Fifteen monozygotic and 22 dizygotic twin pairs, who were found to be lower in verbal ability than matched singletons at age two years, were compared at age nine years. Although twins still showed lower verbal ability, more variance in verbal ability was accounted for by the mothers' education and birth weight than by being a twin. (SLD)

A study conducted among WIC prenatal participants in Missouri and their newborn infants found that for every dollar spent on WIC, about 83 cents in infants' Medicaid costs was saved within 30 days of birth. Mothers' Medicaid costs were not affected. Additional studies are needed, however, to confirm these results. (GC)

In a second follow-up study of sibling interaction, 24 pairs of same-sex siblings and 24 pairs of mixed-sex siblings were observed in their homes 18 months after the first follow-up and 3 years after the initial observations. The patterning of interaction was similar to that observed earlier. (Author/DR)

Reviews current research on a woman's chances of bearing twins and the genetic relationship, prenatal competition, and personality similarities between twins. In addition, the nature/nurture controversy is discussed in terms of evidence from studies of identical twins reared apart. Future studies are suggested to discover the ways twinning might…

Reviews research on the relationship between women's educational attainment and timing of their entry into parenthood. Presents data from a 15-year follow-up of high school students originally surveyed in 1957-58 (and resurveyed in 1973-74). Concludes that educational attainment has a strong delaying effect on timing parenthood, but that their…

Literacy and education did not lower fertility rates in a 19th-century village, Marlhes, located in southeastern France. Reasons why are discussed. (RM)

Discusses recent Hispanic immigration to the northeast U.S., particularly the New York City area. Presents data on country of origin, family composition and fertility, education levels, occupation, and income status. Examines patterns of structural integration, such as intermarriage and residential segregation. (SA)

Eugenists in Edwardian Great Britain believed that society was in imminent danger because degenerate individuals were outbreeding normal people. Four strategies to prevent the unfit from reproducing--regulation, birth control, sterilization, and segregation--are discussed as well as the political and social climate in which eugenics developed. (IS)

Incidence of self-scratching injuries were examined in 300 newborns divided into subject groups based on birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score, mode of delivery, and the presence or absence of delivery complications. Injuries were attributed to normal neonatal movements; degree of injuries may reflect the maturity and physical activity of the…

Examines the literature regarding the increase in teenage parenthood and its consequences for the teenagers, their education, and society. Concludes that teenage mothers have high rates of welfare dependence, and suggests that moves toward prevention or job training will not succeed until the economic situation of women is improved. (LLL)

Points out that children of teenage parents are at a greater risk physically and are subject to unstable living arrangements and a poorer quality of life. Indicates that society has a responsibility to help prevent pregnancies and mitigate the consequences when preventative measures fail. (JOW)

This paper assesses the influence of welfare payments and other socioeconomic factors on age-specific white and nonwhite illegitimate birth rates. For nonwhite younger women, the regression results suggest that larger welfare payments are associated with higher illegitimate rates. (Author)

This paper examines the history of midwifery in Appalachia. Throughout history, women in labor have been supported by other women. Midwives learned as apprentices, gaining skills and knowledge from older women. Eventually, formalized training for midwives was developed in Europe, but no professional training existed in the United States until…

This study examines whether children born outside of marriage and currently living in single-mother families are more likely to be poor than children in single-mother families who were born to married parents. Using the 1997 National Survey of America's Families, the study finds that among children living with single mothers, those born outside of…

Global Population Profile: 2002 summarizes the most important trends in global population at the dawn of the 21st century. The presentation is organized around four themes: (1) Global Population; (2) Growth, Global Population; (3) Composition, Contraceptive Prevalence in the Developing World; and (4) the AIDS Pandemic in the 21st Century. This…