Investigated predictors of psychological distress among infertility clinic patients. Analyses indicated that infertile men and women reported greater psychological distress than the general population. Self-blame and avoidance coping significantly predicted psychological distress among men and women. Increased age and childlessness added to…

Examined relationship between family network variables and chances of survival among 487 persons born in 1902 and 1903. Strongest predictor for death before age 80 was being single for men and being single and/or married (as opposed to divorced or widowed) for women. For both sexes, marital status was strongest predictor for survival but in…

Examined United States survey data from the 1950s through the 1980s for changes in family life norms and values. Found in 1960s and 1970s data a weakening of imperative to marry and remain married, stay monogamous, have children, and maintain gender role separation. Observed flattening of trends during early 1980s. Links family life trends to…

Notes that significant changes have occurred in recent times to the structure and dynamics of family life in Britain. Examines trends and issues related to marriage, cohabitation, fertility, extramarital births, divorce, one-parent families, remarriage and stepfamilies, children in families, employment, and the future of social policy in Britain.…

Analyzed data from San Francisco 85+ Study to examine families of oldest-old African Americans (n=122). Found that women received more help from relatives and friends, and men received more help from immediate family members. Findings also indicated that principle of substitution operated among some segments of older African-American population,…

Compares six indicators of adults' lives for those who become parents and those remaining childless. Becoming a parent was found to be both detrimental and rewarding. With the exception of social integration, which is greater for all groups of new parents, compared with childless counterparts, the effects of parental status vary markedly by gender…

This report on Michigan's demographics examines the changing composition of Michigan's households and the ramification for Michigan schools. The report states that between 1980 and 2000, Michigan's population grew by 7.3 percent, while the number of households grew by 590,448, or 18 percent. Households are growing faster than the population…

Discusses issues faced by Hispanic women choosing alternatives to motherhood. Dedication to career is the primary reason for choosing childlessness. Spouse's support is crucial to overcoming family criticism and the cultural devaluation of women who are not mothers, especially for Hispanic Americans. Suggests separation of motherhood from female…

The sociocultural aspects of infertility among members of the matrilineal ethnic group Macua are studied. Strategies applied by infertile women, the use of traditional healers versus modern hospital, and explanations given for infertility are presented. Solutions attempted, social consequences of infertility, and recommendations for culturally…

A population survey was undertaken to study infertility in Gambia. All infertile women in 24 randomly selected enumeration areas were assessed. Problems faced, coping mechanisms employed, and types of health care available were examined. Patterns of consultation with traditional versus formal health care and rural/urban differences were uncovered…

Compared the transitions to adoptive and biological parenthood. Adoptive parents had more positive expectations and satisfying experiences than biological parents. Expectations and depressive mood predicted parental experiences for both groups; ego strength for biological parents; and feelings of deprivation, social support, and self-concept for…

Data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Labor Market Experience of Youth are used to examine and contrast the effects of family context and individual characteristics on adolescents' expectations about adolescent fertility, nonmarital childbearing, family size, and childlessness. Socioeconomic and racial patterns are identified. (SLD)

The issue of combining careers and child rearing has come into public consciousness because so many more women with children now work. This means that there are many more families where both parents work. Women are voicing a growing sense of disillusionment regarding earnings, occupational segregation, child care difficulties, and performing two…

The relationship between learning and family formation and dissolution was examined through a review of the literature that focused on education and family life in Great Britain and elsewhere. The following topics were examined: learning, marriage, and cohabitation; learning, dissolution, and divorce; changing patterns of childbearing in…