Children’s influence on consumption-related decisions in single-mother families: Research review and Agenda

Abstract

Although social scientists have identified diverse behavioral patterns among children from dissimilarly structured families, scholars have progressed little in relating modern family processes to consumption-related decisions. Based on gaps and limitations identified in a review of the existing consumer decision-making literature, this study examines how children influence family consumption decision-making in single-mother families and posits a conceptual framework that integrates normative resource exchange theory with existing consumer decision-making model theory. The implications for a better understanding of processes rather than prevalent outcome-oriented focus for future research purposes are also discussed.

Keywords

• children from single mother families
• family decision-making
• consumer decision-making
• social exchange theories
• normative resource exchange theory