In a series of studies designed to assess knowledge of family history, researcher Marshall Duke and colleagues asked children twenty questions about their family. Example questions included: Do you know where your grandparents met? Do you know where your parents were married? Do you know the source of your name? Do you know who in your family you act most like? Do you know some awards your parents earned when they were young? (You can see all twenty questions here.)
The researchers found that children who knew more about their family histories had higher self-esteem, lower levels of anxiety, a stronger sense of control over their lives, fewer behavioral or emotional problems, and a stronger sense that they came from a successful family. But it’s important to note that it’s not having the answers that produces the favorable outcomes. It’s how the children came to know the answers. Children who scored highly on the test were from families where information about family history was shared across the generations. The research from Duke and colleagues indicates that children are more likely to be well-adjusted if they come from families that talk about themselves and their history.
And not just the good stuff like family achievements, but the challenges and the unusual episodes too. It’s important for children to know about setbacks that the family overcame, about crazy Uncle Billy and silly Aunt Sally, and about what their parents were like in high school. And don’t forget to tell them what happened when grandma tried to go horseback riding, when grandpa tried to fix a leaking radiator in the dark, and when cousin Johnny brought a ferret to the prom.
Pull out the family scrapbook and tell children stories about the tribe they’re a part of. Duke’s research suggests that it will be time very well spent.
Originally posted on mouthpeaceconsulting.com.