Social norms of accompanied young children and observed crossing behaviors.
BACKGROUND
Social norms for accompanied young children and crossing behaviors were examined in two studies conducted in an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Israel.


METHODS
In Study 1, road behaviors of young children crossing with and without accompaniment and older children were observed, and the actual social norm for accompanied school children younger than 9-years-old was examined. In Study 2, the perceived norm of accompaniment was tested by questionnaires.


RESULTS
Young children who crossed without accompaniment exhibited poorer crossing skills compared to older children and to young children crossing with accompaniment. In the four locations observed, the actual accompaniment rate ranged between 15%-60%. The perceived social norm for child accompaniment was lower than the actual norm.


CONCLUSIONS
The discussion refers to both theoretical issues and their practical implications.
Rosenbloom
Tova
T
The Research Institute of Human Factors in Road Safety, Department of Behavioral Studies, College of Management, Academic Studies, Israel. rosenbt1@mail.biu.ac.il
Sapir-Lavid
Yael
Y
Hadari-Carmi
Ofri
O
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D007599:Judaism; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting; D012449:Safety; D012945:Social Values; D016138:Walking / Q000592:standards*