Peter J. Kuriloff

The impact of college experience on political and social attitudes

In the last two decades a considerable volume of research has focused on how the college experience affects students. The purpose of the research reported here was to investigate to what extent students (predominantly Caucasian) at a highly selective university on the East coast changed their political and social attitudes during college. In particular, the influences of religious background, gender, membership in a fraternity or sorority, and time in college on attitudes were examined. Results indicated that students as seniors scored higher on measures of liberalism, social conscience, homosexuality tolerance and feminist attitudes and lower on male-dominant attitudes than they did as first year students. Given the lack of previous studies of change in attitudes toward homosexuality in college and the current political debate about issues relating to sexual orientation, an important finding was the substantial increase in tolerance of homosexuality by all subgroups. Results are discussed with respect to the special characteristics and potential influence of Ivy League students.

What really matters in family communication about sexuality? A qualitative analysis of affect and style among African American mothers and adolescent daughters

The family—via communication (or lack thereof)—is a primary avenue for sexuality education. While most research on family sexuality communication has examined the content of parent–child communication (e.g. topics discussed), relatively few studies have assessed the process, the way in which communication occurs. This paper presents an analysis of communication process based on data collected during a qualitative, observational study of family sexuality communication with thirty low‐ and middle‐income African American mothers and their adolescent daughters living in an urban area in the southeastern USA. Two dimensions of communication process emerged: affective and stylistic. Elements of the affective dimension included connection, empathy, comfort, anger, and silence. Elements of the stylistic dimension included interactive versus didactic communication styles, use of a variety of persuasive techniques, body language, and setting. Results suggest that the process of sexuality communication is as, if not more, important than content and that affectively open and stylistically interactive sexuality communication is related to the context of close and connected mother–daughter relationships.

Sexual Socialization Differences by Gender, Greek Membership, Ethnicity, and Religious Background

Socialization theories have included parents and peers as important determinants of the initial sexual standards and sexual behavior of teenagers and young adults. The purpose of the research reported here was to examine how parental and peer sexual socialization influences are related to gender, ethnicity, religious background, and college membership in a fraternity or sorority. A sample that included a majority of Caucasian university students and about 13% Asian and 7% Black students completed questionnaires both as entering first-year students and as seniors. Results indicated that compared to women, men continue to experience a more permissive sexual socialization from both parents and peers. Greek membership was associated with a more permissive socialization from peers but not parents. Asian students reported a more restrictive socialization than Blacks or Caucasians. Findings are discussed with respect to concerns of social scientists regarding the influence of fraternities and differential gender socialization.

Law, educational reform, and the school psychologist

Abstract The law has become a major vehicle for those seeking to reform education. The two areas of reform which most affect school psychologists are the extension of the right to a public education to previously discriminated against and excluded groups, and the extension of the protection of the Bill of Rights to all school children. The potential impact of these areas on the role of the school psychologist is suggested by preliminary findings on one such reform, the right of retarded children to an appropriate education and the guarantee of that right through the provision of procedural due process. Any response to the reform by school psychologists will involve risks and opportunities which must be carefully weighed if a wise choice is to be made from the point of view of both children and the profession.

The distributive and educational consequences of chapter 2 block grants in Pennsylvania

Abstract The distributive and educational impact of Chapter 2 in Pennsylvania was studied using a combination of correlational and case study methodologies. Statistical results indicate that district enrollment minority enrollment wealth and poverty level were not associated with changes in funding levels resulting from the new law However districts that spent less of their taxable resources on education and had less judged capacity appear to have done better than districts with more capacity and higher tax effort Nevertheless case studies over two years show that Chapter 2 has reduced paperwork enhanced local control and promoted educational innvation in the vast majory of districts. Implication of these findings for federal and state policy are discussed.

Miles to go: The continuing quest for gender equity in the classroom

While some believe there is little need to be concerned about girls in education, they continue to face such ongoing stereotyping, biases, and harassment that follow them into their careers. Shannon Andrus, Charlotte Jacobs, and Peter Kuriloff explore the current state of girls’ education and discuss importance of an intersectional lens that takes into account other identities, such as race, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. Using data from a large-scale qualitative study of girls and teachers, the authors recommend ways to address and overcome these obstacles, including the use of active gender consciousness in the classroom.