East Side, West Side: Growing up in Manhattan

Abstract

A 10-year follow-up study of parents and children in an area of Manhattan has identified factors that predict childhood behavior. The Family Research Project gathered extensive information on more than 2000 children and their parents from a cross-section of racial and economic groups and with the help of computors 18 comprehensive dimensions of child behavior were drawn up. The behavioral dimensions were subjected to a hierarchical cluster analysis and researchers were able to place children according to their behavior in identifiable groups. A 2nd major part of the study consisted of identifying the factors that contribute to the behaviors of the children. 1 of the main findings of the study was that having a large number of children in the household was related to reduced competition and impairment of the childrens school functioning. It is noted that birth control has cut down on family size but it is recommended that the razing of neighborhoods should be minimized since it is the most economically disadvantaged who are dispossessed.