Reports data on the extent of abuse and neglect (both physical and emotional) in a population of middle-class families. Argues that child abuse and neglect have been studied almost exclusively in working-class communities, particularly socially marginal families. Found emotional neglect predominated over physical aggression because of middle-class…

Explored how contemporary middle-class African American grandmothers perceived themselves in relation to their children. Found moderate relationship between values of 100 grandchildren to 100 grandmothers, timing of role assumption, and current situational context. Values included expansion of self; morality or altruism; power, influence, or…

Significant differences in values between social workers and clients are widely understood to affect the efficacy of service provision. This study examines the degree of value similarity between social workers and consumers, specifically, members of the working and middle classes. Based on "new-class" theory, two hypotheses are proposed. (Contains…

Notes that public welfare agencies are serving middle-class Americans. Examines six factors that may contribute to gentrification of public welfare agencies: growing demands for services from nontraditional clients; restructuring of public welfare's service delivery system; declining resources; increasing emphasis on child protective services;…

The original article, published in 1983, applied Titmuss's framework of a three-tiered social welfare system. Based on new data and a more in-depth analysis, this article re-examines who benefits from and who pays for social, fiscal, and corporate welfare and concludes that all three systems continue to serve and favor the middle class, wealthy…

Examined individual behavioral characteristics and family patterns of 102 middle-class dropout youths. Found that adolescents had variety of disorders, most notably substance abuse disorders, conduct disorders, and adjustment disorders. Many had been victimized through physical abuse, sexual abuse, and chronic family dysfunction. Parental…