Two studies examined concepts of personal autonomy and social roles among persons in different types of cultures. Found that Druze subjects attributed more power than Jewish subjects to males over females, but concepts of personal entitlements were prominent in both groups. Overall, findings indicated that social reasoning is heterogeneous in…

Examines role playing as a tool for changing teenagers' attitudes about sex behavior and the consequences of teen pregnancy. A sample of 267 ninth-grade students attending a high-risk urban school participated. Role playing and watching videos of friends' role playing significantly increased favorable attitudes toward abstinence in girls but not…

Before educators can address mathematics anxiety, they must recognize its presence and identify the complex factors that sustain it. The article discusses social and motivational factors that make it more prevalent among females, examines classroom interactions related to math anxiety, notes the consequences of math anxiety, and discusses…

A survey of 220,757 first-year students at 427 colleges in fall 1993 revealed that a record number of students, especially women, expect to pursue graduate degrees. Data are presented on the following characteristics: expected majors, age, ethnic and family background, educational background, reasons for college choice, educational goals, aid…

Describes a study of women in Australia enrolled in distance education programs that focused on the culturally different social setting they encountered. Portions of interviews are included that address issues related to gender, parenthood, career and employment, attitudes toward higher education, and motivation. (Contains 29 references.) (LRW)

Compared socialization, family, and mental health variables among 231 low socioeconomic status Hispanic and Anglo-American preadolescents and their mothers. Found that Anglo-American mothers, compared to Hispanic mothers, reported less rejection and inconsistent discipline, but also less cohesion. Anglo-American children reported less rejection,…

Reports on a study of student academic performance among 1,314 first-year business students at a technical university in Singapore. Concludes that older students, students with prior economic course experience, male students, and ethnic Chinese students performed better than their counterparts. (CFR)

Chinese secondary school students (n=242) and teachers (n=415) responded to the Chinese version of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ). Comparison of the scales derived from the four isolated factors with the original WCQ suggests that they are useful in studying a Chinese population. (SLD)

Reports on a study of the effects of culture, gender, and age on interpersonal distance, body orientation, and touch among 381 same-sex and mixed-sex dyads in 7 nations. Finds that more touch was observed among Italian and Greek dyads than among English, French, and Dutch dyads. (CFR)

Maintains that it is difficult to recruit and retain male students into vocal music programs. Asserts that if student attitudes are shaped positively in the early grades, it is more likely that male students will continue to participate. Provides five suggestions for recruiting male students at the middle and secondary grade levels. (CFR)

If the American goal in occupying Japan was to transform the nation from a militaristic, authoritarian state to a democratic one, the venture can be judged successful. Japan's postwar record in democratic education is good, if imperfect. Japan faces problems of bureaucratization and alienation, excessive achievement pressures on students, and…

Asserts that education means the transmission and reception of knowledge, abilities, skills, and consciousness so that individuals can become effective members of society. Discusses the failures of the educational system of the former Soviet Union. Describes a preferred type of schooling for Russian society in the 21st century. (CFR)

Explores why few men registered for and consistently dropped out of a college women's studies course. Interviews with nine men and a review of another student's journal show an uneasiness with being the gender minority in the class, feelings of repression, discomfort at being left out, yet a better appreciation for the minority experience in…

Reports on the results of a study of business undergraduates in Australia that was conducted to determine whether or not perceived knowledge of software, microcomputer experience, overall knowledge of computers, programming experience, and gender were predictors of computer anxiety. Use of the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale is discussed.…

Investigated whether elementary school girls' attributions about computer use follow a pattern of learned helplessness. Results from drill-and-practice and tutorial tasks involving 220 children show girls benefited from increased exposure time and that attributions to ease of task and ability predicted performance for both boys and girls.…