Examines factors influencing friendship development of two Chinese immigrant adolescent girls, one who preferred friends of the same ethnicity and one who did not. Degree of acculturation partly determined psychological proximity to friends, and parent support played an important role in these adolescents' friendships. (SLD)

Case studies of six black males explored background, school and work experiences, and career issues. These themes emerged: fathers' financial support and role modeling influenced career development; other male role models affected aspirations; social, especially parental support for education and careers influenced decision making; and racism…

Using longitudinal analysis, examines the interactive relationship among parent drug use, bonding to parents, and child substance use in families (N=150) headed by substance abusers. Results indicate that substance use prevention in children of substance abusers should focus both on reducing parent drug use and on promoting bonding to abstinent…

Investigated the relationship between language competence, joint attention, and interaction between mothers and toddlers that fosters joint attention. Found no correlation between joint attention and concurrent language, yet joint attention was related to toddler age when correlated with language. Suggested that nonostensive settings need further…

A survey of 382 students in four-year automotive technology programs found that reputation of the program and the university were key enrollment influences. Other factors influencing choice included campus visits, parents/relatives, counselors/teachers, technology-based recruitment activities, and friends. (Contains 31 references.) (SK)

Dutch adolescents, ages 12 to 14, completed the Utrect-Groningen Identity Development Scale, which encompasses separate scales for commitment in exploration for relational, school, and occupational identity. Results show that relational identity becomes consistently stronger as adolescents age, and that for girls, relational identity is much more…

Summarizes trends and recent declines in adolescent pregnancy, abortion, and adoption relinquishment. Reviews research regarding adolescent pregnancy resolution decision-making. Discusses contextual factors, such as attitudes and socialization about abortion, parenting, and adoption, and the influence of parents and partners on likelihood of…

Examined the influence of demographics and family factors on adolescent's consumption of healthy meals and fruits and vegetables. Surveys indicated that healthy eaters were more likely to: be white, Asian, and male; communicate well with parents; be monitored by their parents; live with one or both parents; spend less time at home alone; and…

Uses Lewin's field theory as a framework to appraise children's momentary state of curiosity and exploratory behavior. Discusses two levels of analysis: child-stimulus situation and child-stimulus-adult situation. Argues that a parent can be a barrier hindering a child's exploration, or a facilitator to remove barriers. (Author/SD)

Reports using data from the Denver Youth Survey to investigate the influence of family factors in predicting adolescent victimization. Results indicate that family context (particularly parental problem behavior), family involvement, adolescent social isolation from the family, and positive parenting were predictive of adolescent victimization,…

Reviews research by June Gordon, appearing in the June issue of "Teachers College Record," that explored why Asian Americans were underrepresented in the teaching profession. Major reasons that Asian Americans avoided the teaching profession were parent pressure, lack of self-confidence, fear of working in an unfamiliar environment, and…

Examined parent-child resemblance and mutual transmission of two kinds of attitudes (cultural and economic conservatism), categorizing adolescents into four levels of youth centrism. Data from Dutch adolescents, young adults, and their parents indicated that youth centrism moderated political orientation, with the four groups reacting differently…

Changes in rituals and routines between drinking and sobriety were examined in families in treatment due to paternal alcohol abuse. Information was gathered through a semistructured family interview. Recurrent disruptions of rituals and routines were found between different phases in the drinking cycle. Disruptions were found typically with regard…

Studies of families with gifted adolescents have revealed conflicting results. Adolescents, mothers, and fathers of 84 families with a gifted adolescent and of 95 families with a non-gifted adolescent evaluated their family system independently. Dependent variables were cohesion, democratic family style (adaptability), organisation, achievement…

A brief review of the social and educational context of Hong Kong shows that the publication of the "General guidelines on moral education in schools" in 1981, by the Hong Kong Education Department, marked a milestone in the development of moral education. The "Guidelines" explicitly asserted moral education as one function of schooling, whilst…