Examined and compared the perceptions of parenthood by 127 rural and 145 urban couples in relation to 4 dependent variables of child development (physical, intellectual, social, and emotional), using a Q-sort methodology. Rural parents emphasized intellectual and emotional development significantly more than did urban parents, and emphasized…

Developed a multivariate, causal model of the influences of childbearing and early child rearing, to investigate the impact of teenage mothers upon their children. Data analysis indicated socioeconomic status was the strongest influence upon each variable. Found the influence of maternal age in the opposite direction to socioeconomic status.…

Analysis of responses of 482 sixth graders, classified as either peer oriented or adult oriented, reveals that while the peer-oriented children generally conform to a socially undesirable peer subculture, they are unsatisfied and anxious about it. Sex differences are discussed and comparisons made with other research. (Author)

Compared childrearing patterns in Swedish day-care centers and home settings and considered their effects upon certain aspects of child development. Discussion focuses on family characteristics, sex differences, interaction patterns, role expectations, availability of age mates, and developmental outcomes. (BH)