Anya Bhatnagar

Are people’s hobbies determined by their parents' values or their own?

Started Feb. 12, 2024

Abstract or project description

My study investigated whether individuals' hobbies were influenced more significantly by their parents' values or by their own personal preferences. By examining a range of previously written research papers and conducting a survey, I aimed to discern patterns and correlations between parental influence and the development of personal hobbies. I used an anonymous survey with questions adapted from previous studies, which I sent to my friends and family to gather data. I considered a few different groups during my research, including sex and age. I aimed for 40 participants but ended up with a final sample size of N=37. I originally thought women would be more influenced by parental expectations, but my data showed no evidence of this pattern. The fact that my findings were partially correct suggests a link does indeed exist between these groups and their vulnerability to persuasion. However, it does mean further research is required and that I do have a need to consider alternative explanations of the results. This research dived into the nature versus nurture debate, aiming to highlight whether individuals prioritized their own inclinations or those for which they sought approval, specifically from their parents. Individuals ended up prioritizingprioitizing fun for their own hobbies. This shows that people pursue hobbies based on their own motivations rather than other people’s expectations. Through this study, I hoped to contribute to the broader understanding of this debate, offering insights into how familial and personal factors shape leisure activities.