Children's developing concept of time is important in socialization, but a contradiction is implied in asking children to educate themselves for the future when both children and adults are aware of the threat of nuclear annihilation. The development of time concepts can be traced through infancy, preschool, elementary school and adolescence, and children must learn time concepts in order to learn to control impulses, to endure frustration, and to plan and establish personal relationships. Research by Escalona and others shows that knowledge of the possibility of nuclear annihilation negatively affects children's planning for the future and their relationships with adults. Adults should therefore show their concern about the nuclear issue. (CB)