Assesses family development and life course approaches for studying family change. Discusses selected studies which illustrate the central research concerns that emerge within the two frameworks. Explores a range of current issues that may be examined effectively from family development and life course perspectives. (Author/ABL)

Summarizes most widely supported findings concerning grandparents' transactions with their children and grandchildren, spotlighting areas for which there is little information (general demographic information, political behavior, and asset transfer from well-off elders to their descendants). Includes assessment of theoretical and methodological…

Revision of a paper presented before the Progress and Poverty in Social Change Section of the Annual Meeting, American Sociological Association, 1967.

Explored the intergenerational relations of 124 well off, physically healthy couples in their sixties. The data suggest that the "young-old" are keeping their intergenerational ties voluntary rather than obligatory. Parents appeared selective in their attentions, concentrating them on those in greatest need, the single, and the divorced with…

Tested models of intergenerational relationships using interview and questionnaire data from 124 couples in their early/mid-60s. Results indicated role context rather than role strain or role enhancement characterized competing-loyalties model. Family size had little effect on findings. Variables from size-constraint and familistic models…

Describes relationship between job and family roles, beginning with analysis of economic resources accruing from some types of employment which enable man to function in a family. Concludes with analysis of how right kind of occupation improves communication skills necessary for marital interaction. Stresses inter-dependence of roles and…

Examines the problem definition behavior of 48 White families (two natural parents and adolescent child) discussing simulated problematic situations. Analyzes the effects of family background, interpersonal relations, and discussion process variables. Interprets the importance of interpersonal ties in terms of family interaction issues. Contains…

Problem definition appears to influence problem solving outcomes with respect to their quality. In order to determine whether or not families, confronted as a group by a series of possibly problematic situations, would engage in a problem definition phase, and whether or not the phase or its absence would be related to family members' satisfaction…