Examined children's performance in the first two years of school so as to determine effects of parent configuration on reading and math scores. Found that children whose families had more economic resources and whose parents had higher expectations for their school performance consistently outperformed other children in reading and math. (RJM)

Examines single-parent families headed by fathers. Studied specially constructed child files from the 1960-90 Public Use Microdata Samples data from the Census of Population. Findings showed single-father families generally rare but increasing. Social capital of children's fathers, availability of adults, and children's economic well-being vary…

This article provides an overview of important family and environmental factors that affect early development of infants and children with Down syndrome. It concludes that a moderately directive parenting style combined with sensitive, responsive, and reciprocal interactions, embedded in a general stimulating environment, are favorable to the…

The Morocco Literacy Survey, which directly assessed various individual competencies, and a self-report were completed by 8,050 Moroccans in 2,240 households. Analysis of age cohorts revealed that Morocco halved illiteracy in the past three decades, but rural-urban and gender disparities widened. Literacy classification by self-report or…

Investigates Mexican-American elementary-age children with older siblings who were either high school dropouts or persisters. Results indicate that siblings of dropouts had lower expectations of completing high school and had more absences than did siblings of persisters. Recommends that schools use absenteeism and expectancy in identifying…

The experiences of five gifted black males in a predominantly white university setting were examined. Significant factors that influenced their achievement included influential mothers, recognition of giftedness, and support from significant teachers and mentors. Additional factors included involvement in extracurricular activities and positive…

Examined longitudinally the relationship between biological and social risk factors and aggressive behavior patterns among high-risk Australian adolescents in three groups: early-onset persistent aggression, adolescent-onset aggression, and nonaggressive behavior groups. Findings revealed that the interaction of biological and social risk factors…

A study of 107 low-income, Mexican American adolescents aged 10-13 in Los Angeles found that students' educational and occupational expectations were most strongly related to "social persuasion"--the expectations communicated by parents, teachers, and peers--but were not related to family attainment or neighborhood variables. Educational…

A study examined whether protective factors reduce the effects of depression in American Indian and Alaska Native adolescents. Surveys of 2,034 Native high school students from 33 states indicated that depression moderately influenced self-perceived health status and that caring and connectedness counteracted the risk factors from depression that…

A study of the effect of parent-school relationship improvement efforts on student achievement examined operation of home-reading programs in five disadvantaged Australian primary schools. Advantages in reading achievement for the children (n=140) persisted for children of high-contact and high-support parents after three years. (Author/MSE)

Tests the effects (in a large field study) of family communication environment and parental mediation of television content on third, sixth, and ninth graders' (1) perceptions of the realism of television content and its similarity to real life; and (2) their identification with television characters. Finds that the parent directly mediates…

The process of choosing a scientific major was examined in a nationally representative sample of 2,592 male and female college students of above-average ability. Socioeconomic status, high school teacher and guidance counselor influences, family and personal life priorities, and attendance at a four-year college were predictive factors. (TJH)

Reviews studies of maternal employment, processes in child care settings, and the link between children's development and family and child care influences. Critically evaluates the risk for children's social and emotional development that may result from infant child care. (BB)

Three sources of variability in school achievement of children from demographically homogeneous families were identified: (1) socioeconomic status, (2) family configuration, which are direct and environmentally mediated effects of families' demographic characteristics, and (3) individual differences in the quality of the early environment. (RH)

Highlights critical gender and family issues affecting elderly people who are Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian and Pacific Americans, Blacks, and Hispanic Americans. Stresses the diversity within each cultural group and sources of strength in minority families. (SK)