Three major demographic trends (immigration patterns, dissolution of the traditional family structure, and the emerging age profile of the United States population) and three social trends (socioeconomic polarization, growing importance of the Pacific Rim countries to American trade, and new communications technology) are examined as they affect…

Demographic influences on the makeup of urban university student populations are discussed, focusing on how demographic trends can shed light on some current debates in higher education. Issues discussed include welfare and education, ethnicity and poverty, migration patterns, the aging population, and children of Baby Boomers. (MSE)