Points out adult behaviors likely to help children develop responsibility. Discussion focuses on the inadvisability of using reward and punishment, the importance of exchanging viewpoints with children and letting them make decisions, and the importance of beginning training for autonomy in the early years. (RH)

Surveyed 404 parents of adolescents to study the relationship between parental control and influence techniques and adolescent behavior. Results suggested that compliance is substantially related to the level of control attempted by the parent, while emotional acceptance is not. Results emphasized the importance of differentiating between…

Evaluates the attitudinal dimensions of leisure, peer identification, and parental influence as it affects the pattern of leisure of affluent adolescents. Results show the parental and peer influence do affect leisure patterns. Also related is sex and age of adolescent. (Author/DEP)

Rural male (N=99) classified in an earlier study as low or high identification males were surveyed five years after graduation. Results indicate statistical differences between groups on occupational status and achievement, educational achievement, and optimism about the future. (Author)

This report is the latest in a series of NCES reports on young children's nonparental care and education arrangements. It presents the most recent data available for children under the age of 6, taken from the 2001 administration of the ECPP. Interviews were conducted with parents or guardians of 6,741 children under age 6 who were not yet…

This study investigated the effect of welfare mothers' educational attainment on their young children's academic outcomes and school readiness. Data came from the National Evaluation of Welfare to Work Strategies Child Outcomes Study. Welfare recipients with young children residing in three cities were randomly assigned to participate in either an…

This report describes data from focus groups on teen pregnancy involving Hispanic parents of adolescents in four states. Participants wanted a good education for their children and positive, loving relationships with them. They wanted to communicate with their children and be closely involved in their lives. Most believed that to help prevent teen…

Many parents want to know how important the quality of care is to children's social, emotional, and academic development. This Digest synthesizes some major recent research on child care quality. First, the Digest explains what features contribute to quality of care. The Digest also explains the differences between studies of how quality is…

The values humans possess take form in relation to the day-to-day activities and decisions (instrumental values) and as criteria for a lifetime (terminal values). This study compares the importance level assigned by adolescents to instrumental and terminal values and the relationship of adolescents' perception of value importance with their…

Parents might be the last to know that "parent involvement" is one of this country's national educational goals. They may understand that success or failure in school is often an indication of success or failure in life; but they may not be aware of how significant parental influence really is on their child's learning. Children who see…

College freshmen transitioning from parental guidance to autonomous living are particularly at risk for engaging in heavy alcohol use. With reduced parental control, increased independence and peer influence, and a new physical and social environment, they are particularly vulnerable to risky drinking and associated consequences. The purpose of…

This book examines the trend toward markets in UK schools by outlining the varied economic and political arguments both for and against increased parental choice. It describes how choice actually takes place--including when the choice takes place, who has the final say, how many schools are considered, and which choice criteria are reported. One…

Organizing the world into masculine and feminine categories is a process called "gender schematicity." High gender schematicity has been linked with children's inclination to self-select out of certain learning opportunities that they deem gender-inappropriate. This study examined gender schematicity among kindergartners and…

Many parents want to know how important the quality of care is to children's social, emotional, and academic development. This digest synthesizes some major recent research on child care quality. First, the digest explains what features contribute to quality of care. The digest also explains the differences between studies of how quality is…

A new study of parents' health, medical care, and health-related behavior finds that large numbers of parents at all income levels take part in risky behaviors that are harmful to their own health and are likely to harm the health of their children. These behaviors include smoking, heavy drinking, and being overweight and sedentary. Risky…