Abstract
A questionnaire studied Iranian children's feelings toward themselves and significant adults for comparison with a similar study of American children's perceptions. The data on Iranian children allow for analysis of differences between boys and girls. The major results are fourfold. Concerning the 'self', only one child in three was aware of his or her abilities and personal characteristics. Concerning 'school', the majority of children expressed negative feelings about rough handling, corporal and verbal punishment by school personnel. Children desired friendly and warm behaviour from teachers and believed this to be important in fostering positive feelings towards school. In connection with the 'family', the majority of children regarded a warm and intimate family environment as necessary for providing comfortable and happy family relationships. They stated that parents' carelessness about their needs and rough behaviour from their parents are the primary causes of their unhappiness. Regarding relationships between children and adults, the majority of children expected adults to be friendly, provide security, protect them from dangers and facilitate a sound education for them. Children indicated that they actively sought out attention from adults and considered it to be a right.
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