Contexts,relationship quality,and family value socialization: The case of parent–school ideological fit in Israel

Parent–school ideological fit is studied as the context of parent–child relationships and socialization. It was hypothesized that parents’ choice of school environments that promote values consistent with parents’ values is related to a better parent–child relationship and facilitates socialization. Participants were 589 Israeli families with religious, traditional, and nonreligious parents, whose adolescent children attended either religious or nonreligious schools. Most parents chose high–fit contexts—that is, schools that fit their own values. Parents in high–fit contexts exhibited relatively higher levels of value consistency, but lower levels of value discussion with their children. Value conflict with parents was lower in high–fit contexts, and the relationship with the father, but not with the mother, was warmer and closer. Accuracy of perception and acceptance of parental values, and parent–child value congruence were higher in high fit contexts, an effect partially mediated by relationship characteristics. The relevance of fit for family relationships, socialization, and school adaptation is discussed.