This book focuses on gun violence and gun control, presenting both sides of arguments about firearms ownership and gun control. Each of five chapters poses a question about gun control and provides answers for both sides of the question. The following essays are included: (1) "Gun Violence Is Becoming an Epidemic" (Bob Herbert); (2) "Gun Violence…

This paper reports on a study of the costs of youth unemployment in New York City. The dollar cost is measured in two ways: first, by calculating the cost of direct benefits paid by the city to unemployed 16 to 21 year olds; and second, by projecting the tax revenues and productivity that these young people would add to the city economy if they…

This report summarizes the results of a telephone survey of New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) members. The purpose of this study is to identify problems affecting the education of children in New Jersey urban school districts and make recommendations for improvement. First, the design of the study is described, and then the report is…

The School Health Assessment, Planning, and Evaluation Project (SHAPE) was a systematic survey to determine the health status of the New York City school population prior to a major reorganization of school health services planned for the 1984-85 school year. It comprised 6,282 pupils attending 12 public and non-public schools. Over 30 percent of…

In the early part of 1999, the Institute for Children and Poverty surveyed almost 2,000 families with more than 4,000 children in 24 locations to assess the state of homeless children across the United States. This report tells their story. Families account for almost 40% of U.S. homeless people, and in some cities that percentage is even higher.…

This report, fourth in a series, recounts the most recent data on indicators of the social and economic vitality of U.S. cities and positions the Administration's urban policy agenda to address challenges confronting cities. This year the report identifies four megaforces that are shaping the future of U.S. cities and presents findings showing…

This report, a special supplement to "Now is the Time," is part of an ongoing analysis of U.S. cities and their economic health. It focuses on one vital economic region, the Northeast. Data from a number of sources reveal some key findings about the nine states of this economic region. Most cities in the Northeast are doing quite well,…

This report illustrates how poverty rates in the United States vary by selected characteristics: age, race and Hispanic origin, nativity, family composition, work experience, and geography. The estimates in the report are based on interviews with population samples. The Current Population Survey each March interviews approximately 50,000…

More than 4,000 people responded to a survey about community efforts to reduce substance abuse and gun violence. Six major findings were identified from the responses of 1,608 people who identified themselves as leaders of community efforts in these areas. Community leaders want significant changes in long-standing public policies and a change in…

The gains of economic recovery have been unevenly distributed to benefit the rich much more than the poor. According to Census Bureau data, poverty, especially among children, is significantly higher than five years ago. Poverty has worsened despite decreased unemployment because of widening gaps between rich and poor. Even modest changes in…

This report describes the process of drawing up a national urban policy, summarizes the views presented at various forums, and sketches much of the data and analyses relied upon by urban policymakers. Part I summarizes the process of American urbanization leading to the emergence of a new stage in urban development. Part II describes changing…

This report provides statistical evidence of worsening conditions facing Puerto Ricans in America in the areas of (1) unemployment, (2) poverty, (3) demographics, and (4) education. It concludes with recommendations from the National Puerto Rican Forum. The unemployment rate for Puerto Ricans is the highest among Hispanic population groups. The…

Although the joblessness and underemployment that characterize the labor market status of American youth are worst for Hispanic and Black youth, they also reflect the absence of job opportunities, irrespective of race, in depressed rural areas and urban communities hard hit by sustained high levels of unemployment. In December 1984, teenagers had…

This report assesses the need for and availability of child care services in the metropolitan area of Louisville, Kentucky, including Jefferson County and six surrounding counties in Kentucky (Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble) and three counties (Clark, Floyd, and Harrison) in southern Indiana. This assessment focused on 1990…

Describes fathers whose children were born to teenage mothers in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1983. These fathers were at a serious educational and financial disadvantage when compared to fathers whose partners were aged 20 or above. White teenage fathers had lower educational attainment than Black; many more Black teenage fathers were unmarried than…