Although alcoholism has long been considered a serious problem, the impact of parental alcoholism on children has only recently begun to receive attention from researchers and clinicians. A review of the empirical literature on children of alcoholics was conducted and it was concluded that children raised in an alcoholic family are at increased risk for developing school problems, substance abuse in adolescence and/or adulthood, social difficulties, hyperactivity, low self-esteem, an external locus of control, and legal difficulties. Most studies on children of alcoholics obtained their samples from treatment groups. One study, using a nonclinical sample, suggests that the clinical alcoholic may not be representative of the alcoholic population in general. More studies using nonclinical samples are needed before results can be generalized. An examination of whether the empirical literature identifies the alcoholic family system as a unique form of systemic dysfunction or as equivalent to other pathological families revealed that only one study attempted to address this issue. Consequently, no definitive conclusions could be drawn. An examination of the alcoholic family system in light of the findings of clinicians who have worked extensively with alcoholic families focused on interpersonal relationships, co-dependency, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and emotional interactions among family members. A 63-item reference list concludes the document. (Author/NB)