RELATIVE WELL-BEING AMONG CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY:

While recent decades have witnessed sharply divergent trajectories in the well-being of children and the elderly, little research explores the social-structural forces behind these trends. This study examines several key elements of Preston's theory relating relative age group size to the well-being of children and the elderly. First considered is the degree to which membership in a relatively large age group enhances well-being; second, the role of family structure in promoting well-being: third, differences between these processes for children and the elderly. An analysis of three indicators of group well-being—poverty, mortality, and suicide rates—for U.S. states provides mixed support for Preston's theory. Among the elderly, group size is inversely related to suicide and mortality, but unrelated to poverty. Contrary to Preston's view, larger group size diminishes the well-being of children. However. consistent with Preston's theory, family structure is substantially more important for the well-being of children than for the elderly.     

Unemployment and the homicide rate: A paradox resolved?

The heretofore perplexing relationship between the unemployment and homicide rates is reevaluated through a dynamic, macro social indicator model of the postwar United States. Whereas prior research has failed to demonstrate consistently an empirical connection between economic conditions and crime rates, it is shown here that when attention is given to both the level of unemployment and recent changes in unemployment, the relationship between the unemployment rate and the homicide rate becomes more intelligible. The level of unemployment is negatively related to the homicide rate while annual changes in unemployment are positively related to the homicide rate. These paradoxical effects of unemployment remain even after controlling for other theoretically-relevant variables. Interpretation of the results revolves around the dichotomy of motivation and opportunity as components of human behavior.     

中国古代文论中意象批评法形成的思维路径

意象批评的一个重要特征就是在语用环境中,批评话语所传达的意义不是话语中使用的词汇本身的意义,而是这些词语组成的“意象”所蕴涵的内在意蕴。意象批评法按照如下思维路径逐步得到确立:首先是由玄言思辩所促动的“言意之辨”与“象”的提出,然后是由于佛学浸淫而在文学思维中形成的“物—心志—物象”主体融入模式,最后是“取境”思维导致的语用学意义上的“意象”运用。     

汉学人类学视域下的民众日常生活史研究——芝加哥大学教授雅各布·伊弗斯专访

汉学（Sinology）自展开在中国地区的实地调研后,几十年来,西方汉学家一直不断尝试将人类学理论应用于汉人社区研究。在本篇访谈中,芝加哥大学东亚语言与文明系的雅各布·伊弗斯（Jacob Eyferth）教授以自己的学术经历为线索,讨论了汉学、人类学、历史学、区域研究（Area Study）、科技与社会研究等几大相关领域之间的关系,并以他对四川省的夹江造纸及关中地区织布的研究为具体个案,从汉学人类学的角度对中国传统社会中的技术控制、性别分工、家庭组织等核心问题提出了自己的见解。     

论素质教育实施的基础

我国实施素质教育之所以会遇到重重困难，甚至到了难以推进的地步，其主要原因是缺乏实施素质教育的必要基础。现有的课程、教材、教学大纲、教师的备课方法、教学方法、考试方法、教学评估标准和教育立法、政策、规章制度等都是与原来应试教育相适应的。要对适应应试教育的必要基础进行改革，使之完全适应素质教育的需要。只有这样，才能顺利、全面、普遍地推进素质教育教学的开展。