Discusses early adolescence as the second most critical stage of development, and the importance of recognizing this when planning a middle school program. Describes how one school met the pressures of logistics and community expectations to develop a classroom that was responsive to the individual student in light of the characteristics and needs…

Stresses the importance of communicating to parents how camping meets the developmental needs of youth through encouraging positive social interaction with adults and peers, providing a structured environment, promoting physical activity, encouraging creativity, empowering campers to achieve success, providing meaningful participation in the camp…

Seventy-seven adolescents in 2-parent families and their parents were observed in a revealed-differences interaction task when the adolescents were age 14, and the adolescents' ego development and self-esteem were assessed at both age 14 and 16. Adolescents' displays of autonomy and relatedness were strongly related to concurrent measures of ego…

Surveys of homosexual support groups nationwide asked how respondents felt about being gay in high school and how school staff could improve the experience. Few had happy high school memories. Most wanted teachers to actively interrupt homophobic and prejudiced behavior and promote awareness. Preservice teachers need preparation for such…

Summarizes research on the identification of children of substance abusers and on adolescents' views of their relationships with peers, family, and nonfamily adults. Implications for camp staff involve identifying and meeting the needs of children of substance abusers and demonstrating respect and understanding toward adolescent campers. (LP)

Summarizes research on single-parent households and families whose mothers have remarried. This research concentrates on the effect of marital transitions on family functioning and children's adjustment. Introduces a longitudinal study that examined transformations in marital, parent-child, and sibling relationships following the remarriage of a…

Sixth graders in adult care during out-of-school hours were contrasted with sixth graders in self-care. Results revealed no differences between adolescents in adult care and those in self-care at home. Girls in self-care who were more distant from adult supervision and lacking in parental acceptance and firm control reported more problem behavior.…

The articles of this special edition on education and development in adolescence share some common themes, raise points for debate, and offer new research ideas. Common themes emphasize the following: (1) diversity among adolescents; (2) simultaneity of multiple forms of development; and (3) multiple environmental influences on adolescents. (SLD)

Public education systems are mandated to give students the opportunity for intellectual development and to teach positive human relationships. Health clinic staffs and programs associated with the schools are the most effective way to come to grips with the dimensions that sex gives to the adolescent life. (SLD)

Examined the influence of school and classroom environmental factors, such as teacher discipline practices and teacher-student relations, on middle school students' motivation. Found that, compared to sixth-grade math teachers, middle school math teachers controlled students more, provided students with fewer decision-making opportunities, and…

This literature review offers a historical perspective on autism and its causes, examines family life cycles and experiences, summarizes research on stress and coping strategies, and gives particular attention to the needs of adolescents and young adults with autism and their families. (Author/JDD)

Assessed differences in masculinity, femininity, and sex role attitudes in adolescent girls and boys, and the relation of pubertal timing to intensification of those attitudes. Found that sex differences in masculinity and sex role attitudes increased with age. Pubertal timing was unrelated to masculinity, femininity, and sex role attitudes. (BC)

Reviews the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development Task Force Report (1989) "Turning Points" and looks at some successful middle school programs. Some issues discussed are diversity; self-deveelopment and self-definition; student participation; school and community; social interaction; school climate; and curriculum and instruction.…

A longitudinal ethnographic study of adolescent moral development in an Israeli kibbutz examined the process by which urban-born adolescents, "adopted" by the kibbutz, and their kibbutz-born peers are socialized into a cohesive group. Kibbutz educators support the development of democratic self-governing peer groups that foster community…

Reports on a study to determine how socioeconomic status influences adolescent premarital pregnancy. Finds that African Americans' risk of pregnancy is heightened by both contraceptive behavior and exposure to sexual intercourse. Also finds that the mother's educational level is a powerful inhibitor of pregnancy for both African Americans and…