Globalization and the Changing Pattern of Parent-Child Relationship: A Case Study on Dhaka City

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the changing pattern of parent child-relationship in terms of globalization that is encouraged by communications technology and western culture. Therefore, the present study aims to critically explore the recent changes in parent-child relationship due to the increasing dependence on the uses of mobile phone, Skype, facebook, tweeter etc. by the students studying in different educational institutions of Dhaka city. Research suggests that respondents who frequently use the communication technologies (mobile phone, internet etc.) and accustomed to western culture are more likely to feel less bonded with their parents. This study, solely, investigated the correlations between the usage of communications technology and the contemporary changing pattern of parent child relationships among the students of Bangladesh. It revealed that the respondents who spend huge time using the communications technology got influenced by western culture such as practices of premarital sex and live together cultures and thus they unintentionally draw a border line from their parents. Moreover, parents’ lack of quality time giving with their children was found to be one of the prime reasons of the recent gap between parent and children. The study uses quantitative method of data collection. Samples are selected using simple random sampling procedure for the survey. A number of 384 students of the University of Dhaka, Motijheel Ideal School and College and Maple Leaf International School are interviewed. The theoretical foundation of this study is Bengtson’s theory of ‘intergenerational solidarity’ where he showed that lack of exchanging information, emotional support, functional assistance and social integration affect parent-child relationship. Results of the logistic regression indicate the importance of items of globalization in determining the pattern of parent-child relationship such as addiction to communications technology (R2=0.22, p<0.001), accustomed to western culture (R2 = 0.17, p<0.08) and external relations (R2=0.15, p<0.001). Findings suggest a significant relationship between communications technology and the changing pattern of parent-child relations. Findings also show that most of the respondents being influenced by western culture that reach to them via dish antenna and Internet prefer to spend less time with their parents.