Partially replicated Japanese study by examining transition from arranged to free-choice marriages in Chinese ever-married women (n=586). The results revealed that the role of parents had declined sharply, whereas young people more and more dominated the process of mate selection. However there was still little sign of a "dating culture"…

Examined changes in role of parents in marriage decisions in China using two data sets. Found that number of arranged marriages, in which parent had absolute control, had decreased. In most marriages, however, parents continue to have influence on decisions made. Parental involvement in all aspects of young people's lives was welcomed by both…

An explanation for wives' shift in preferences about the division of child care labor before and after the birth of their first child is tested (N=69 couples). Evidence is presented that love for their husbands motivates wives to align their preferences with their husbands'. The mediating role of love is explored. (Author/EMK)

Describes single fathers rearing children alone following divorce (N=1,136). Findings revealed four primary reasons for the divorce and four broad situations in which the fathers obtained custody. These latter situations often are affected by the mother's desire to relinquish custody. (NRB)

Examined observed father-infant interaction and reports of parental responsibility during infancy in 54 dual-earner and 65 single-earner families. Results indicated that personality characteristics of the father were important in predicting father's responsibility for child care in single-earner families, not in dual-earner families. Contextual…

Investigated 169 family stories told by 56 families. Found no generational differences in number and types of stories. Parents were considered main source of stories; grandparents were main characters. More male than female characters were used, and themes of personality, work, and family were predominant. Concluded that stories go down into…

Interviews conducted with adolescents from 12 to 17 years old and their parents revealed adolescent drinking can be explained by parental models of drinking behavior. Parental socialization factors, particularly support and to a lesser degree control, were also shown to have an effect on the development of adolescent drinking behaviors.…

The present study is a replication of a study published by Hobbs a decade ago. Results confirm what was found in 1965. New parents had only slight amounts of difficulty in adjusting to the first child and mothers reported significantly greater amounts of difficulty than did fathers. (Author)

Describes investigation examining moderating effect of marital role and parent role quality on relationship between job role quality and psychological distress among women in dual-earner couples. Suggests quality of marital and parental roles buffered women from negative mental health effects associated with poor experience on the job. (CRR)

Used data from 212 divorced fathers to investigate relationships between frequency of father-child contact, visitation quality, and child support payment. Found that fathers who saw their children frequently tended to live nearby, reported higher levels of father-child closeness before divorce, and were more likely to have joint custody. Found…

Based on a study of 120 United States households, two methodological issues underlying research concerning family role and authority are examined: incongruency in husband-wife responses and coherence of authority patterns across a range of family decisions and tasks. Question ambiguity is a major source of incongruity in husband-wife response.…

Examined family and religious variables that affect transmission of religious values from parents to early adolescent sons. Responses from 68 Protestant mother-father-son triads showed that mothers mostly influenced sons' practical application of religion, while fathers influenced sons' church attendance. Mothers and fathers functioned differently…

The evidence suggests that adolescents have only slightly more responsibility for household chores when the mother is employed, and that their degree of participation in social activities does not differ consistently from respondents whose mothers are not employed. (Author)

Analyzes 256 letters written by middle-class fathers and mothers to nationally known educator Angelo Patri to illustrate the degree to which perceptions of father involvement in the 1920s-30s varied according to gender. Suggests the difference in father involvement during the 20th century is not as sharp as some suppose. (Author/JPS)