PRIMARILY AN OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON CHILD-REARING AND FAMILY LIFE PATTERNS, THIS BOOK FOCUSES ON THE LIFE OF THE VERY POOR AND COMPARES THEIR LIFE PATTERNS AND PRACTICES WITH THOSE OF MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES. THE TWO SETS OF PATTERNS ARE ANALYZED UNDER FIVE HEADINGS--MENTAL HEALTH, EDUCATION, "MORAL" CHARACTER, SOCIAL ACCEPTABILITY, AND FAMILY STABILITY. IMPLICATIONS FOR TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR THE VERY POOR AND FOR SOME BASIC AND ACTION RESEARCH FOLLOW THIS DISCUSSION. ONE OF THE BOOK'S MAJOR CONCLUSIONS IS THAT RESEARCH ON THE VERY POOR IS FRAGMENTARY AND THAT RESEARCHERS OFTEN NEGLECT INDIVIDUAL VARIABILITIES WITHIN GROUP TENDENCIES. THEN, BECAUSE MIDDLE-CLASS NORMS ARE APPLIED TO THE POOR, THESE PERSONS APPEAR TO BE PARTICULARLY MALADJUSTED, WHEN IN FACT MIDDLE CLASS PATTERNS OF ADJUSTMENT MAY BE UNSUITABLE FOR LIFE IN POVERTY CONDITIONS. IT IS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT ALTHOUGH LOWER-CLASS FAMILIES ARE LESS STABLE THAN MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES, THEY STILL IN FACT ARE STABLE. INTERVENTION STRATEGIES WHICH ARE RECOMMENDED INCLUDE PLANS FOR EXPANDED SERVICES IN THE SLUM SCHOOL, ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS, SPECIAL SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE FAMILY, AND ADEQUATE INCOME SUPPORT. AVAILABLE FROM SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, U.S. GOVT. PRINT. OFF., WASHINGTON, D.C., 20402, PRICE $0.45. (LB)