Child development happens within the social, cultural, political, environmental, and economic contexts of a particular place, but researchers and policy makers describe best practice in the field as if one size fits all. An early interventionist's experience illustrates how ruralness and community characteristics impact practice. Collaboration…

Analyzes household and school survey data from poor counties in six Chinese provinces to examine the effects of poverty, intra-household decision-making, and school quality on educational investments and learning outcomes. Finds, for example, that being poor and credit-constrained does not significantly affect learning in school (as measured by…

Investigates the relationship between widespread childhood poverty and the effect of deep parental rootedness in nonaffluence, focusing on middle-class Blacks. As a group, disproportionate numbers of them have experienced poverty. Results indicate attitudinal and behavioral legacies of poverty and suggest interclass similarities in the Black…

Analysis of 27 indicators gives California a "D" for the way it treats its children. A number of other reports have documented the crisis facing children. Proposes citizens becoming a strong diverse group of advocates for the needs of children. Summarizes the action agenda of "The Right Start for California's Children." (MLF)

Includes "Community Development in Areas of Political and Social Conflict" (Oliver); "Women and Development in Peru" (Barrig); "Some Reflections on Community Development Experiences in Brazil" (O'Gorman); "Informal Networks for Pre-School Children in a Black Community in South Africa" (Lines); "The…

Investigates the incidence of potentially stressful life events among members of an urban population of 433 minority youths of low socioeconomic status. Results are discussed, and potential directions for future research are suggested. (TE)

The fact that 15 million American children, a quarter of the population under 18, are growing up without fathers is the most significant social problem facing the country. It is linked with epidemics of crime and drugs, the decline of educational attainment, and the persistence of widespread poverty. (AF)

A review of English-as-a-Second-Language programs for Indochinese refugees concludes that the long-term well-being of Indochinese people in the United States depends on programs that contribute to community organization, political action, and a capacity to confront causes of poverty, rather than programs that channel refugees into minimum wage…

Studies determinants of physician use by low-income children identified through the National Household Survey component of the National Medical Care Utilization and Expenditure Survey. Finds that Medicaid coverage increases access to office-based physicians within the low-income population. Presents health cost and policy implications. (MW)

Analyzes Haiti's increased primary school enrollment since 1972 in terms of return on family investment. Discusses the high rates of return to capital in conditions of extreme poverty, and the influences that hope, U.S. immigration policies, and school meal and insurance programs have had on enrollment. Contains 20 references. (SV)

The extent to which state allocation formulas under the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act Chapter Two bloc grant promotes traditional equity or redistribution objectives is examined. Factors associated with the variation among states in the redistributive nature of their Chapter Two formulas are explained. (SLD)

Illustrates, through text and graphs, that many striking variations are submerged beneath overall figures of poverty rates. The substantial differences in poverty rate according to race and ethnicity are, in large part, the consequences of major differences in family types and work situations. (SLD)

Applies Coleman's concept of social capital to understand differences in development among at-risk youth. Utilized data from longitudinal study of 252 children of teenage mothers to explore relationships between social capital and success. Results suggest social capital plays a role in helping youth negotiate their way out of disadvantage. (JBJ)

Traced the effects of economic pressure to emotional distress and parenting behaviors of African American and European American parents (n=429 families). Both low income and unstable work/income enhance the risk of emotional distress and beliefs of parental ineffectiveness. Among black families, single-parent households and conflicted marriages…

Personal, medical, family, and cultural risk factors for child abuse or neglect and roles of stress and social support in causation of child maltreatment were examined. Interviews conducted with 749 mothers of newborns were analyzed; child abuse/neglect by age 1 was predicted by maternal education, number of dependent children, receipt of…