Analysis of data from the parent and student sections of High School and Beyond surveys revealed that close spacing of siblings had a strong negative effect on parents' anticipated and actual contributions to a child's living and schooling expenses during the first year after high school graduation. This negative effect was unrelated to…

Examines effects that the sex composition of family has upon ways in which families finance higher education. Finds that as the number of brothers increases, the likelihood that a student will meet his financial obligation through means other than parental contribution becomes greater. Suggests sex composition is a structural element of the…

Asserts that, although minority groups have made progress in educational attainment, they still face barriers to higher education. Reviews statistical data from two national studies. Finds that, once background characteristics are held constant, minority parents make as much, if not more, effort to save money and support their children as do white…