A study on the effects of birth order on infants' reactions to novel persons was conducted to test the differing predictions of incongruity theory and social interaction theory. Findings indicated that infants' reactions to novel persons are determined by infants' social interaction within the family during the first year rather than by the number…

Discusses the importance of population control in the modern world and the reasons for and effects of overpopulation. (BD)

The purpose of this study was to determine the significance of possible relationships between birth order and polydrug use patterns of heroin addicts prior to undergoing treatment. Overrepresentation of "only child" heroin addicts was evident among the population studied. (Author)

American technical and economic preeminence are reported to be at risk from students' diminished intellectual ability, demonstrated until recently by declining precollege test scores. But aptitude gains are also reported. Average intelligence quotient rose substantially for persons born between 1900 and 1967, although IQ declined for those born in…

Smaller families in general (including the one-child option) are becoming more popular. This ERIC Digest focuses on changing trends in family size, reasons for choosing to have only one child, differences between only children and those with siblings, and the advantages of being an only child. Changing family patterns, economic concerns, and new…

This report presents estimates of the population for 1980 to 1986 for Puerto Rico, the American Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Census counts for 1980 are also shown for each of the areas. Except for Puerto Rico, all of the areas are growing at a rate well above that of the United States (6.4 percent). Of…

This paper describes and analyzes population trends in countries in the Caribbean which were British colonies before the move to independence. It begins by examining past trends in each of the major components of population change, mortality, fertility, and international migration. Following this is a summary of the assumptions that have been used…

Birth order studies directly related to vocational interest were reviewed to discern support for certain theoretical susumptions: firstborns are more directing, controlling, and organizing than later borns and later borns are more sociable, empathic, and sympathetic than firstborns. The research was inconsistent, contradictory, and speculative.…

Partial support is found for the relationship between family size preferences and size of family of orientation. However, it is suggested that this relationship holds most strongly under conditions of little intergenerational change in lifestyle, a limitation not noted in earlier work. (Author)

Argues for the supply of food, fertilizers, technical assistance, and other aids to impoverishered countries. Presents data birth and food rates for areas of the world. (CP)

Study supported in part by U.S. Office of Education Project C-998, Contract 3-20-001, NDEA Title 7.

This government publication presents statistics and discussion on teenage marriages, divorces, parenthood, and mortality. In sheer numbers teenagers account for a large share of the marriages and births, especially illegitimate births. In 1969, about one-third of all brides and 14 percent of grooms were teenagers; in 1968 17 percent of all births…

This is a review of literature (with abstracts) dealing with adolescent pregnancies. Most of the programs developed to meet the needs of the pregnant adolescent are relatively new. Therefore, the literature which has been published on adolescent pregnancy is heavily weighted with articles which demonstrate the size and kind of problem, not with…

Historically, adherents of Mormonism have had higher than average rates of childbearing. Data cited in this study support the hypothesis that there is something about Mormonism which influences childbearing, and this effect cannot be accounted for by social and economic characteristics. (Author)