Anne Poole

Family size and ordinal position: correlates of academic success.

The National Survey of 1960 Graduates, which included every woman and every other man who graduated from British universities in 1960, provided a unique opportunity to further our knowledge of the correlates of academic success measured in terms of the gaining of a university degree. A relatively large family appeared to be no impediment to the educational achievements of middle-class children, but for those with less privileged home circumstances a small family was an essential ingredient for success. First-born children were over-represented among this sample, though only children were not particularly favoured. In general, the likelihood of graduation appeared to decrease with each later position in the birth order.

The relationship of the Moine Schists and Lewisian Gneisses near Mallaigmore, Inverness-shire

Abstract A new map of the Mallaigmore area defines the area of the Lewisian gneiss more accurately than maps hitherto available, and shows the extent of transitional rock types produced by mechanical and metasomatic processes, occurring between the Lewisian and the Moine metasediments. Analyses of rocks from both major divisions show systematic differences in major elements and their ratios, but do not reveal any striking anomalies in minor element distribution. The criteria for recognising the Lewisian and the transitional rocks are given, and a major recumbent fold is postulated to account for the presence of the Lewisian.

Marriage and Family-Building Patterns of University Graduates

In October 1966 every woman and every other man who had graduated from a British university in 1960 was sent a questionnaire requesting information on certain aspects of his or her background university career and studies and employment between first graduation and October 1 1966. Also included were questions on marriage partners and children and some special questions for women. The findings showed that highly educated people are on the whole no exception to the generally observed principle of social and educational endogamy. Those from working class homes however marry overwhelmingly into the middle class. Respondents generally tended to delay marriage and family building while still engaged in full-time study but more graduates are ultimately marrying and at younger ages. Interesting sex differences have also been found and discussed. Educated women are far more likely to delay marriage and childbearing than their male counterparts.