Abstract

This study analyzes the intergenerational transmission of environmental concern. More specifically, the direct influence of the environmental concern of mother and father and the intermediary effect of communication about environmental problems within the family is investigated. Furthermore, the paper explores gender-specific patterns in the transmission of environmental concern. The data used in this paper stem from the Parent-Child Socialization Study (PCSS, 2012), in which 3,426 15-year old Flemish adolescents and both their parents were questioned about their social and political attitudes. The results clearly confirm the transmission hypothesis: the environmental concern of both mother and father had a signifi cant influence on the environmental concern of the offspring. Strong transmission effects were especially found in families that communicate regularly about the environment. This effect was stronger for girls than for boys. Nevertheless, there is still room for other influences with regard to the development of environmental concern, indicating that environmentalism is not a core-attitude within families.