Sociologists have long used educational expectations to understand the complex mental processes underlying individuals' educational decision making. Yet, little research evaluates how students actually formulate their educational expectations. Status attainment theory asserts that students adopt their educational expectations early based on family…

Existing research rarely examines the social consequences of poor childhood health from a longitudinal perspective. Using data from the British National Child Development Study, I follow a cohort from before birth through middle age to examine whether children's health limitations before and during the educational process predict occupational…

Age at first birth is strongly and negatively associated with educational achievement. In addition, there is no evidence that early childbearers catch up with their childless age peers. However, whites seem to incur a greater educational decrement than blacks. (Author/GC)