Reports on two studies, one about students whose degree goals are discrepant with their ability, and another concerning students whose family income seems discrepant with their degree goals. Both subgroups were compared with students whose aspirations seemed more "appropriate. Except in the degree of nonacademic achievement, students in the…

Uses Michigan school district data to test the assumption that public school expenditures are positively related, in a straight-line fashion, to family income. Finds that expenditures are a U-shaped function of income. (Available from Sage Publications, 275 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.) (Author/RW)

Various statistics are reported concerning working mothers: age of children and mothers, divorce rate, type of family, race and ethnic origin, number of children in the family, and status of father. (CT)

Results of an ongoing analysis of the household's choice of diet for its children under three years and how that diet relates to the child's growth. Focuses on the extent to which family income and mother's education are obstacles to the provision of adequate diets for children in poor American families. (CT)

The article presented an overview of Hispanic participation rates in specifically defined "welfare" programs. It was noted that data on national participation rates of Hispanics in these welfare programs is somewhat scattered and at times incomplete. (NQ)

Argues that to base the benefit schedule of an income-support program on an index that defines poverty in terms of money income alone is to create gross inequities across households that vary in their number of adult hours. Provides a two-dimensional poverty definition and shows how this standard can be used to define voluntary versus involuntary…

Analysis of 1990 census data for Washington found that income for both Hispanic and White female heads of families was most strongly related to employment variables (hours worked and occupational status); was less related to age, education, or presence of young children; and was little related to marital status, citizenship status, or English…

Examines how Latina families cope with the realities of low wages and low earnings potential by studying how the presence of other adults, other than a spouse, affects the family's income level. Findings indicate the presence of other adults in the home influences a higher level of family income and is a strategy used by Latinas to alleviate…

Among 2,107 Black Americans, lighter skin color was associated with greater education, income, occupational prestige; higher socioeconomic status (SES) of spouse; lower Black consciousness. Association between skin color and life chances in this sample was as strong as the effect of race (Black versus White), and it has persisted from 1950s to…

Examined saving and spending behaviors of 1,619 employed high school seniors across the country. Found that savers were from families who saved and planned money use; necessity spenders were from families with fewer resources and greater financial difficulties; discretionary spenders felt money was important and were from families with higher…

Information on parents' salary, success, and influence on and closeness to offspring gathered from 260 business college students showed that (1) students' gender was not related to their perception of parental influence; and (2) closeness to fathers affected parental influence, but mother closeness was not a significant predictor of parental…

Examines the effects of family type on high school graduation using data from the 1979-85 waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Results show that (1) not living with both parents at age 14 has negative consequences for children's high school graduation, and (2) disruptions (changes in family structure) between ages 14 and 17 also…

Children's scores on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test were influenced by mothers' schooling, grandparents' schooling, and family size. Increases in mothers' working hours negatively affected children's achievement. Welfare dependence reduced test scores, largely due to transmission of an underclass heritage of low achievement. (Author/SK)

Analysis of data from 138 women, infants, children participants who completed Child Abuse Potential Inventory showed mothers with higher educational attainment appeared less likely to be abusive regardless of such factors as low income, single parenthood, or large family size. Mothers who did not complete high school were at greater risk for…

Data from Taiwanese cohorts show that parental investment in children is affected by credit constraints; early-born children do poorly, especially females; in poorer families and older cohorts, older sisters increase younger siblings' education; and in younger cohorts and richer families, effects of family size and gender composition are weaker.…