What is it about?
As beliefs about meritocracy are prevalent in Western countries and have been linked to youth outcomes, this study explored how parents convey messages about meritocracy to their children. We interviewed parents from diverse socioeconomic and racial/ethnic backgrounds in the United States and United Kingdom. Results indicate that all parents emphasized messages aligned with meritocracy, adhering to individualist views of economic success. Many also pushed back certain themes related to meritocracy, such as materialism.
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This page is a summary of: “The ball is in his court. It’s up to him”: Parental communication about meritocracy., Developmental Psychology, October 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/dev0002087.
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