Comparisons revealed that working class youth were more likely than middle class youth to be in either an identity achievement or diffusion status, and less likely to be in a state of crisis or to have accepted the values of parents without question. Findings suggest identity development differs between social classes. (Author/DB)

Investigated relationship between marijuana use, marijuana misuse, and personality among high school students (N=146) from middle- and upper-middle-class backgrounds. Results indicated relationship between personality characteristics of adolescents who were involved in marijuana use and misuse and adolescents who were not; there were discernible…

Compared the choice of parenthood in 17 Black low-income adolescents and 53 White middle-class couples. Results showed the decision to become parents was related to subcultural values. In contrast to White adults, Black adolescents did not see marriage, completion of schooling, or economic independence as prerequisites for motherhood. (JAC)

Traditional beliefs, values, and attitudes are being restructured by society, which deeply affects the role of the female adolescent. This article discusses these effects on the experience of the contemporary White American middle class female older adolescent (16-20 years old) in relation to the changing role of women. (Author/KC)

Examined associations between early substitute care and White middle-class college students' psychosocial development and academic performance. No day care in infancy followed by full-time day care at ages two and four was best predictor of above-average high school academic achievement; part-time care throughout infancy and early childhood was…

The sample for this study consisted of 200 White, middle class, senior liberal arts majors, equally divided into four political groupings: conservatives, moderates, liberals, and radicals. Questionnaire items gauged specific occupations of interest and the various extrinsic and intrinsic satisfactions subjects expected to derive from work. (SJL)

A 14-item questionnaire was administered to 240 White middle class high school students to assess the seriousness of typical adolescent problems. The three most worrisome problems were physical appearance, careers, and grades. Sex, age, and college v work-bound differences are discussed. The questionnaire is included. (Author/SJL)

Asked 35 middle-class high school seniors to relate their jobs, or decisions not to work, to social context of employment. Findings suggest that negative stereotype of high school student-worker is not justified. Part-time work appeared to uphold variety of interpretations of work ethic within framework of normative middle-class values. (Author/NB)

Examined 11th and 12th graders from upward striving, overprotective, indifferent, and conflicted homes concerning their attitudes toward their parents and academic achievement. Found upward-striving patterns of parenting significantly associated with underachievement. Pressuring these adolescents aroused reactions of anger, resentment, and…

Examined relationship between participation in school activities, part-time work, and self-esteem in 442 high school students. Found that self-esteem was affected by nature of school activity and by gender. Found no significant correlates of self-esteem among boys. Among girls, significant correlates of self-esteem were hours worked, age, and…