Mitigating the Combined Distributional Consequences of the Georgia Lottery for Education and the HOPE Scholarship*

Objective. Research demonstrates that nonwhite, lower‐income households bear the Georgia Lottery's tax burden, yet receive fewer benefits. However, local disparities in grading standards may mitigate the observed income redistribution. Our objective is to determine whether certain localities obtain more HOPE scholarships than expected, mitigating the observed redistribution. Method. We use fixed‐effects regression and a sample of Georgia's counties (1996–2002). Results. Our results indicate that some localities obtain more HOPE scholarships than expected, mitigating the observed redistribution. Conclusions. We conclude the income‐redistribution research result does not reveal a complete picture because it overlooks the HOPE scholarship's extraordinary allocation mechanism.     

Self‐Perceived Gender Typicality and the Peer Context During Adolescence

This research examined adolescents' gender identity in relation to the peer context and their self‐concept. Participants were 229 adolescents who completed questionnaire measures of self‐concept and multidimensional gender identity. Regression analysis indicated peer acceptance partially mediated the relation between self‐perceived gender typicality and self‐worth. Cluster analysis revealed four groups of adolescents with differing profiles of self‐perceived gender typicality, felt peer pressure for gender conformity, and peer acceptance. Findings highlight the inherently social and contextual nature of gender identity. Also, the pathologizing of gender‐nonconforming youth is discussed.     

Parenthood and Marital Satisfaction: A Meta‐Analytic Review

This meta‐analysis finds that parents report lower marital satisfaction compared with nonparents (d=?.19, r=?.10). There is also a significant negative correlation between marital satisfaction and number of children (d=?.13, r=?.06). The difference in marital satisfaction is most pronounced among mothers of infants (38% of mothers of infants have high marital satisfaction, compared with 62% of childless women). For men, the effect remains similar across ages of children. The effect of parenthood on marital satisfaction is more negative among high socioeconomic groups, younger birth cohorts, and in more recent years. The data suggest that marital satisfaction decreases after the birth of a child due to role conflicts and restriction of freedom.     

Constructing a Life That Works: Part 2, An Approach to Practice

The 1st article (C. Campbell & M. Ungar, 2004) of this 2‐part exploration of postmodern approaches to family therapy and narrative approaches to career counseling explored the differences between traditional trait and factor counseling models and postmodern approaches using life narratives and social constructionism. In this 2nd article, the authors discuss 7 aspects of their practice as postmodern career counselors that ask clients to (a) know what you want, (b) know what you have, (c) know what you hear, (d) know what constrains you, (e) map your preferred story, (f) grow into your story, and (g) grow out of your story. Several case studies demonstrate the applicability of these theories to practice.     

Parental views of surveillance for early speech and language difficulties

Objective : To investigate parents' experiences of surveillance for early talking difficulties. Design : Qualitative study nested within a randomised controlled trial. Setting : Interviews with the parents of 20 children identified as having early difficulties. Results : Most parents were in favour of surveillance of children's language. Parents do not totally welcome surveillance, however, as it also potentially medicalises their children's early lives. The study also revealed that many of the parents felt stigmatised by their children's difficulties. Conclusions : Listening to parents' accounts can increase professionals' understanding of their responses to monitoring of their child's development and referral to specialist services.     

As Good as it Gets? A Life Course Perspective on Marital Quality

Marital relationships, like individuals, follow a developmental trajectory over time with ups and downs and gains and losses. We work from a life course perspective and use growth curve analysis to look at trajectories of change in marital quality over time. Although the tendency is for marital quality to decline over time, some groups begin with much higher levels of marital quality than others. Moreover, a number of life course and contextual factors can accelerate or slow this path of change. Our findings point to the importance of considering the multi-dimensionality of time (e.g., age, marital duration, the passage of years) as well as family transitions (e.g., having children, emptying or refilling the nest) in creating the meanings and experiences of marriage over time.