Findings from a study of the etiology of alcoholism and conduct disorders that involved 3-year-old sons of alcoholic fathers are reported. The study focused on intact nuclear families with a son who was 3 years old at the time of initial data collection and a father who was diagnosed as definitely or probably alcoholic. Alcoholic families were…

This study concerned effects of maternal work hours, education, and sex of child on the amount of supervision and guidance of children's study and homework and the amount of cognitive stimulation provided by the mother. Analyses were conducted to examine the relative contribution of commitment to the parental role and role strain to parent-child…

Research has shown that parents may influence the sexual attitudes and behaviors of their late adolescent children. Family sexual communication and the quality of general family communication are two variables that seem to be related to aspects of adolescent sexuality. To examine this issue, college students (N=95) and their parents were…

Designed to be an example of how elementary and secondary schools can involve parents in their children's education, this guide is a compilation of letters to parents, memos, newsletters, and general information concerning Parkway (Missouri) School District's Parent Volunteer program, focusing primarily on the reading program. The first of the…

In recent years, great interest has been generated in the determinants of science achievement. This study examines some of the postulated determinants of science achievement at the elementary level. The determinants examined are gender, parental occupation, socio-economic status, school gender, and school type. The 977 students who served as…

This study investigated reasons for college choice as detected by the American College Testing (ACT) Corporation's "ACT Alumni Survey." The data were compiled between January 1980 and May 1988 from 172 colleges and universities throughout 42 states, with 77,361 alumni responding. Responses indicated significant differences in the reasons…

Parents have a pervasive and continual influence on their children's career development, beginning with early childhood and continuing as the child progresses through fantasy, exploration, tentative and trial stages of career development, and as the child responds to the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" The child's readiness for…

Significant reductions in adult illiteracy can be achieved most cost-effectively by focusing more resources on the education of women. These monies contribute not only to women's development but also to the educational achievement of their children. Educated adults have more influence on their children's education; the children become literate…

Parents have a major influence on their children's attitudes toward work and life. Handicapped youth, who have more difficulty than other youth in making the transition from school to work and adult life, have a special need for parental guidance. Parents can play key roles in transition, especially in the areas of career exploration, job search…

Self-study course materials for parents who wish to learn more about 6- to 12-year-old children are provided. Lessons focus on (1) growth and development; (2) relations between chronological ages and developmental stages; (3) self-concept; and (4) communication. Lesson 1 discusses physical, emotional, social, and mental development. Lesson 2 lists…

Ways in which parents influence children's developing perceptions of their academic competence were examined in a study of 81 academically competent third-graders and their parents. The study was designed to (1) determine whether the illusion of incompetence documented for fifth-graders appears in younger children, (2) examine whether parents'…

This compilation of information for teachers and parents translates important aspects of research regarding children's social development and peer relationships into strategies that can be used by parents and teachers to understand and help children who need to develop more effective ways to deal with peers. The publication includes three topical…

A study examined both the structure and the content of picture book interactions of 30 mothers with their 12-, 15-, or 18-month-old children. Interactions were videotaped in a laboratory playroom. Among the factors observed were the nature of the two partners' contributions as a function of the child's age, and the extent to which the mother gave…

The effects of parenting styles on children's self-esteem were examined by dividing the empirical literature into three age groups: the preschool child; the elementary child; and the adolescent. Major literature reviews by W. C. Becker, B. Martin, and E. E. Maccoby and J. A. Martin are discussed and inconsistencies among the reviews are examined.…

In the spring of 1984, the San Diego (California) Unified School District's Research Department initiated a five-year study of the district's 1984 senior high school graduates. The study documents graduates' transition from high school into young adulthood, beginning shortly after graduation. Focus is on: (1) providing information to district…