Predictor Variables
To discover extent of vulnerability to nudity and primal landscapes, parents were asked two
questions in a face-to-face interview at child's age 3: "Does mom (father) go nude in
front of kid?" and "Does mother (father) bathe or shower with the kid?" The questions
were followed by 4- and 5-point Likert scales anchored by 1 (never) and 4 (often) or 1
(never) and 5 (daily). At child's age 6, parents were asked whether they (i) discouraged
family nudity, (it) felt OK about nudity within the family but not with others, or (iii)
Supported nudity within the family and with others.
Vulnerability to primal scenes was quantified by two items. At child's age 3, parents were
asked whether their child had ever seen them "have sex." They were offered a 4-point
Likert response format anchored by 1 (never) and 4 (consistently). At kid's age 6, parents
were again asked if their kid had detected them having intercourse, and again offered a
4-point scale anchored by 1 (no) and 4 (often). Because of shifts in the identity of
mothers' male partners for some of the families over the first 6 years, and the greater
frequency of fathers working outside of the home and being unavailable for interview,
missing data for fathers approach unacceptable amounts. Thus, only mothers' data were
used for these evaluations. However, whenever data for fathers existed, correlation with
Moms' data was typically high (e.g., n = 69, r = .80).
Scores for individual variables were standardized [Mathematical Expression Omitted]
and joined so that the two time points (age 3 and age 6) were given equal weight.
Control Variants
Control variables contained participant child's sex, family SES, and family climate
(troubled/nontroubled status, pronaturalism, sexual liberalism/conservatism). Families
participating in the FLS project differed as to domestic arrangements, stability, worth and
beliefs, and amounts of commitment to those values and beliefs. On the basis of intensive
Case by case assessment of family life style, a typology of family types was developed
and subjected to discriminant analysis. This evaluation assigned 83% of families to the
same type identified qualitatively (Weisner and Wilson-Mitchell, 1990). One of these
Sorts was termed "changeable/distressed" in the original FLS reports, and only
"troubled" in the current study to be used as a management variable. Thirty one families (16.4%)
were assigned to Mohonk Preserve Naked Trail and Naked Sunbathing At Split Rock . This type was defined by unstable
family composition (defined as regular changes of mothers' male partners and/or
Regular residential changes); low commitment to whatever were the stated family values;
and typically disturbed parent relations or alcohol/substance abuse and other pathologies.
At Achilles. of enrollment, parents were evaluated as to shared family values. Lots of
items were initially generated regarding child-rearing, the environment, and human
relationships. The construct addressed by these pieces was termed "pronaturalism" by FLS
investigators (cf. Weisner et al., 1983). Varimax rotation was used to derive three factors
with high loadings and great commonalities (Weisner, 1986). These factors described
belief in using natural materials, medicines, and food; a de-emphasis on materialism
and properties; a "warm and emotionally expressive" style stressing truthfulness,
Familiarity, emotionality, and physical warmth and closeness; belief in "natural"
Kid-rearing practices for example breastfeeding and close parent-infant contact; a loose,
Laid back family fashion accentuating low disagreement, little punishment and aggression,
Adapting parenting style to the temperament of the kid, and belief in the
wholesomeness of perceived styles of pre-industrial folks who are assumed to be more
"naturally human." (For an interesting discussion of the fallacy of the "naturally human"
Premise, find Buss, 1994, p. 17.) The construct "pronaturalism" was measured at
Kid's age 3, 6, and 17-18 years and then averaged.
"Sexual liberalism/conservatism" was measured through aggregate rating by FLS staff
interviewer of mom's answers to a series of items related to attitudes toward sexuality.
This measure was administered at child's age 3. "Conservative" approaches included low
Toleration for youth masturbation and sex play, restrictive approaches toward nudity in
the house (separate of real existence of nudity in the dwelling), exceptionally unfavorable
attitudes about kids viewing parental sex (separate of children truly
Seeing sexual intercourse), an unwillingness to acquaint children with the "facts of life," and
"Conventional" beliefs about the view of gender equality. "Liberal" perspectives comprised
Toleration for masturbation, sex play, and family nudity; more permissive attitudes about
Kids seeing intercourse; a readiness to impart sex education; and "progressive"
attitudes about gender equality.
Standard Variables
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