Family influences have a very direct impact on the consumer buying decision process. Parents teach children how to cope with a variety of problems, including purchasing decisions. Children often gain consumer socialization, the process through which a person acquires the knowledge and skills needed to function as a consumer, from their parents. Through observation of family buying practices and choice of brand names, children are influenced to use some of these techniques or products when they establish their own families. The extent to which family members participate in the buying process also affects who will be allowed input later in a person's life when consumer buying decisions are made.
