Surveyed adolescent and young adult children of dual-career families on satisfaction with the lifestyle and perceptions of family strength. The children viewed the lifestyle positively and scored their families respectively high in family strength, especially the categories of concern and supportiveness. Nonetheless, problem areas such as time…

Interviewed 55 divorcing couples regarding factors they considered in reaching child custody decisions. Mothers and fathers agreed on relative importance of criteria, but differed on extent to which criteria favored one parent. Parents perceived themselves as more suited for custody than they were perceived by their spouses. (NRB)

Studied recent changes in the organization of men's lives using census (1960,1970) and Current Population Survey (1980) data. Found considerable changes, with men spending less time in families with children and more time outside of marriage. Changes were pervasive across educational levels, racial categories, and geographic areas. (NRB)

Reviews empirical research dealing with father-infant interactions in the intact family. Results indicate fathers provide an extra source of stimulation as well as unique experiences for their infants. More similarities than differences exist in father-infant interactions as compared to mother-infant interactions; however, fathers exhibit more…

Fathers' willingness to assume infant care responsibilities was related to their sex-role concepts and the amount of time fathers were available. Fathers who felt fathers should serve a greater number of functions with their children were more likely to have been present at the infant's birth. (Author)

Reviews research literature on the mother-daughter relationship as a transmission structure for sexual socialization. While the literature indicates generally low levels of direct communication about sex between mothers and daughters, the influence of the mother on the daughter's sexual and contraceptive behavior is also indicated. (Author)

Studies whether parental monitoring differs across two-parent biological families, stepmother families, and stepfather families. Two-parent biological families were hypothesized to have higher levels of monitoring than stepparent families. Controlling for demographic differences, two-parent biological families showed higher levels of monitoring…

Tested model of family structure and process using 133 children where both divorced parents remained in children's lives about 3 years after separation. Found role diffusion, lack of coparental alliance, parental boundary problems, parent-child rejection associated with reduced social competence and behavioral difficulties (especially in boys and…

Whether joint custody should be mandated by state law as the norm for divorcing couples is hotly debated between fathers' and mothers' rights groups and among mental health and legal professionals. This debate is traced, and the public policy implications of recent joint custody research are discussed. Policies for strengthening coparenting after…

Examined the process of exit from farm businesses of a group of older farmers (N=315) and determined the relationship between goals of family succession and behaviors in the exit phase. Found a sequence of exit from work, management, and ownership with farmers who valued continuity being most likely to involve sons in management of the operation.…

Describes investigation examining model of sibling relationship's mediation between quality of youths' best friendships and several individual and family variables via self-report and observational assessments. Results demonstrate that youths' temperaments and quality of relationships with parents both predicted best friendship quality indirectly…

Describes investigation examining whether aspects of father-adolescent relationship accounted for adjustment differences between adolescents from two-parent families and divorced families. Suggests late adolescents in divorced families were more depressed than those in married families but did not differ in self-esteem. Other differences are…

Describes investigation examining adolescents' perceptions of overall family system characteristics, parental behaviors, and demographic factors in relation to adolescent family life satisfaction. Results indicate family bonding, family flexibility, parental support, and adolescent age are positively related to adolescent family life satisfaction,…

Describes investigation examining relationship between adolescents' susceptibility to antisocial peer pressure and parenting style and frequency of behavior monitoring. Suggests adolescents most susceptible to antisocial peer pressure perceived infrequent monitoring by fathers, inappropriate discipline practice by fathers, and had mothers who…

Thirty adult daughters were asked for their memories and wishes regarding mother-daughter sexuality education. Memories were primarily of negative, nonverbal messages, and limited discussion focused on warnings and rules. The women wished for openness and discussion of feelings and choices. Most exonerated their mothers for inadequacies and hoped…