Who decides? Intergenerational perception of adolescents' personal care products purchase and consumption.

Abstract

This study explores intergenerational differences in theperception of adolescents' (ages 12–17) use of personalcare products and related purchasing decisions. An on-line survey of 1088 parent–child dyads (n = 2176) wasconducted, and paired samples t-tests were used. Resultsshow minors report higher usage—especially of gym andfitness items—than parents acknowledge. Adolescentsalso perceive more parental supervision than parents re-port. Parents set stricter age limits for purchasing itemslike makeup and supplements and express greater concernover risks. These findings reveal perception gaps that mayinform educational and regulatory approaches to adoles-cent consumption.