Drawing on data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), this study examines change and stability in personal goal appraisals among German young adults aged 18-29 from 2008, the depth of the Great Recession, to 2012, into the recovery period (N = 3,292). Young adults in Germany, particularly young male workers, were greatly affected by the…

Against a background of increasing inequality and its impact at various levels on childhood and family life, of the growing societal significance and uptake of extra-familial childcare provision, and of social policy goals emphasising participation and education for all, the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector in Germany is facing new…

This article looks at the impact of Philippe Aries's classic "L'Enfant et la vie familiale sous l'ancien regime", published in 1960. His well-known idea of the emergence of "Le sentiment de l'enfance" caused a lively debate among historians and social scientists resulting in fundamental contributions to our knowledge about the…

This paper analyses which aspects of spirituality are valued by adolescents, and how they are interconnected with youths' life satisfaction and "self-centeredness". The participants were 254 adolescents (11th grade) of four different high schools from west Germany. After re-validation of the 6-factorial student's version of the ASP…

Reviews history and content of recent U.S. child care and family legislation comparing it to that of four European nations on five policy objectives: increasing supply, supporting maternal employment, easing burdens of child rearing, permitting parental choice, and raising quality of programs. Recent legislation brings United States slightly…

Synthesizes the theoretical implications of the studies presented in this issue on social repercussions of a unified Germany, highlighting the effects of economic and political change on women, families, and youth, and their relevance for cultural-historical theories of human development. (JW)

Recognizing that first time parents often have more questions than answers about child rearing, youth welfare services in the Federal Republic of Germany have been sending a series of newsletters since 1975 to all first time parents from the time of the child's birth to their child's eighth birthday. A board of representatives from the youth…

This text summarizes the proceedings of a 1975 conference of the Prix Jeunesse Foundation which revolved around the question: "What aids can television offer in order to make it easier for young people to socialize in their family and their environment?" Included are: (1) an introduction and the text of the opening speech; (2) separate…

Increasing numbers of mothers of young children are entering the labor force, resulting in the emergence of new family lifestyles in the United States and five European countries. Expanded child-care services, cash benefits, and extended leave are helping adults manage both work and family life. (Author/SK)

Addresses the question of social change as it affects the lives of children and their opportunities for learning. Describes the diversity of lifestyles that social change has brought. Argues that schools must accommodate inequality among children as regards their family experience as well as more traditional inequalities of aptitude, status, or…

Illustrates the role of the family in linking sociopolitical changes to adolescent development by outlining some differences in structures of families of East and West Germany. Synthesizes survey data on this topic. Areas discussed include family formation, unmarried couples and parents, maternal employment, public child care, divorce and…

Closeup studies of German life in the Stuttgart area are reported here by 79 participants of Stanford University's 1963 National Defense Education Act Second-Level Institute for Elementary and Secondary School Teachers held at Bad Boll, Germany. Elementary and secondary education, work and family life, and housing and housing developments are…

Fulbright teachers from England, Germany, Denmark, and Canada aired their views about American education during a 1991 conference. The foreign teachers admired America's commitment to providing universal access to education and academic second chances. They deplored local school funding disparities; teachers' heavy workloads and low status; and…

Discusses empirical findings of a qualitative research project covering three generations of twentieth century families. Examines the importance of family topics for biographical learning. Argues that family topics leave their mark on biographical constructions and influence acting, thinking and perceiving, and the shaping of the biography…

Part of the Council of Europe's Project Number 1, "Preparation for Life," this report analyzes developments in Austria, Finland, the Federal Republic of Germany, and England in the area of preparation for family life. Specifically, the report (1) explains the growing concern in the above countries for the preparation for family life; (2)…