Uses census data from 1970-90 to examine the spatial dimensions of wealth and poverty in Appalachia. Discusses the economic history of the region, stereotypes and cultural interpretations of poverty, changes in income levels relative to the nation, and new and old poverty in sections of Appalachia. Contains 28 references. (SV)

Analysis of Current Population Survey data indicates that each successive cohort of white family heads born since 1944-48 faced an increasingly greater chance of being poor, even with the increase in female-headed families controlled. The black cohort effect is not significant, but period effects suggest that blacks' economic gains of the 1970s…

Financially impoverished inner city women (n=192) were assessed for clinical depression twice during pregnancy and once postpartum. The rates of depression are about double those found for middle-class samples, and there were no racial differences. Heightened risk for antepartum depression was found among single women with no cohabitating partner.…

A survey of 505 low-income nonmetropolitan families found that participation in informal work activities was widespread; was not related to poverty status; contributed little to family income on average but helped families weather difficult times; was motivated both economically and noneconomically; and, net of other sociodemographic variables,…

Interviewed 72 children across grades 1, 3, and 5 from an impoverished inner-city black community on their views and values about the natural environment. Overall, children showed sensitivity to nature and awareness of environmental problems, although this sensitivity and awareness were attenuated by both developmental and cultural factors. (MDM)

Describes a study of longevity and older adults' economic and educational status in Nigeria, based on interviews with 332 adults over 64 years old. Determinants of longevity include faith in God, heredity, modest living, and contentment. Finds illiteracy linked to poverty, and most interviewees ill-prepared for postretirement life. (DMM)

Economic restructuring, low wages, unemployment, outmigration, and high poverty rates affect rural and small-town schools, which enroll nearly 40 percent of the school-age population. Increasing proportions of rural school enrollments are children at risk and in need of special programs. (SK)

Gentle teaching, empowering children growing up amid poverty and violence, is the only alternative to ineffective coercive teaching. "Decent" teachers are not judgmental, moralistic, or easily shocked; they listen, recognize their biases, are culturally competent, and do not seek to fulfill power needs. (SK)

In Peru, the Social Compensation Fund uses various strategies for fighting rural poverty: linking social investment to other development strategies, considering poverty indicators in determining project priorities, developing a productive infrastructure, and involving local institutions in solutions. (SK)

Recent trends in U.S. families include increased numbers of single-parent families, stepfamilies, teen pregnancies, working mothers, and children living in poverty. Public policy should focus on affordable housing, access to health and child care, education and job training, and jobs that provide adequate income. (SK)

Conveys the practical knowledge shown by public health nurses since the days of Lillian Wald in the 1890s. Public health nurses have had to work with high-risk families--work that often requires a common sense approach. (JOW)

Articles in recent periodicals are reviewed. These articles concern (1) the education of children in poverty; (2) the exposure of children to violence in and out of school; (3) recommendations for the Head Start program for the 1990s; and (4) child care in Germany after reunification. (BC)

Prenatal care, though providing invaluable health education, including parenting instruction and contraceptive advice as well as medical supervision, is seriously limited for poor women. Suggests ways of surpassing barriers of ignorance, fear, lack of child care and transportation, and lack of skilled medical translators, and calls for more…

Results of a survey of 1,230 workers in intercultural programs conducted by Christian agencies showed that those with an assistentialist approach believe individual failures cause poverty and define development as external intervention. Those with a facilitory approach view development as a transformative process through which people can solve…

The divergent views of poor and working-class African-American and White men regarding the causes of their current condition are presented. Different "biographies of race" encourage African-American men to blame the economy and racism but White men to blame Black males for the economic plight of White men. The ways in which the two…