This article finds the empirical review of the intellectual effects of family factors by Lala Carr Steelman wanting because (1) it is selective and incomplete; (2) it ignores systematic aggregate effects; (3) it imposes linear analysis on nonmonotone relationships; and (4) it disregards most of the confounds identified by Steelman as crucial.…

The author responds to criticism by R. B. Zajonc on a review of the extant literature on the intellectual consequences of sibship size and birth order. (Author/LMO)

This study investigated changing patterns of child rearing in Saudi Arabia, using a sample of 62 older generation mothers and their daughters who were themselves mothers. Findings showed social and cultural changes reflected in the transition from the extended to the nuclear family and in the increase in educated mothers. (Author/LMO)

Analyzes national longitudinal survey data to explore consequences of young adults' growing tendency to leave the parental home earlier and marry later. Reports that young women living independently become more likely to plan for employment, to lower their expected family size, and to support more non-traditional beliefs about sex roles.…

This article integrates literature from such diverse sources as population, agriculture, women in development, macro-economics, and health studies to document the changes that have occurred in families in the last 20-25 years. Program issues for the home economics profession are considered in light of these changes. (CT)

In this paper, the association of birth order with educational attainment is examined among Wisconsin high school graduates of 1957 and their siblings. There are not significant or systemic effects of birth order on schooling when other relevant variables have been controlled. (Author/DWH)

A study based on the confluence model of family effects upon intellectual growth found a negative relationship between grades and the number of older siblings for Whites but not for Blacks and a negative relationship between the grades of Blacks and responsibility for younger siblings. (CMG)

Support for the confluence model of intellectual development has come from analyses of family size-birth order means of large aggregate data sets. Analyses of individual scores do not substantiate the confluence model, as explained variance is markedly reduced. The study of family interaction variables utilizing longitudinal data is recommended.…

This report consolidates U.S. Census information from 1900-2000 to illustrate population changes over the 20th century. The population more than tripled, from 76 million in 1900 to 281 million in 2000. It grew increasingly metropolitan each decade. In 1900, half of the population was under 22.9 years old. By 2000, half of the population was over…

Discusses factors related to children's grief process in general, and response to death in particular. Implications for the single-child family are considered. (BB)

Investigated the relationship of several demographic variables, family structure and family environment among 68 official chronic delinquents and 130 official nondelinquents. Results indicated that 10 variables explained 49 percent of the variance between the chronic delinquent and nondelinquent groups. Personal growth had most discriminating…

Discusses the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which doubled the personal exemption, increased the eligibility ceiling for the Earned Income Tax Credit, and reduced marginal income-tax rates. Compares the Act with the Acts of 1948 and 1969. Outlines criteria for a pro-family income tax policy. (BJV)

Outlines some of the ways in which the application of technology to increase productivity, the affluence generated by it, and the related structural changes in society have contributed to the creation of adolescence in the North American urban-industrial society. Highlights seven important structural factors that make adolescence essentially a…

This study examined the relationship between age-interval between siblings and children's creative abilities, as well as parental views on the creative abilities of 116 children (ages 9-12 years). The study found that larger age intervals resulted in greater creativity and that age intervals also interacted with birth order, family size, and age.…

Administration of the Conflict Tactics Scales to 1,997 mothers found that risk factors included the mother's age at time of birth of the abused child, size of family, and minority group status. However, there was not a significant relationship when mother's age was measured at time of abuse. (Author/JDD)