Students (n=300) referred for special education and diagnosed as learning disabled, mentally retarded, or not eligible were examined to determine the differential contribution of sociocultural variables on eligibility decisions within the context of intelligence test factors. Factors analyzed included verbal comprehension, perceptual organization,…

This study examines how sibship characteristics affect educational attainment in Taiwan. Using a multilevel analysis of a sibling sample of 12,715 observations from 3,001 families drawn from a national survey, we investigate the effects of family size, sibship density, birth-order rank, and sibship gender composition. The results support the…

Background: Some research findings have suggested that group day-care may be associated with an increased risk for physical aggression. Methods: Cross-sectional maternal questionnaire data from a representative sample of 3431 Canadian 2- to 3-year-olds were used to compare rates of physical aggression shown by children looked after by their own…

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the self-esteem of junior high and high school students. The independent variables investigated were quality of family life, birth order, family size, maternal employment, grade level and family structure. The dependent variables were the self-esteem scores from the following sub-scales of the Texas…

In an effort to understand the persistent lack of representation of females in senior ranks at top research universities this study examined the attitudes of female assistant professors toward 14 possible impediments to their gaining tenure. Subjects were tenure-track assistant professors in a large, public research university where women are…

This bulletin explores the social, economic, and demographic trends that have contributed to the changing structure of the American family. Sections of the document discuss: (1) definitions of household and family; (2) types of families, including married couples with and without children and single-parent families; (3) living arrangements of…

This paper considers the following dimensions of the change in household composition of the United States population between 1960 and 1980: (1) a decrease in the number of households headed by a couple; and (2) a decrease in the number of children per household. Examination of census figures from 1960, 1970, and 1980 reveals that blacks and whites…

The timing of three key family formation events--first sexual intercourse, first conception, and first marriage--was compared for different levels of urbanization. The levels of urbanization considered were central cities, suburbs, nonmetropolitan urban places, and rural area. Data were taken from the National Survey of Family Growth, for which…

This article explores the many facets of the contemporary family in the United States, including their variations in structure, size, and ethnic and linguistic characteristics; the impact of sociohistorical factors on family functioning and lifestyle; implications of models of child development; and policy recommendations. (JDD)

This theme issue of the Canadian newsletter "Transitions" in both English and French explores the question of the future of families in a period of broken marriages, difficult times, and an obsession with individual success and materialism. "Families of the Future: New Ways to Do the Same Old Things," summarizes the findings of…

The attitudes of young Chinese people toward family formation are examined giving insights to the varying attitudes of young men and women according to rural or urban setting, educational levels, types of employment, economic status, and proximity to centers of economic and social development. Information is also provided on population policies…

The Australian 1981 Census results show that the coventional nuclear family is still by far the most prominent family form in Australia. However, since the first family statistics were collected in 1966, other family forms and nonfamily living arrangements have been increasing. This paper examines changes in factors determining family structure…

Identifies socioeconomic correlates of labor force participation by 5,580 Kentucky metropolitan, nonmetropolitan, and farm women. Data (personal/socioeconomic/family characteristics, occupations/industries of women in labor force) indicate family and status are most influential correlates of metro/nonmetro women's labor force participation; status…

How parent configuration (2-parent, mother-extended, or solo-mother) and number of siblings affect first graders' conformity to the student role was studied for 256 African-American and 228 white students. The positive effects of two-parent families may have been overestimated in previous research in which sibling effects are neglected. (SLD)

The purpose of this study was to discover who constituted the significant others of 101 rural, Caucasian children of 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 years of age. The study was also meant to determine what family demographic variables might predict a child's selection of significant others and the possible relationship between a mother's perception of her…