Presents a simple framework for (1) demonstrating how households determine schooling investments through choice and voice; and (2) considering effects of decentralization on household behaviors, given information problems. Some aspects of decentralization may increase efficiency; others may be neutral or decrease efficiency. Further research is…

This article addresses issues in parent-child attachment, identifies the implications such attachment relations have for child development, and provides strategies to facilitate optimal parent-child attachment. Strategies for early child educators include speaking up and helping if awkward attachment relations are sensed and honoring and affirming…

Analysis of data from the Iowa Youth and Families Project establishes that parents' social involvement is a source of social capital for their children. Rural children's connection to a civic culture and their involvement in community groups are encouraged by parental social participation and further enhanced by parents' ties to farming. (Contains…

Examined familial and peer correlates of eating attitudes in 38 American and 70 Japanese preadolescent girls. Responses showed correlates of eating attitudes shared by American and Japanese girls were self-perception of being overweight, number of friends dieting, and frequency of talking with mother about food and diet. Japanese girls were more…

Tested the hypothesis that home environment positively predicts academic intrinsic motivation from childhood through early adolescence, controlling for socioeconomic status. Found that home environment had statistically positive and significant, direct and indirect paths to academic intrinsic motivation; children whose homes had greater emphasis…

Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health provide modest support for an association between adolescents' expectations for their future health and educational attainment and their risk-taking behaviors involving early sexual intercourse, selling drugs, and weapon use. Noteworthy "school climate" predictors were found,…

A study identified social, educational, and demographic characteristics of 30 postsecondary students who demonstrated strong reading and writing skills. Factors included were parental involvement in early education and educational decisions, extensive family communication, early exposure to and intensive experiences with reading and writing, and…

A mediation model was used to test effects of poverty on the mathematics and reading achievement of young adolescents. A revised model indicated that poverty was associated with mathematics and reading achievement indirectly. Associations depended upon level of cognitively stimulating home environments, emotionally supportive home environments,…

A study of 459 part-time graduate and undergraduate students with full-time jobs in Hong Kong found that support of employers and families had a significant relationship with perceived job performance and satisfaction with family and work life. Academic performance was not significantly correlated with perceived employer and family support.…

A study involving 64 Australian sex offenders and 33 non-sex offenders found childhood emotional abuse and family dysfunction, childhood behavior problems, and childhood sexual abuse were developmental risk factors for paraphilia. Emotional abuse and family dysfunction was found to be a risk factor for pedophilia, exhibitionism, rape, or multiple…

Analyzes the extent that black and white students differ in cultural capital and educational resources and whether these attributes mediate the relation between family background and racial disparities in achievement. Suggests that racial variations in cultural and educational resources vary while these resources have a small mediating effect on…

Three responses to an article on implications for teacher education of school violence examine: (1) teacher educators' roles in preparing teachers to detect problems in students; (2) the need for family involvement (because trying to reach students in school is too late); and (3) reasons for school violence (family influence, parent…

Examined ability of individuals biologically predisposed to poor spatial skills to capitalize on opportunities to develop these skills. Found that for girls with brothers, those from all right-handed families had lower mental-rotation scores than did others. Among children participating in mental-rotation-type activities with their brothers,…

Schools and society have roles in creating low self-esteem among young African American males, who encounter negative statements and put-downs. Addresses the power of words as used in the home, school, and community, underscoring the importance of parents and educators considering the potency of words, stressing the need for thoughtful use of…

Examined how the implementation of a family literacy program for parents in a new immigrant Hispanic community provided knowledge about specific ways to enhance children's literacy learning at home. Surveys of participating mothers indicated that involved families had richer literacy knowledge and skills, used more literacy practices, and had a…