Examining Sustainability Awareness in Children's Clothing Consumption

Abstract

Sustainability and environmental awareness instilled at an early age are of great importance for individuals to develop lifelong environmentally friendly behaviors and use resources consciously. In this context, the aim of this study was to examine the clothing consumption habits and attitudes and behaviors of 9–10-year-old children toward clothing recycling within the framework of sustainable fashion within the scope of environmental sustainability, and to determine the relationship between these attitudes and the education level of their parents. The research was designed using the relational screening model, a quantitative research method. The study group consisted of 134 students enrolled in a primary school in the Serdivan district of Sakarya province during the 2023-2024 academic year, selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the "Sustainable Fashion Awareness Scale" developed by the researcher. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0, using frequency, percentage, and cross-tab analyses. The findings of the study revealed that children generally have positive attitudes towards sustainable fashion, and analyses based on parental education level revealed that children whose parents have a high school education level or above have higher awareness of sustainable fashion.