Discusses the way in which natural community contexts influence early language socialization and behavior. Compares approaches to language usage and literacy in Black middle- and lower-class families in a particular Southern community. (RJC)

Results from this study on mothers' conceptions of child development suggest a complex picture of diversity in Mexican-American mothers who retain values and beliefs from their own culture and take on values and beliefs of the American culture. (PCB)

Profiles nine low-spending, high-performance districts located in small to medium-sized, largely white communities boasting stable economies and a high quality of life. Although the districts are labelled "cheap" for various reasons, their superintendents ascribe success to superior, autonomous staff; high expectations for students; and…

Compared the sensitivity and teaching strategies of white, middle-class dysphoric and nondysphoric women working with unfamiliar five- and six-year olds during classification tasks and unstructured activities. Found that nondysphoric women were more sensitive to children's level of understanding than dysphoric women and were more likely to use a…

Michael Levin argues that data from the study are consistent with a black/white IQ difference that is significantly genetic. Richard Lynn maintains that adoption by middle-class, white families has no effect on intelligence. Waldman, Weinberg, and Scarr respond to these criticisms and support the original conclusions. (SLD)

Transfer of wealth at death is being replaced in the middle class by parents' investment in their children, especially through education, and expenditure of remaining wealth during old age. Because of this inheritance revolution, colleges and universities will require new strategies for fund raising. (MSE)

Presents a study investigating Eysenck's paradox of socialism: the tendency of working class individuals to hold conservative social and radical economic attitudes and that of middle class individuals to hold conservative economic and radical social beliefs. Reports no evidence supporting economic belief predictions, but some evidence that middle…

Representations of 40 3- to 6-year-olds' perceptions of Oedipal conflicts among family members were assessed through a doll-play task and parental diaries. Complementary information on children's understanding of family roles and age relativity was evaluated independently. Oedipal behaviors appeared to increase and then decrease during this age…

State low-interest college loans programs for middle-class families have emerged in response to restrictions on federally subsidized Stafford Loans. The key difference between federal and state programs is that most state programs require student borrowers and cosigners to prove good credit risks, reducing loan default and making the programs…

Highlights the centrality of women to social reproduction through a focus on the sociocultural processes of parental involvement. Argues that, although most mothers help children with school work, only middle-class mothers have resources to shape effectively the curriculum offered. Concludes that the market system of education favors the middle…

Describes insights gleaned from informal conversations with 27 parents actively involved in their children's schooling. Stereotypes do not apply. Although wealthier white parents receive more encouragement to participate in decision making and school-related activities, they sometimes support working- class/minority causes and favor school…

Summarizes a study examining the dynamics of a set of (British) education markets over a 39-month period. Secondary schools in three adjacent local education authorities served as laboratories for researching choice and competition. The market's disciplinary effects are clear. The education market reinforces opportunity advantages of middle-class…

Disagrees with research showing that socioeconomic status has little impact on parental involvement in children's education. From the author's own experience, working-class parents are as concerned as affluent ones about children's progress, but have less energy/time for participation. In other research, a new assessment instrument may help…

Examined conflicts between middle-class African American preadolescents/early adolescents and their parents. Found that conflicts were relatively frequent, of low intensity, and occurred over issues such as the adolescent's room, chores, activity choices, and homework. Early adolescents rated conflicts as more intense than preadolescents. Mothers'…

In the West, institutions are considered the worst environment for rearing young children. It was thus surprising to discover on the 2002 Fulbright Travel Seminar to China that boarding schools for children two years of age and older were popular among affluent parents. This article uses observations of the first author in China, cultural…