Interviews with 36 adult part-time students found that, even in late adulthood, family background and parental support (moral and financial, help with housework and child care) influence educational participation. Parental disapproval or the need to provide elder care were negative influences on participation. (SK)

Determined the proportion of children of alcoholics (COA) in an African-American population of 649 adolescents, and examined the relationship between COA status, self-esteem, age, and gender on their own drinking. One in four were COAs, and 27% of drinkers were COAs. Age, low self-esteem, and COA status were predictors of alcohol drinking. (SLD)

Hypothesized that parenting exhibits either a compensatory or buffering effect on age-related increases in adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems. Collected data for five years from mothers, fathers, and adolescent children. Found significant gender differences in growth trajectories of externalizing and internalizing problems.…

Investigated the endings of sibling conflicts in 40 families at two time periods. Observed four types of conflict endings: compromise, reconciliation, submission and no resolution. Found that conflict typically ended with no resolution, followed by submission, compromise and finally reconciliation. Discovered that parents influence conflict…

Focuses on the contribution of working-class mothers to girls' academic achievement. Defines two types of working-class families based on their gender relations. Concludes that, although neither type of working-class mother may become greatly involved in formal aspects of schooling, their relationships with daughters strongly influence the girls'…

Reviews the report of a study that examined the effects of maternal depression on children. Provides detailed chapter descriptions including positive comments on the use of case studies, interviews, and tests. Comments negatively on the positioning of the main thesis and the complex jargon that might limit the audience. (SD)

Investigated relationships between urban parents' reasons for choosing magnet schools and their levels of satisfaction, involvement, and influence at school. Parents chose schools for many reasons and were highly satisfied with their choices. Parents reasons for choice are important predictors of their level of satisfaction, influence, and…

Argues that systematically investigating proximal processes as unifying and overriding forces in human development may be an overlooked aspect of contemporary developmental science. A study of 10,000 high school students showed that those whose parents were more involved in school performed better in school, irrespective of the parents' gender or…

Sessions of a parent-training intervention were tested to determine their effect on parenting practices. Rural families (N=209) were assigned to an intervention or control group. Parents in the intervention group noted improvements in parenting behaviors. Effects were most pronounced among mothers. The study increased plausibility that…

Responses from 108 African American junior high school students indicated that younger ones were more likely to be influenced by television role models. Amount of television viewing and gender did not influence career aspirations. Higher levels of mothers' education were a significant predictor of television influence on career aspiration;…

Notes that fathers' involvement in the preschool classroom is typically less than mothers'. Outlines ways educators can encourage fathers to be involved in children's preschool experiences through: (1) parent teacher conferences; (2) field trips and special events; (3) group time sharing; (4) calling home; (5) drop off/pick up; (6) positive…

Examines the development of children's caring behavior. Suggests that caring behavior is evident from infancy, and notes the importance of individual differences, the role of modeling and encouraging empathy, and the importance of considering the impact of television and child rearing practices. Differentiates reinforcement from encouragement of…

Examined patterns of correlations among selected parental, contextual, and child characteristics accounting for variance in observed quality of parent-infant interaction and infant development with 15-month-olds and their families. Found that parental ego-resiliency and education, partner support, and infant social fearfulness explained…

Examined relative influence of peer and parenting behavior on changes in adolescent gang involvement and gang-related delinquency among ninth-graders. Found that gang involvement decreased over the school year, with average levels of gang delinquency remaining constant. Gang involvement and gang-related delinquency were most strongly predicted by…

Predictive value of maternal age and education in relation to rates of mental retardation in a 3-year-birth cohort (n=267,277) was studied. Low maternal education placed individuals at increased risk for both educable mentally handicapped and trainable mentally handicapped placement. Older maternal age was associated with increased risk of mental…