The data from this study shows that fathers spend little time vocalizing to their infants and that the number of interactions varies by time of day, age and sex of infant and the kind of activity occurring during the interaction. (Author/WY)

While research on humor in children has increased in the past 20 years, there is less information on adult humor. The Humor Assessment Instrument (HUMA) was developed as part of an ongoing humor intervention project. HUMA was used to interview 398 adults on their perception of humor in the media, humor among acquaintances, humor in parents, most…

Letters from 249 children, 7 to 17 years of age, on "Why my Mom is the greatest" were analyzed for age and sex differences in the maternal behaviors selected for positive evaluation. (Author/MP)

At the preschool level, this study found that variables of sex and socioeconomic status become predictors of perceptions of authority figures, but these effects lessen as the children become older. Older children become more threatened by those outside the home and are more protective in their perception of those in the home. (Author/NH)

This study analyzes adults authoritarian responses to vignettes of differing behaviors of preschool children. Single persons saw themselves as more authoritarian and were less child-oriented than parents. Males were less authoritative in a one-to-one relationship. (KMF)

This study examined gender and race differences in children's interactions with infants. Subjects were 53 black and white children between 8 and 10 years of age. An experimenter of the same race as the children presented them with a 6-week to 12-month-old infant of the same race. Children were photographed with the infant; while playing the role…

In this investigation of the effects of maternal employment on adolescents, 88 male and 128 female adolescents from grades 7 through 12 completed the Children's Report of Parental Behavior Inventory and the Inventory of Psychosocial Development. Several questions were addressed: (1) Does maternal employment status influence adolescents'…

Surveyed 45 dual-career couples to identify conflicts and solutions of professinals pursuing academic careers and bearing family responsibilities. Compared males and females, couples with children and those without, couples under 40 years of age and older couples, and this sample with one from business and industry. (Author/JAC)

This study investigated parental socialization of adolescent political reasoning from a Vygotskian cognitive socialization perspective. Discussions between mothers and their adolescent sons or daughters were examined using a transactive dialogue system and were related to the adolescent's age and gender and to family parenting style. As predicted,…

Previous research has shown that parents of children who commit suicide receive reduced emotional support from their community. More research in the area of attitudes toward child suicide may aid professionals in helping grieving friends and families and help pinpoint areas where more education may be needed. This study examined the differences…

Investigated 60 parents' perceptions of influence of their eldest child's (aged 4, 7, or 10 years) development and the extent to which these perceptions varied as a function of five factors. Cognitive and social development were significant variables for beliefs about influence. (RJC)

Traditional ideals discourage Japanese women from working outside the home. This study was conducted to explore generational differences in Japanese attitudes toward women's employment and to interpret those differences in terms of social change. Questionnaires were distributed to approximately 900 Japanese men and women. Subjects were classified…

Assessed parent education needs of secondary students (N=265) as a basis for the development of parent education programs. Data were collected by administering the Parent Information Inventory. Students expressed strongest needs in planning and decision making, parenting and adolescent social development. Significant sex and age differences were…

Examines changes in level and types of support that children receive from parents, from young through middle age, using data from National Survey of Families and Households. Finds that, in general, there is no change or only a slight increase in support when children are in their twenties. Decline in all forms of support occurs after age 30. (KS)

This study explored children's perceptions of good parenting. An open-ended question "What makes a good parent?" was asked of children aged 8 to 9 years, 14 to 15 years, and 17 to 18 years of age to investigate developmental processes. Adolescents' perceptions were compared to parents' perceptions using the same measure among 14- to…