Homo sapiens is the only extant species for which there exists a significant post-reproductive period in the normal lifespan. Explanations for the evolution of this species-specific trait are possible through "non-deterministic" theories of aging positing "wear and tear" or the failure of nature to eliminate imperfection, or…

Frequently, the principle reason for institutionalizing cognitively impaired older persons is the caregivers' inability to continue providing help, and not the severity of deficits. Factors related to the caregivers' feelings of burden in a sample of 29 community-living older persons with senile dementia were investigated. Caregivers were spouses…

The relationship between age and residential factors in environmental preference was investigated by measuring the degree to which recently institutionalized elderly adapted to the new environment. Their needs and preferences for environmental qualities of stiumulation, order and privacy were assessed and compared with a matched sample of older…

More people in the United States today are living to grandparenting age than ever before. Yet little is known about grandparenting. Although the research is limited, there seem to be factors that influence the grandparenting role for grandparents, and thus influence children and grandchildren. For example many of these older individuals are…

Do women go through identifiable developmental stages? Can generalizable patterns of transition be found, and if so, do these patterns differ according to the age of the respondent? What are women's most difficult and most satisfying times of life? To provide some exploratory quantitative data on these questions, a sample of 120 women completed a…

A key concept in understanding a person's lifestyle is family constellation. Data on birth order and ordinal position of a child in the family can provide the trained observer with an immediate impression of grouping within the family and the position an individual perceives himself to hold. Observers trained in lifestyle assessment sought to…

This study is concerned with descriptive characteristics of 575 black elderly born in the West Indies (WI), the South (S) and the North (N), age 60 and older, living in the poverty areas of New York City. The sample is part of a larger replicated probability sample of 1552 elderly in a primary study undertaken by the New York City Department for…

Presented are suggestions to help the automobile driver attain the saving of fuel and money. Discussed are starting and stopping; anticipation of traffic conditions; use of accessories; trip planning; and accomodation of pedestrians and cyclists. Additional topics covered include systematic car maintenance and safety considerations. (RE)

Factors which mediate the life decisions of college men and women were examined. Undergraduates (N=107) completed questionnaires about career and family plans, notions of success and failure, integration of two potentially conflicting roles, and the relationship between personal values, life goals, and choices. Results indicated that: (1) women…

This report deals with how American parents are raising their children in a period of rapid social change. The study was conducted in three stages: an intensive exploratory phase based on eight focus-group discussions in different areas of the country with both parents and children; in-depth interviews with nearly 100 experts who deal with the…

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the relationship between a gay male's low self-esteem and environmental oppression, thereby establishing guidelines for the counselor in directing the client toward a more positive gay identity. This document is divided into the following sections: (1) Initial Interview; (2) Theory of…

The study examined the changes in the quality of life of country families in four eastern Kentucky counties between 1960 and 1973. Since quality of life is an abstract concept, the changes were assessed with respect to income, occupation, and level of living. The aim was to assess the changes in both objective and subjective terms as the families…

A unique approach to teaching human sexuality at the college level is to present the content and raise sociological and interpersonal value questions from different lifestyle viewpoints. Developing a course such as this has involved securing approval and encouragement from university administration who trust faculty judgment but who are under…

This brief presentation discusses various problems older adults face. First, older adults are described, and old age is defined. Old age starts after 50, and older adults should not be considered as a homogeneous group; thay fall into many different categories which enrich rather than impoverish them as a group. The long experience they have had…

The effect of physical mobility on news consumption and on preference for a particular news medium for different geographic news was investigated in this study. A survey of 652 residents of Lansing, Michigan, linked levels of mass media news usage to the extent of residential mobility and to national and foreign traveling indexes. Demographic…