The impact of family socialization on

development of ecology consciousness at

Violeta Barjaktarovic children - Example of Montenegro

Violeta Barjaktarovic1 Original scientific paper

University in Kosovska Mitrovica UDC 504.03:001.892(497.16)
Faculty of Philosophy DOI 10.7251/SDENG1611037B
Department Sociology Accepted 20.05.2016

The impact of family socialization on development

of ecology consciousness at children - Example of
Montenegro

Abstract

This scientific work analyses the results of research on the impact of

family and youth ecological awareness in Montenegro. The survey
was conducted on a sample of 454 respondents aged over 25 years.
Respondents expressed their views on their own perception of envi-
ronmental problems, ecological awareness and environmental behav-
ior in their community about the need to adopt the necessary ecolog-
ical value, possibilities and importance of ecological education. The
first part provides review of attitudes towards environmental issues in
modern world representing different authors, scientists and research-
es in the field of ecology, sociology and anthropology.

Key words: ecological consciousness, ecological problems, ecological value, ecologi-

cal education and family influence.

Introduction

Our research in based both on relative literature and the empirical data
collected about the development of ecological consciousness, both in chil-
dren and adults who through their know ledge of family socialization of atti-
tudes and benefits, passed on their descendents.
1
Master of Sociology Еmail: [email protected]

37
Sociological discourse, year 6, number 11 / June 2016 37-56

During the writing of the work, as well as collecting the necessary data,
we discussed some basic factors that influence in development of ecological
awareness, such as socio-economic factors that may influence family organ-
izations and in institutions (schools, work and business groups) of environ-
mental associations and so on ecological awareness of children and young
people as well what should be changed.
In the respondents are dissatisfied of environmental conditions.
We think that ecology, environmental issues and environmental problems
is the most important question in life of modern man.In fact, the area of en-
vironmental protection is the one of the six most important areas (politics,
security, economy, culture, tehnology and ecology.2
They are engaged researches scientists, educators, educational systems and
national policy in the countries in the world. We want to perceive the both in
children level of development of environmental consciousness (awareness).
And in adults who have a primary influence on their socialization taking
into account the environmental conditions in Montenegro. As well as assum-
tions taken from to global environmental opportunities as well as those in
Montenegro.

1. Review of literature

1.1. Ecological problems

Since the mid sementies sociolology and cultural studies point to the es-
sence of environmental problems, as well as man made civilizational prob-
lems, which occur in relation definitely man and nature. An imbalance be-
tween man and nature –natural social relationship again. Ask fundamental
question about the relationship between culture and society and nature the
environment, question of man’s anthropological perspective.3
Today in the second decade of the 21 st century ecological problems be-
came one of the most pressing issues in the scientific, educational and media
2
According to Thomas Friedman, politics, security, finance, culture, technology and ecology
of the areas that must be carefully and constantly pročavati not only scientists but also journal-
ists. Sam Friedman makes these in his book on the scenic way using examples from their own
experience. See: Thomas L. Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive, Zagreb: Sources of tomorrow,
2003. p.31-37.
3
Ivan Cifrić, Modern Society and svejetski ethos perspective of human heritage, Zagreb:
Croatian Sociological Association, 2000. Page 193.

38
 The impact of family socialization on
development of ecology consciousness at
Violeta Barjaktarovic children - Example of Montenegro

space. How in the world and in our country, so but the knowledge and infor-
mation in this is of great importance.
Ecological problems also led the ecological crisis of modern that goes
hand in hand with economic social crisis of modern world. It caused numer-
ous atteptets and implementation strategy of solving the crisis.
First of all, by the United nations, as well as on proposal insistence and
pressure of various environmental assotiations and movements around the
world.4 Careless, often hazardous, the use of natural resources is the one of
the first instruments emergence and spreading of modern ecological crisis
that affects on global ecological crisis system 5 The most common environ-
mental problems are pollution, of air, water and soil waist chemical and bi-
ological toxic substances, excessive amounts of waste in solid from which
buries the living room, then over population the land, lack of drinking water
as well as the depletion of the deliberate spreading non renewable natural re-
sources. Degradation of the environment is caused by junk and pollution and
by its physical, biological and chemical activity. Lack of pure drinking water
causes panic in some parts of the country and causing conflicts among the
population. As Roberts says ecological problems have arisen when the service
that offers us Environment becomes insufficient to meet man s need both in
quantitative also in qualitative term.6 Roberts looks at the natural environ-
ment within which such service that gives people of environments to provide
refuge obtain resources for food and meet their spiritual and esthetic need.
Robert emphasizes that environment can be seen as Ecology capital that
people can use of capital.7 Also, Roberts emphasizes that the environment
could be viewed as “ecological capital” that people can use as they are using
a financial capital of ways to use will depend on their living standards, their
peaceful and prosperous (sustainable) life or the life to environmental prob-
lems and ecological crisis. So everything takes place between the resources of
the environment - quality of life of people (individuals and groups).8 If a per-
son’s quality of life is realized at the expense of the environment (its degrada-
4
Here we will mention the “Kyoto Protocol” (The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change) as an international agreement on climate change
that are initiated UN, signed with the aim of reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other
gases that cause the greenhouse effect. Then, the World Conservation Strategy (Strategy for
preservation of the world) launched by the United Nations (FAO) in 1980. As Sustainable De-
velopment (Sustainable Development), a project of the UN-strategy from 1994.
5
Oluk, Sami; Оzalp, Isilay, The Teaching of Global Environmental Problems According to the
Constructivist Appoach: As a Focal Piont of thr Problem and the Availability of Concept Cartoons,
Kuram ve Uygulamada Egitim Bilimleri. Volume:7.Issue:2 Publication date: May 2007.p.35
6
Jane Roberts, Environmental Policy, New York: Routledge, 2004. p. 35.
7
Jane, Roberts , p.6.
8
Jane Roberts p. 37.

39
Sociological discourse, year 6, number 11 / June 2016 37-56

tion), then we can talk about the ecological crisis as a human crisis, a crisis of
humanity or say that “environmental problems still human problems,” related
to the way of satisfying human needs. It can therefore be concluded that the
ecological crisis is part of the social and cultural crisis,9 and that these three
intertwined crises, demand and encourage.  We can talk about three levels
of behavior that lead to the creation of environmental problems and cause
a crisis that can be turned into three levels Nagaon (incentives) for solving
the environmental crisis. These are individual, group and system level caus-
ing ecological crisis or urge to seek a way out of the crisis. Each individual
can behave responsibly and humanely towards living environment, but also
that it destroys every step.  Also it can make and groups (families, schools,
companies) and institutions (laws, standards, inspection, state). Also, we can
talk about three territorial levels, concentric circles, responsibility or irre-
sponsibility to create environmental risks and ecological crisis: the local level
(waste disposal site, contaminated rivers and lakes): regional level (“acid rain”,
a nuclear power plant): Global level (the destruction of biodiversity, ozone
depletion, global warming due to excessive amounts of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere).10 There are countries which are due to its rapid industrial devel-
opment influenced the spread of all three mentioned circle of environmental
risks and ecological crisis. These are the US and Russia in the previous cen-
tury, and China late last during this (XXI) century. Celebrities are pictures of
people in big cities in China go down the street wearing gas masks, to protect
themselves from carbon dioxide and other harmful substances. China is fac-
ing a serious challenge on the destruction of the environment. If we do not
take urgent measures for its protection, will come to the destruction of for-
ests, the extinction of animal and plant species, converting the land into the
wilderness, the disappearance of drinking water and the inability of people to
live in certain urban communities”11.

1.2. Environmental awareness

The guestion is: why does man destroys the environment? One of the rea-
sons is the lack of awareness of importance of the environment as man‘s natu-
ral environment, the source of it s existence, and working and living resources
9
Ivan Cifrić, Modern society and a global ethic, the perspective of the human heritage, Zagreb:
Croatian Sociological Association, 2000, p. 58th
10
A detailed description and analysis of global environmental risks seen in the book: Jeanne
X. Kasperson, Roger Kasperson, Global Environmental Risk, New York: United Nations Uni-
versity Press, 2001a.
11
Darcey J. Goelz, China’s Environmental Problems: Is a Specialized Court the Solution? Wash-
ington: International Law Journal, January 1, 2009.

40
 The impact of family socialization on
development of ecology consciousness at
Violeta Barjaktarovic children - Example of Montenegro

that should be used sparingly. Another reason is the domination of desire and
motivation for achieving the greatest possible profit regardless of the envi-
ronment problems and conseguences. The third reason of poverty is associat-
ed with low level of general culture in particular and environmental culture.
Factors that influence the formation and changing environmental awareness,
attidudes and behavior of people: culture, socialization and education.12 En-
vironmental awareness is associated with the traditional view of the need for
the domination of man over nature and winning the nature. Instead, today
it takes the view that talks about the full balance between man and nature,
human aktivities and natural resources. It takes awareness, “the objective ex-
istence of the ecological crisis, as well as awareness of the environment crisis
as a social crisis.”13 Protecting the environment is an important elemnt in the
survival and maintenance of every community it is not only the need but also
the obligations of individuals and groups in modern consumer 14 society that
its immoderate consumption and production of waste threatens the future
of the next generation. Environmental awareness is important because the
problems of pollution and destruction of the environment can not resolve
laws regulations, modern technology, if people with their behavior, sociali-
zation and everyday acts of neglect harmonious relationship with nature and
natural environment. Environment awareness is a collection of information,
knowledge, values and sense of responsibility for “ the environmental prob-
lems of the citizens” of all educational labor, social and political groups as well
as individuals.15 Pointend out Erten, environmental awareness involves three
important segments: the first, knowledge of the environment, its importance
and its impact on human life; Secondly, the attitude towards the environ-
ment (fear, uncertainty, anger, anxiety, indifference, freedom, beauty, enjoy-
ment) and third , useful behavior towards environment (conservation, main-
tenance of the existing law and order).16 Environmental awareness will not
occur spontaneously, disregarding of their level of economic, social and po-
litical development of society. It must be created, developed and maintained
through the planned and / or spontaneous socialization of early school days
until the ripe old age of every citizen. It is therefore essential that institutions
12
Nora Haenn, Richard R. Wilk, The Environment in Anthropology: A Reader in Ecology, Cul-
ture, and Sustainable Living, New York: New York University Press, 2006. p. 7.
13
Milica Andevski, Razvojne linije ekološkog obrazovanja, Donji Milanovac: Zbornik rado-
va,Ekološka istina, 2002. str.339.
14
Abdullah Karatas, The Role of Faculties of Education in Increasing Sustainable Environmental
Awareness of Society, European Journal of Sustainable Development, October 1, 2013. p. 234.
15
Abdullah Karatas, Isto, p. 235.
16
Sinan Erten, S. (2012). Environmental Consciousness among Turkish and Azeri Candidate
Teachers. Education and Science. 2012.Vol. 37, No 166, p. 91-92

41
Sociological discourse, year 6, number 11 / June 2016 37-56

(schools, local communities) and civil associations to develop strategies for

the preservation of the environment. Strategies include periodically inform
as many citizens of the state of the of the environment in their immediate,
surroundings, and the celebrations marking the day of the environment, pro-
motion of activities that will make everyone responsible for the environment,
rewardingthose who contribute to the protectionof the environment constant
school and informal education, especially children and youth on environ-
mental issues and environmental situation.17

1.3. Ecological value

Attitudes forwards environment depends on the evoluation of individuals,

groups and society. It is very important to emphasize an environment values
as part of the total social value. “Eco-humanist values include social behavior,
moral development, and ecological behavior. Thanks to these values and its
appliance children feel respect and admiration for what people have not cre-
ated, the living and non- living world that surrounds it, the responsibility and
the need to meet and keep it.18 Ecological values are part of the culture, both
traditional and modern and contemporary culture, because different cultures
produce different ecological values. Ecological values can be divided into sev-
eral levels, such as universal values, global, national, local, group ( collective)
and individual values. Universal values mean a sense of unity between man
and nature, treating a man as a natural being; the feeling of injustice for all
damages inflicted upon flora and fauna, realizing that well- being of human
life is linked with environmental protection; understanding that market and
profit could not be mor important than environmental protection. Global
values mean people should do everything to prevent certain plant and animal
species; extinction that the creators of technological and scientific progress
have in mind that their products can damage the environment (“greenhouse”,
“acid rain”, damaged the ozone layer, radioactive and non-biodegradable ma-
terials); that international institution (UN, EU, World Bank, IMF, WTO and
the WTO) should show more responsibility while making decisions, reso-
lutions and warnings towards multinacional companies and national gov-
ernments in order to take measures protecting the environment. National
environmental values are related to the responsibility to governments and
systems of individual countries in building a sustainable society, economi-
17
Zhou Hui; Zhang Tingqin, A Research on the Methods and Strategies for Developing Citizens’
Environmental Awareness and Advancing Citizens’ Environmental Contributive Actions, Cana-
dian Social Science, March 1, 2015
18
Emil Kamenov, Opšte osnove pedagoškog programa, Novi Sad: Dragon, 2007.

42
 The impact of family socialization on
development of ecology consciousness at
Violeta Barjaktarovic children - Example of Montenegro

cally, socially and culturally developed that will protect the environment and
its resources. 19Local, group or individual level of environmental values imply
a feeling of shame and quilt over the bad condition of rivers, forests, lakes,
sea, beaches, roads, quarries, streets, squares, gardens and huge urban and
suburban deponia.20

1.4. Environmental education

Environmental education is a set of institutional, formal or school, as well

as informal (ecological groups, spontaneous astions of citizens, NGO) activ-
ites that people familiar with the forms and substance of ecological prob-
lems and environmental problems. The goal of environmental education is
to encourage awareness of citizents, escecially young people, in a humane,
creative and responsible attitude towards their environment. Only informed
and environmentally educated person is aware of the need preserve a healthy
and clean environment as part of his own existence and culture. Formal and
informal environmental education provides an opportunity to citizens (es-
pecially children and youth) of a community, through lectures and hands-on
activities, to acquire the necessary knowledge and information or preserving
and improving the environment.
Environmental education should include the entire educational system of
the environment, but be continued in the area out of school throught plan-
ning and implementation of its direct action in order to protect and preserve
the environment. Therefore, environmental education begins in elementary
school continues through secondary and higher education and then through
formal education conducts and implements directly in the daily activities of
people in their immediate and wider environment.21 Environmental edu-
cation has several levels: education through teaching, school programs and
courses, then education through media information, acquiring skills through
practical activities in environmental groups, undertakings and institutions in
society. The objective and the role of environmental education is to prepare,
train and teach people, especially young people, to be reasonable, tolerant,
practical and responsible, to understand that environmental degradation is
at the same time endangering themselves, their living environment and en-
19
Jouni Paavola, Ian Lowe, Environmental Values in a Globalising World: Nature, Justice, and
Governance, New York: Routledge, 2005. pp. 29-34
20
John O’Neill, Alan Holland and Andrew Light, Environmental Values, New York: Routledge,
2008. pp. 4-8.
21
Joy A.Palmer, Environmental Education in the 21st Century: Theory, Practice, Progress and
Promise, London and New York: Routledge, 1998.

43
Sociological discourse, year 6, number 11 / June 2016 37-56

dangering the entire mankind. No matter that the environmental education

is for thirty years part of the education system and informal education in
developed countries, environmental problems and ecological crisis contin-
ues to increase and deepen. From this perspective, we can talk bout the fail-
ure of environmental education. Analyzing the results and effects of current
environmental education in develooed countries in the West, especially the
United States, Selenium and Blumstein recognize that environmental educa-
tion failed to bring about changes in attitude and behavior of people which
is necessary in order to prevent harmful climate changes, loss of biodiversity
and degradation of the environment as the three worst consequences of mod-
ern human behavior, threatening the rapid deterioration of life in Earth.22 No
matter, scientists warnings or devastating consequences of climate change,
there is no collective consciousness and collective activities more relevant in
reducting and stopping those consequences. This collective inability to get
people to behave more responsible towards the environment, in a certain de-
gres is the results of the educational institutions that do not provide what is
necessary for critical thinking and understanding of contemporary society.23
Selenium and Blumstein point our that environmental education has not,
built the two most important instruments of a free and democratic society,
individual responsibility and social commitment. Therefore, they ask, What
is wrong, environmental education aand entire education, and state that both
are because environmental education is not only a subgroup of the gener-
al education which teaches people about the psysical environment, but also
eductes people about building sustainable society. They emphasize that the
main cause of this general thinking that man is the master of everyting, so as
the environment.24 Thus, environmental education needs significant creative,
meaningful, purposeful incentives in order to stop further degradation of the
environment.

1.5. Family and environmental awareness

Family as one of the primary and multifunctional social groups has an

invaluable role in society. At all stages of organizational forms of human so-
ciety, the family is the cornerstone of society. The family, in the first place,
provides the ability to meet the needs for intimacy and understanding of its
members, then the economical and psychological stability, security, and ap-
plication of the rules od behavior and education. So, the family is a place
22
Charles Saylan and Daniel T. Blumstein, The Failure of Environmental Education (and How
We Can Fix It), Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2011. p. 4.
23
Charles Saylan and Daniel T. Blumstein, Isto, p. 6.
24
Isto, pp. 21, 38.

44
 The impact of family socialization on
development of ecology consciousness at
Violeta Barjaktarovic children - Example of Montenegro

of acquiring cultural values, a place where a man socializes a place where

they acquire first knowledge and achieve education whose ultimate outcome
is development on capabilities. When it comes to violence and its impacts
on the development of environmental awareness in children it is important
to mention the gender differences. Men have a higher degree to knowledge
about the environmental risks, but exhibit a less degree of care. It can be said
that women are increasingy interested in environmental issues, and the role
of women, acqiried during the socialization process, shows more worry about
others and exhibit a higher degree of altruism.25 Families and parents are, first
and foremost, responsible for transmitting information about the future of
the world and the preservation of the planet, studying acceptable environ-
mental problems, especially if one takes into account that the planet Earth is
increasingy threatened. Ecological socialization should be taking up more of
the total family socialization in contemporary society.

2. Metological approach

2.1. The subject of research, objective and hypotheses

Subject of empirical research in this paper we set up a question: What is

the influence of the family, parents and family socialization on the develop-
ment of environmental awareness in Montenegro? The aim of the research in
to describe the state of mind of children and young people in Montenegro,
to detect the influence of family and opportunity for environmental sociali-
zation.
H1: Family influence on childrens environmental awareness is very low
because the environmental awareness of adults is not suffucuently developed.
H2: The information on the ecological state of planet Earth are at low level.
H3: Parents influence the development of environmental behavior.
H4: Adults think that children in institutions and groups (schools, kinder-
gartens, environmental associations) should develop knowledge about ecolo-
gy and environmental rules of conduct, more than in a family.
H5: According to citizens perception, Montenegro justifies the fact that it
is an ecological state.

25
Rachel Stein, New Perspectives on Environmental Justice: Gender, Sexuality, and Activism,
New Brunswick, New York:Rougers University Press, 2004.

45
Sociological discourse, year 6, number 11 / June 2016 37-56

2.2. Characteristics of the sample survey

Of attitudes and general knowledge of ecological awareness and environ-

mental situation in Montenegro, as well as influence of the family on the envi-
ronmental awareness of children was conducted using a survey questionnaire
on the total sample of 454 respondents. Respondents were interviewed in all
parts of Montenegro, Which included urban, suburban and rural areas. The
questionnaire was sybjected to statistical analysis by means of which the rele-
vant data were obtained by the research target. To these and other indicators
we have come through research conducted during May, June ane July 2015,
on a sample of 454 respondents, of which 56.7% were women 43.3% men. The
sample consisted of individuals older than 25 years/ Respondents in the sam-
ple (age) were divided into four categories: 25-30 years (group which mainly
targeted young single people but with developed environmental awareness of
their surroundings): 31-40 years old (the group that has its own families and
relatively developed environmental awareness): 41-50 years (category which
in the most cases has children and grandchildren also relatively developed
sence of environmental problems: 51 years and over (a category which also
has descendants and well-developed environmental consciousness).
This research included respondents from all over Montenegro, out of
which 43.3% of respondents come from urban, urban areas, 28.9% from
sururban areas and 27.8% in rural areas which provides the necessary sample
representatives for the research. The selection of respondents from the basic
set-elected was partly targeted pattern, because we had to include respond-
ents who have children and grandchildren and who are older than 25 years.
Processing of data obtained from the questinonnaire was carries out with the
help of SPSS software programe.

3. Analysis of the results of research

Since we have chosen degree of influence of the family on childrens en-

vironmental awareness as a subject matter important no note that we were
specifically searched for those respondents who have children and grand-
children. To the question Do you have children or grandchildren? 72.2% od
respondents expressed numerically or 328 persons has answered positively,
while 27.8% or 126 respondents , curcled NO.

46
 The impact of family socialization on
development of ecology consciousness at
Violeta Barjaktarovic children - Example of Montenegro

3.1. The perception of the pollution of the planet

Initial phase of our research is focused on the general perception of re-

spondents about the level of pollution of the Earth. The respondents were to
express their presonaal level to agreement or disagreement with the claims-
The earth is not polluted where absolutely stacking showed 55.6% of respond-
ents, while the same value for the claim-Earth is not much polluted goes down
to a smaller proportion (40%). Taking into account, which means that more
than half od respondents believe that the Earth is not, or at least not much
polluted tells about the fact that they are not sufficiently informed about en-
vironmental issues as theating the global level. The views that show the de-
gree of dis agreement with considerable, even critical pollution of the Earth
are shown in the following parameters, 34.4% of respondents agree with the
statement that the Earth is critically polluted, whilr 32.2% of them claims to
be pretty polluted. To learn about the requirements for obtaining a general
environmental awareness, we set up the question to respondents. Are you
following and reading something about the rules of environmental behavior
and concerns about the environment? We got the following results:28.8% of
respondents said that they read literature related to environmental issues and
policies, 55.6% responded sometimes, which is the highest percentage, while
15,6% of them, or outnumbered 71 people responded that they never read
this kind of literature. In order to get a better insight into the monitoring of
environmental problems, we crossed and aanswers to the previous question
with the variables gender and age and gor the data displayed in Table 1.
Tabela 1.

Table 1.

Do you follow and read about the rules

ecological behavior and concerns about the
Total
environment?
Never Sometimes Often
Count 25 137 35 197
Male
% within Pol 12.8% 69.2% 17.9% 100.0%
Gender
Count 46 115 96 257
Female
% within Pol 17.9% 44.7% 28.3% 100.0%
Count 71 252 131 454
Total
% within Pol 15.6% 55.6% 28.8% 100.0%

From this table, we see clearly that the relationship between the sexes there are more women that often accompany and
47sometimes work me
and care about the environment (28.3%) while there is higher percentage of men than women who

12.8% of men and 17.9% of women. 71 of total respondents never follow or read something about the rules of environm

concerns about the environment. When we crossed the same question with the age we gotan interesting results. Specific
Sociological discourse, year 6, number 11 / June 2016 37-56

From this table, we see clearly that the relationship between the sexes there
are more women that often accompany and read ecological literature and care
about the environment (28.3%) while there is higher percentage of men than
women who sometimes work mentioned above (69.2%). 12.8% of men and
17.9% of women. 71 of total respondents never follow or read something
about the rules of environmental behavior and concerns about the environ-
ment. When we crossed the same question with the age we got an interesting
results. Specifically, the group of respondents, of 25-30 years in most of the
69 % sometimes accompanies and read literature about ecological behavior
and preservation of the environment, group 31-40 also on the same question
gives answers sometimes (54.7%)but the high percentage of those who are
dissuading option often (30.2%). Respondents ages 41-50 gaave the following
answers: frequently 40%: Sometimes -50%: Never 10%. Category 51 or more
on this issue, the highest percentage, the option never responded (47.9%).

3.2. The presence of environmental issues in the family socialization

One of the key issues in this study is certainly the one related to parental
influence on the development of childrens awareness of environmental prob-
lems, which is in the questionnaire expressed through concrete problems
such as pollution of rivers, forests, land properly waste disposal etc. That is
why we put the question to respondents Do you talk to your children (grand-
childred) about environmental issues? Got visible results from the chart 1.

Chart 1.

48
 The impact of family socialization on
development of ecology consciousness at
Violeta Barjaktarovic children - Example of Montenegro

The graph clearly evident we miss the single category out of respondents
who have no children/ grandchildren) their percentage od 27/7% the largest
number of individuals surveyed only sometimes talk to children about envi-
ronmental problems (53.6%) then an encouraging 35.6% discusses regularly
with children/grandchildren of the above mentioned issues, while 10.8% of
respondents or 35 of the total number consider that it should be only teach-
ers in the school. We were interested in to see how the affects the presence
of housing issues and problems of ecology in living place. Data are shown in
the chart 2.

Chart 2.

The graph shows the largest number of respondents from urban areas de-
velop awareness of environmental problems with descendents Yes is closen
by 43.6% Sometimes, 12.8%No, let the teachers do it in the schools 3%. In the
suburbs, also excluding the categories that have no descendants (19.7%) the
results are as follows: Yes 42.3% which is, again, the highest percentage in this
group, Sometimes, 34.2%, No let the teachers do it in the school 3.8%. When
we talk about rural areas, therefore the villages, most respondents circled the
answer “Sometimes” 43.9% followed by Yes, 22.5% while for the answer num-
ber there chose them 17.8 %. In this group, 15.8% respondents have no chil-
dren or grandchildren.

3.3. Environmental awareness

Of adult members in the Montenegrin families in order to find out what is

the level of personal awareness of adult family members, we set up a group of
guestions that indirectly reveal their behavior towards the environment and
49
 3.3. Environmental awareness

Of adult members in the Montenegrin families in order to find out what is the level of personal awareness of adult family
Sociological discourse,
group of guestions year 6,reveal
that indirectly number
their 11 / June
behavior 2016the environment and thus overall
towards 37-56level of resources for th
environmental awarness and its transfer to the younger members. Respodents were supposed to express their agreement
thus overall level of resources for the acguisition of environmental awarness
and its transfer
presented to the
in the tables that younger
follow. members. Respodents were supposed to ex-
press their agreement with the views presented in the tables that follow.
Table 2:

Table 2.

"I'm saving energy (light, water, heating)" Percent

Degree of agreement Always 26.7%
Sometimes 33.3%
Rarely 21.1%
Never 18.9%
Total 100.0%

Table 2 “ I Save energy ( light, water, heating)’’ Percentage degree of agreement always 26.7% Sometimes 33.3% Rarely 21
Table 2 “I Save energy (light, water, heating)’’ Percentage degree of agree-
ment always
100.0%. 26.7%
The table 2 weSometimes 33.3%
can conclude that Rarelyof21.1%
the majority Never
respondents 18.9%energy
conserve Totaland
100.0%.
behave responsibly towards e
The
thattable 2 citizens
40% of we canhaveconclude thatofthe
no awareness the majority
need to saveof respondents
energy, conserve
but also boasts wastefulenergy
and irresponsible towards this
and behave responsibly towards energy resources but also that 40% of citizens
have no awareness of the need to save energy, but also boasts wasteful and
irresponsible towards this natural resource.
Table 3:

Table 3.

Strolled across the lawn because it is closer to go short cut Percent

Degree of agreement Always 38.9%

Sometimes 44.4%
Rarely 10.0%
Never 6.7%
Total 100.0%

I go across the lawn because it is closer to go short cut “ Percentage degree

of agreement always 38.9% Sometimes 44.4% Rarely 10.0% Never 6.7% Total
100.0%. The attitude towards the greean surface (in this case grass) reveals
I go across the lawn because it is closer to go short cut “ Percentage degree of agreement always 38.9% Sometimes 44.4%
an even lower level of environmental awareness among Montenegrin citizens
6.7% Total 100.0%. The attitude towards the greean surface ( in this case grass) reveals an even lower level of environmen
and therefore reduction of the potential on positive impact on family forma-
tion developing
Montenegrin environmental
citizens awareness
and therefore reduction amongon
of the potential children and youth.
positive impact on family formation developing enviro

among children and youth.

Table 4:

50
 among children and youth.

The impact of family socialization on

Table 4: development of ecology consciousness at
Violeta Barjaktarovic children - Example of Montenegro

Table 4.

I throw the garbage where it is convenient for me if me no Percent

one else sees
Degree of agreement Always 47.8%
Sometimes 28.9%
Rarely 7.8%
Never 15.6%
Total 100.0%

Table 4 “I throw the waste where convenient for me only if nobody else
sees” Percentage level of stacking 47.8% Always Sometimes Rarely 28.9%
Never
Table 47.8% 15.6
“ I throw theTotal 100.0%.The
waste where convenientfact
for methat
only76.7% of else
if nobody respodents throw
sees” Percentage litter
level of stacking 47.8% Alwa
on the sidewalk, street, the green surface and the like. If no one sees them, is
Never 7.8% 15.6 Total 100.0%.The fact that 76.7% of respodents throw litter on the sidewalk, street, the green surface a
a disappointing and painful fact of spontaneous ecological awareness among
adult
them,citizens of Montenegro
is a disappointing and painful (Table 4).
fact of spontaneous ecological awareness among adult citizens of Montenegro (Ta

However, we find one significant contradiction in the spontaneous behav-

However, we find one significant contradiction in the spontaneous behavior of citizens towards others that pollute the
ior of citizens towards others that pollute the environment. We set up the
the guestion
guestion whether respodents
whether respodents would react ifreact
would they happen
if they to others
happen polluting the environmental
to others polluting and come up with
the environmental
67.8% of peoples involvedandin come up with
this research encouraging
are always or sometimes results
warningthat 67.8%that
individuals of behave
peo- ecologically unacc
ples involved in this research are always or sometimes warning individuals
Table
that 5 “ When
behave I notice that someone
ecologically pollutes the
unacceptable environment,
( Table 5). I always warn him “Percentage degree of agreement
Table
36.7% 5 “21.1
Rarely When I notice
% Never that 100.0%.
11.1% Total someone pollutes the environment, I always
warn him “Percentage degree of agreement always 31.1% Sometimes 36.7%
Rarely 21.1 % Never 11.1% Total 100.0%.
Table 5:

Table 5.

"When I notice that someone pollutes the

Percent
environmentmake sure to warn "
Always 31.1%
Degree of agreement Sometimes 36.7%
Rarely 21.1%
Never 11.1%
Total 100.0%

3.4. Awareness of the need for environmental educations of children and youth

51
Once again, the key theme of this work- family influence on the development of environmental awareness of children –

our respodents about the need for environmental education as an important mechanism for the acguisition of environm

Montenegro. To learn something about it, we asked , “ Do you think children should be environmentally educated”? Th
Sociological discourse, year 6, number 11 / June 2016 37-56

3.4. Awareness of the need for environmental educations of children

and youth

Once again, the key theme of this work- family influence on the devel-
opment of environmental awareness of children –presents percepation of
our respodents about the need for environmental education as an important
mechanism for the acguisition of environmental awareness in Montenegro.
To learn something about it, we asked, “Do you think children should be
environmentally educated”? The analysis of responses helped us to receive
the following information: 2.2% of respodents believe that children should be
educated only at school; the same percentage of respodents think that finding
out about the environmental conditions need to be learnt only in the family:
3.3 % of respodents believe that the younger generations shouldn’t reguire
environmental socialization, and that they will deal with their own life, while
the greatest number, percentage of them 92.2%, believe that children should
be environmentally educated in the family and at school. This is certainly
the greatest potential for development of ecological awareness among Mon-
tenegrin citizens, but that potential can only be formal and deceptive if it is
not accompanied by immediate and proper attitude towards the environment
through daily behavior of citizens, if it is not supported by local and state
authorities.

3.5. Environmental activism and “ecological state”

Declares the guestion whether Montenegro justifies the fact being an eco-
logical state “respodents gave the following answers: 7.8% answered with “Yes,
completely”; 30% chose the answer “Yes, only partially“, while 34.4% of the
sample believes that Montenegro does not justify that position. 27.8% opted
for the “can not judge”. Continuing in a similar context we asked the guestion
regarding the environmental conditions and the situation Montenegro get-
ting closer to the European Union and we see that most of our respondents
believe that there is a very small or invisible progress in improving policies
and practices on environmental protection.

52
 ition. 27.8% opted for the “ can not judge”. Continuing in a similar context we asked the guestion regarding the environmental conditio

d the situation Montenegro getting closer to the European Union and we The
see that most of
impact of our respondents
family believe that
socialization on there is a very sm
development
isible progress in improving policies and practices on environmental protection . of ecology consciousness at
Violeta Barjaktarovic children - Example of Montenegro
ble 6.

Table 6.

Is that, in your opinion, Montenegro, closer to EU enhance Percent

environmental policy?
Yes, very clearly 11.1%

Very little 33.3%

Assessment of Not visible 30.0%
the state
I can't estimate 25.6%

Total 100.0%

Table 6. In your opinion did Montenegro, approaching the EU improved

its environmental policy? Percentage assessment of the situations Yes, very
evident very little 11.1%, 33.3% No, it is not clear 30.0%. Can not estimate
25.6% Total 100.0%. Once again returning to a focus of this study we want-
ed to examine opportunities of environmental activism and environmental
organizations in Montenegro both in children and adults. To the guestion
“Do you believe that Montenegro has enough environmental organizations
and activities for children of school age“? Most respondents think that there
is not enough (40%) or no (6.6%), while 6.7% think that there are enough
associations and actions that prepare children for a desirable positive atti-
tude towards the environment. Also, we see that a large number of adults, or
respodents in our research, are not members of any environmental associa-
tion (Chart 3), but sometimes participate, environmental actions (48,9%), but
there also a large percentage of those who are not members of environmental
associations and never participate activies (42.2%), which once again is an in-
dicator that shows that small ecological activism may take part in absence of
the potential for raising environmental awareness among citizens (especially
young people) in Montenegro.

53
Sociological discourse, year 6, number 11 / June 2016 37-56

Chart 3.

4. Discussion of the results of research

Analysis of the results of our research shows that family influence on envi-
ronmental awareness of children in Montenegro is small because of rarely and
little family discusions about environmental problems and ecological sponta-
neous adult behavior is not as being expectated of a higher degree of environ-
mental awareness of citizens, how to contribute in bulding an environmen-
tal awareness among children. This is our first hypothesis (Family influence
on children’ s environmental awareness is very low because environmental
awareness is not developet enough adults) confirmed. Research has shown
that our particpants (Montenegrin citizens) do not have enough knowledge
about the general environmental problems of the earth, because they weak
and rarely get informed about global environmental problems. This confirms
our second hypothesis (information on the ecological state of the planes Earth
are at a low level) . The results of the guestionnaire show that thay influence
the formation of environmental awareness in children (not consicious and
planned), but that they do not spontaneously comply with relevant environ-
mental policies, principles and views. This is our third starting hypothesis
(Parents influence the development of environmental awareness of children
but themselves often do not follow the rules of environment behavior) being
partially confirmed. The results of our study showed that parents in Monte-
negrin families believe that environmental education and ecological rules for
healthy behavior should be egually acguired at school and in the family. This
knowledge does not confirm our fourth starting hypothesis (adults believe

54
 The impact of family socialization on
development of ecology consciousness at
Violeta Barjaktarovic children - Example of Montenegro

that children in institutions and organizations such as (schools, kindergar-

tens, environmental associations) shoud develop knowledge about ecology
and environmental rules of conduct, more than in the family). This encourag-
ing finding partly contradictory perceptions of the majority of our respodents
about the environmental problems, is the small signal on options for further
work and development strategy for greater participation of the family in ob-
taining environment awareness among children and youth in Montenegro.
Contrary to official political views and media presentation, our respodents
did not support the view that “Montenegro is an ecological state”. This par-
agraph does not confirm nor our fifth hypothesis from which we started the
study (According to citizens’ perception, Montenegro does not justify the fact
of being an “ecological state”).

Conclusion

This study started from the premise that environmental problems are in-
creasingly common in the modern world and that scientists, researchers and
experts continually point to continuously and seriously associating environ-
ment and threaten its destruction. Regardless of all the scientists point out,
the existence of a formal declaration and a strategy for exiting the crisis and
improving the ecological state of the environment, in generally, environmen-
tal problems are constantly multiplying. There is no enough environmental
awarenwss, environmental values daily suppresses, environmental education
does not provide practical results and increases the degree of desirable envi-
ronmental awareness. The research that we conducted using the guestionnaire
in targeted and selected subjects in Montenegro shows that the family has no
significant impact, desirable and necessary to the acguisition of environmen-
tal awareness, environmental values and sustianable ecological behavior of
children and youth. In this respect, it is necessary significant involvement
of the family, schools, environmental organizations and citizens, in orden to
justify the proclaimed fact that Montenegro is an “ ecological state.

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