The ability of the opportunity cost framework to predict the risk of a teen birth is tested by analyzing the relationship between adolescents perceptions of opportunity and the odds of a teen birth across levels of community opportunity. Patterns of this relationship are compared across African American, Latina, and White teens and across…

This article explores how employment affects the likelihood of dropout among high school students in Baltimore, a high-poverty city with a high dropout rate. Among 15-year-olds, those with teen jobs (e.g., lawn mowing, babysitting, etc.) were less than one third as likely to drop out as those who took adult-type jobs (manufacturing or business).…

This article explores the relationship between the use of corporal punishment in the public schools and the amount of social capital (i.e., residents degree of involvement in community matters) in a state. Existing state-level data regarding social capital and incidents of corporal punishment were utilized. Results show a statistically significant…

A census of homeless youth was conducted in locations across Los Angeles County, California. Building on previous research that has focused on homeless youth in cruise areas, the authors examined demographic and behavioral differences between homeless youth in cruise and noncruise areas. Youth in cruise areas were more likely than youth in…

Asserts that the emphasis on explaining individual differences in political orientations among preadults accounts for "the disappointing contribution of political socialization research to political understanding." Argues that "possessing an explicit model of democratic citizenship would provide greater political meaning to empirical data."…

Searches for connections between socialization and change. Suggests that the views of Marx and Weber are more helpful to understanding the origins of political socialization and change than the three explanations currently in the literature, that is, explanations based on uncommon people, dissident subcultures, or changing generations. (Author/JM)

Evaluates two models of generational political research: the lineage model in which generations are defined in terms of biological succession within family units, and the cohort model, in which generations are defined in terms of the common and unique life experiences (and socialization) of individuals born and raised in a particular time period.…

Investigates three propositions: that important political learning occurs during childhood and adolescence, that such learning is shaped by socializing agents, and that early political learning tends to persist and/or to exert an impact on later political learning and behavior. Discusses an analysis of data concerning adolescent and adult…

Asserts that the role of biologically transmitted individual differences needs to be explored fully, examines the assumptions underlying the emphasis on childhood in empirical research, and examines the nature, persistance and later impact of two sorts of orientations which may be acquired in childhood, political attitudes and party…

Suggests that many educational changes have potentially significant implications for the extent and direction of political socialization fostered by the schools. Discusses some of the alternative impacts these changes may have on the politicization occurring in the community, and suggests that this situation presents unique research opportunities.…

Identifies four major areas of recent investigations: cross-cultural studies of political socialization, the focus on the interactive nature of the individual in the process of learning about politics, the need to examine the comparative impacts of the various agencies of political socialization, and methodological and conceptual refinements.…

The "push" explanation emphasizes parental failure to meet the needs of the child and adolescent and to establish a satisfactory parent-adolescent relationship. The "pull" explanation states that an adolescent is led by peers to become less favorably oriented toward parents. Presents research findings supporting the "push" explanation. (Author/JM)

Examines two aspects of adolescence that are components of an explanation of delinquency other than social class; school status and delinquent subcultural involvement. Analysis of data from a longitudinal panel study of males in the Pacific Northwest indicates that both components are related to delinquency. (Author/JM)

A survey of attitudes of upper middle class American and Israeli youth reveals pronounced differences. Whereas the Israelis tend to view their society as an extension of their own family and acknowledge their obligations to both, the Americans trust only the family, regarding it as more important than any other social entity. (Author/JM)

Examines the hypothesis that college has a substantial effect on political interest, awareness, and knowledge by comparing college students with a control group of noncollege cohorts. Finds that the effect of the passage of four years increases the awareness and knowledge of youth regardless of whether or not those years are spent in college.…