This paper presents a discussion of the importance of voluntary childlessness as a contemporary social phenomenon. The negative attitudes associated with voluntary childlessness are discussed in a brief summary of recent literature. An exploration of the methodological limitations of existing research is included which emphasizes its usefulness…

Presented in this paper is a framework to examine environmental influences on learning. The framework identifies factors from several environments--the home, the community, and the larger sociocultural context--and links them with school policy and operations. Methodological considerations important to further investigation of these environmental…

This report presents data concerned with: (1) the feasibility of a home-based instructional program for disadvantaged 4 and 5 year old children in Israel, administered by non-professional aides, and (2) the effectiveness of such a program as reflected in (a) the academic and intellectual gains of children involved, and (b) the spill-over effects…

Based upon a review of the literature, the report examines some of the causes of antisocial behavior among youths. Aspects covered include the adult prognosis for antisocial children, childhood predictors of adult delinquency, the etiology of antisocial behavior in both children and adults, the effects of parental discipline and of separation from…

THE PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF BOYS WHOSE MASCULINE IDENTIFICATION IS BASED ON ONE OF THREE MECHANISMS--FATHER'S NURTURANCE, FATHER'S PUNITIVENESS, OR FATHER'S NURTURANCE TOGETHER WITH HIS PUNITIVENESS WERE COMPARED. BOYS WITH VARYING MASCULINITY RATINGS WERE COMPARED ON THEIR PERCEPTION OF THE DEGREE OF PARENTAL NURTURANCE OR PUNITIVENESS,…

The first aim of this study was to investigate the influence of child spacing, family size, and parental income and educational level on the way parents perceive and conceptualize the world around them and children within the family. A second aim was to explore the relationship between parents' belief systems regarding children's cognitive…

One of a series of papers which focus on 10- to 15-year-old adolescents, this publication describes these young people as they work through developmental tasks in environments (families, communities, peer groups, and schools) that are part of their daily lives. This description is used as a basis to accomplish the following: (1) a further…

In a sample of more than 400 fifth grade students, the reading comprehension levels of children living with both parents and children living with only one parent were compared. Data were collected on the demographic variables of race, student sex, family organization (two parents/one parent), parent educational level, family occupational prestige,…

RECOGNITION OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS OF CULTURALLY AND SOCIALLY DEPRIVED CHILDREN TOGETHER WITH THE GROWING EVIDENCE OF THE EFFECTS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT ON LATER EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT HAS LED TO THE PROPOSING OF LARGE-SCALE PROGRAMS TO ATTACK THESE PROBLEMS. IT SEEMS THAT SPECIAL NURSERY SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS OFFER THE…

One of the most important assumptions of modern theories about self-image is that the maintenance and enhancement of the perceived self is the motive behind all behavior. Sense of self may be based on the views of others, it may be the result of interactions with others who provide meaning of self through their responses, it may come from…

This study examines the need for programs for the disadvantaged child in Newfoundland, and illustrates what directions such programs must take to be effective. A sample was taken of 120 children in grades 1, 3, and 5 of two schools. The family background variables examined were father's and mother's occupation and education, the number of children…

A study was conducted on 42 adults in west central Minnesota to identify emerging patterns of educational barriers, explore the relationships among the barriers, and determine the effect barriers have in influencing the adult learner's participation in education. The study used three anthropological fieldwork techniques: Network analysis using the…

This is the first of a two-volume collection of research-based readings dealing with the New Zealand adolescent. This volume deals with home, school, socio-emotional and sexual influences on adolescent development. The following topics are included: the generation gap; sex education in the schools; venereal disease; adolescent hopes and fears;…

Part of a larger study of father-son farms, this study explored the decision-making patterns of farm families which have self-designated father-son, joint farming arrangements. Emphasis was upon the determination of: (1) personal and situational factors which are explanative of the father's or son's perception of decision-making involvement and…