The British Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) is considering the inclusion of a question on race and ethnic origin in the 1981 census of Great Britain. This paper addresses the importance of obtaining statistical data on minority groups and examines some of the arguments and problems likely to be raised over the issue of including…

Responds to an article by Strubell, "Language, Democracy, and Devolution in Catalonia," arguing that the nationalism that already exists is viewed as the norm and suggesting that the Catalan nationalism and its attempts at affirmative action are menacing. The paper worries that demographic realities might push Catalan nationalism into…

Discusses how the federal government collects and publishes ethnic and racial data and the problems and potential consequences inherent in revising ethnic and racial categories for census taking purposes. Problems stemming from racial self-identification and minority leadership backlash are explored, as well as the implications for American group…

Argues that, since at least 1969, the Census Bureau, under pressure from political special interest groups, has misrepresented the "racial" character of the U.S. population and has misplaced 6 to 8 million persons of Native American ancestry into a scientifically useless "Hispanic/Spanish" category. Contains approximately 45…

Suggests that recent social changes and trends make it imperative to include demographics of all kinds in research on child development. Proposes guidelines to help child development researchers procure demographic information from their study population. Provides specific questions that may help researchers devise demographic indicators, and…

Discussion of job satisfaction among ethnic minority librarians emphasizes the importance of four areas: planning, recruitment, hiring, and staff acceptance and retention. Factors of job satisfaction are described; ethnicity and ethnic minority demographics are discussed; and literature that addresses librarian satisfaction is reviewed, including…

Comments on the ideas presented by Entwisle and Astone in this issue. Suggests that to produce sound measurements of children's socioeconomic background requires a substantial investment in coding, data collection, and management. Nevertheless, a standard set of racial-ethnic and socioeconomic variables, no matter how well measured, cannot serve…

Discusses a study on bilingualism and factors of ethnic identity in Saare/Tsaragi, a border area in Nigeria where two languages are used regularly. Interviews elicited information on language ability and use, language attitudes, and interethnic relations. Results indicate similar patterns between groups of bilingual ability and attitudes but…

Changes in the composition of the group moving through the educational system will change the system faster than anything else, and it is noted that drastic population shifts are on the horizon. Half of the 50 states now have school populations that are 25% nonwhite, and by the year 2000, one in three in the United States will be a minority. The…

An historical review of the immigration and resettlement patterns, and a demographic profile of Japanese Americans reveals a myth of the "successful minority." Since the founding of the Japanese American Citizens League in 1928, Japanese Americans have defeated alien land laws, discriminatory immigration quotas, anti-miscengenation laws,…

Multicultural education can be defined as an educational process that promotes an understanding and appreciation of the cultural diversity within a pluralistic society. By the year 2000, the number of minorities in the United States will increase dramatically. To respond appropriately and effectively to these emerging demographics, educational…