Discusses the tradition of the Italian family and changes in family life since World War II. Examines socioeconomic differentiation and family forms; family structure and kinship networks; social policies and family solidarity; stability and family dissolution; and innovative processes in family life. Concludes that there is a profound change in…

Obtained data from 39 teenage mothers and 35 teenage non-mothers regarding their demographic and childhood backgrounds. Results revealed that compared to non-mothers, teenage mothers tended to have experienced foster care, family violence, parental substance abuse, lower educational achievements, as well as violence, alcohol abuse, and lower…

Creative writers (n=20) were interviewed to explore relationships between creativity and the creator's life as a parent and/or spouse. The experience of confronting family-related gender expectations influenced many writers. Writers reported benefits from the family's social support alongside restrictions on the solitude and time necessary for…

Since schools reflect society, rethinking American education demands rethinking other dimensions of society (government organization, business involvement, and the American family). The article discusses the need to confront many societal and institutional decisions that must precede decisions about the future of American education. The focus is…

Described coparenting processes in two-parent families raising firstborn toddler boys (n=69). Developmental analysis indicated that the mean frequency of total events and supportive exchanges remained unchanged from 15 months to 21 months, whereas unsupportive interactions decreased and mixed events increased. Individual differences in mothers'…

This article describes an ecocultural approach to assessing families of young children with developmental disabilities, drawing heavily on information about families' daily routines and accommodations. The role of place and context in assessment is discussed, and case material from two current projects is provided to illustrate the assessment and…

Examines hypothesis that effect children have on parents' marriage is due to stress in parental role. Collected data from 287 intact couples with children living at home. Findings indicate parenting was affected by number of children and economic distress, but not by other roles. For both spouses, psychological well-being and perceived marital…

Focusing on the United States as a case study, explores the nature of responsibility for children and families in America; attitudes toward responsibility for children and families; issues to be considered when shaping responsibility for children and families; and possible change if strategies for improving services to children and families are…

Examined connection between parents' marital relationship and parenting styles to peer-related outcomes. Analysis of boys' (n=62) and parents' reports on marriage over a four-year period indicate that children who experience emotional closeness within the family might not need high levels of social attention and approval from peers. (RJM)

Andy Garrison, an award-winning independent filmmaker, discusses his association with the Dayton (OH) Community Media Workshop and with Appalshop, the eastern Kentucky media arts center. His interests lie in making films that suggest political or social statements as evidenced in his most recent films, Fat Monroe and Night Shift, which depict…

Family policy is a critical area of concern for family professionals. A model of political decision making is presented that includes values, politics, and capability dimensions. Strategies for family professionals to address each dimension are presented, as are guidelines for effective communication with policymakers. (Author)

Identified strengths and needs of Japanese grandparents as perceived by three generations. Grandparents reported more satisfaction, greater success, and more extensive involvement in teaching than was observed by parents and grandchildren. Significant main effects that influenced responses about grandparent performance included generation, gender…

Examined the impact of married women's work on the well-being of husbands. Proposed that the social context and the meaning given to women's work influences husbands' well-being. Results indicate that the social context within which women's work is embedded is different for black husbands and white husbands. (RJM)

Examines whether the rising percentage of unmarried adults would affect the level of social support between adult children and their parents. The only major effect found was for coresidence. Neither divorced children in general nor divorced daughters or divorced single parents in particular posed a special burden to parents. (RJM)

Examined gender differences in the factors that predispose middle-aged children to provide instrumental social support to their elderly parents. Findings indicated that intergenerational affection is the factor that most motivates daughters to provide support, while filial obligation, legitimation of inheritance, and frequency of contact most…