Used an empowerment perspective to consider the degree to which intrapersonal and interpersonal power dynamics in heterosexual relations have an impact on condom use among high risk youth. Results from 333 African American and European American urban youth show the model to be most useful in predicting condom use among female participants. (SLD)

Oberle's (1974) research examined the role model preferences of black and white youth and found that young blacks had different role models from white students; however, he did not examine whether place of residence was related to role model preference. This study extends Oberle's research by analyzing the relationship between place of residence…

Females had significantly higher attitude and competency scores on the Abbreviated Career Maturity Inventory, completed by 114 female and 187 male African-American high school students. Educational plans were consistent with occupational expectations; 90% females and 74% males preferred careers requiring degrees, and 89% females and 86% males…

Examined the contexts related to antisocial fighting behaviors among urban, African American high school students. Data on students' social contexts (family, neighborhood, peers, and school) and fighting behaviors indicated a relationship between negative peer influence and antisocial fighting behaviors. The combination of all four negative…

Responds to feminist groups' assertions that the educational system shortchanges females, suggesting that these assertions have detracted attention from the real problem of low academic achievement among African-American males and boys in general. Research on adolescent self-esteem and sex differences in mathematics achievement is reviewed. (SLD)

If a program is to succeed, sufficient attention must be devoted to the personality characteristics, attitudes and interests of the persons for whom the program is being planned. The data from a study of the personality characteristics of 446 poor, black adolescents enrolled in a summer poverty work program were used to demonstrate how the…

The relationship between career maturity and self-concepts of 252 sixth-grade black males was investigated. Results indicated relatively weak-positive relationships between career maturity and self-concepts. Significant career maturity differences were found. However, self-concepts of the three groups were not statistically significantly…

Examined the relation of school strain to self-worth and three indicators of school functioning--scholastic competence, intrinsic motivation, and grade point average--among 102 students in an academic intervention program. Results showed a consistent relation of peer strain to self-worth, with strain increasing during the year. (RJM)

Explores the causal nature of the association between grade repetition and later adolescent problem behaviors for 197 retained and 204 promoted African-American sixth and seventh graders in two urban middle schools. Regression analyses imply that retention reduced rebellious behavior in school and increased attachment to school. (SLD)

This ethnographic study of 50 male African-American gang members constructs a portrait of the culture in which these young men lived and points out factors that helped 11 of them begin to escape gang life, in contrast to the other 39 who lacked these supporting factors of families, teachers, and peers. (SLD)

Assesses the self-concept and school attitudes of a sample of Black ninth graders at two urban schools. Reports that, while the percentage of Black youth with low self-concept may be lower now than in previous years, there are still many who lack a positive self-image. (KH)

This document critically reviews the empirical evidence and theories that have emerged to document and explain ethnic, racial, and class differences in the rate of adolescent involvement in interpersonal violence. In the first section, recent data are presented on the incidence of violence among adolescents in the United States as documented in…

Analyzes the responses of 1,344 African-American and 580 white female adolescents, and 852 African-American and 520 white male adolescents to questions regarding their perceived ideal ages for marriage and first birth. Findings reveal differences between white and African-American adolescents' responses. Comparisons suggest that the adolescents'…

Project EXCEL, developed from a 2-year pilot study, provided college enrichment in reading, writing, and foreign languages for rising sophomores and sophomores in two inner-city high schools. One school had a predominantly black student body; the other had a student body that was 40% black. This study focused on the sources of equality and…

Interviewed 38 inner-city Black and Latino adolescents in a precollege tutorial program. Findings show students' difficulties in leaving their old peer groups and embracing the idea that they could achieve in school. Addresses implications of the findings for policy, assets, and problems. (SLD)