ABSTRACT
In the second half of the 20th century, growing affluence, changing patterns of family interaction, reduction in family size, the emergence of youth culture, and the consumer power of the youth market have all combined to make children’s bedrooms increasingly important as sites of leisure and learning. It is common nowadays for young people in Europe to have their own bedroom and for its furnishings to reflect their individual tastes and interests. Surveys in five countries in our project (CH, DE, FI, GB, IL) show that even among 6- to 7-year-olds, more than half (56%) do not have to share a bedroom. As expected, the figures are higher for older children: two thirds (69%) of 9- to 10-year-olds have their own room, and more than three quarters of 12- to 13-year-olds (77%) and 15- to 16-year-olds (82%). 1
