A theoretical and empirical investigation of the family size decision is reported. The distinguishing feature of the study is its emphasis on the relationship between investment in and desired number of children. The basic argument is that in determining the level of benefits they want to receive from children and child-related activities, parents…

Higher education is exhibiting three trends or influences: (1) declining enrollments; (2) a low priority for postsecondary education relative to other demands on our public and personal budgets; and (3) scarce resources. The author expresses some skepticism about the strength of these influences. The birth rate is declining, but enrollments are…

This guide is to help professional personnel who are involved in the distribution of financial aid understand how the parent's and the student's expected contributions are derived. It prepares the financial aid administrator to consider individual adjustments that may be appropriated in the amounts expected from the student and his family in…

The family contribution schedule proposed by the Office of Education for use in computing the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant program in the school year 1976-77 was examined by the Senate committee and its witnesses. The liberalization of asset treatment for all individuals, especially those with small farms, is noted. The new schedule should…

Poverty in New York City has been studied but never the specific problem of the Jewish minority groupings. The present study was geared towards presenting the incidences of poverty within the Jewish population in New York City and in presenting the beginning sociological picture of poverty among Jews. The study went through three phases. A first…

Conditions for most black families are getting worse both absolutely as well as relative to whites. The following aspects of this situation are discussed: (1) economic determinants, especially unemployment; and (2) changes in family structure as a means of strengthening black families. (PS)

A longitudinal study of the varying impact of educational sponsorship on the early professional careers of male college graduates of elite and nonelite social origins suggests that attendance at high quality colleges benefits the children of nonelite families more than it does those of elite backgrounds. (Author/SK)

In 1997, the Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) program was established in Arkansas as the state's version of welfare reform. Although there has been a 44 percent decrease in TEA cash assistance since the program's inception, questions continue regarding the impact of welfare reform on families with children. This report highlights some of…

This report examines the use of child care vouchers in January 1998 by Illinois and Maryland families who were current or former recipients of cash assistance; also examined are changes between January 1997 and January 1998 in voucher use by children who were ever connected to cash assistance. Information was obtained through administrative data…

This symposium explores the impact of a range of family resources on children's successful transition from middle to high school. The five case studies that form this symposium examine the ways in which children's experiences at school are directly related to their parents' knowledge of school structure and bureaucracy; self- confidence in making…

The family is examined as a focal unit of production and a home production activity model is developed. An interdisciplinary approach is used which puts the broad range of family activities on a continuum from production to consumption. (Author/SK)

A survey of 173 medical residency and fellowship graduates found women expecting spouses to contribute half the family income; men anticipated sole responsibility. Married women with children planned on working fewer hours than others. It is concluded that family structure may be important in income and working hours patterns. (Author/MSE)

Correlates an ethnic group's preparedness to adapt in a foreign country with its success in establishing and maintaining a cultural enclave. Examines the effect of socioeconomic adaptation on the daily lives of "persistent peoples." Attempts to balance psycho-cultural and social-structural perspectives in the study of "middleman…

Among over 24,000 eighth graders in the National Education Longitudinal Study, the lower academic achievement of students in stepfamilies relative to those in intact 2-parent families was largely explained by differences in parents' economic and cultural resources and involvement in children's school and nonschool activities. Boys and girls fared…

Reports the results of a study concerning college student characteristics and alcohol consumption. In general, family income was positively associated with likelihood of drinking. In the lowest income category, men were more likely to drink than women; in the highest income category, women were more likely to drink than men. (LKS)