Dr. Fomby will be joining us today to discuss a recently completed study she authored titled "Race/Ethnic Differences in Effects of Family Instability on Adolescents' Risk Behavior".
According to a University of Clorado Denver press release, Paula Fomby says, "We were interested in what distinguished white teenagers from black teenagers, and entertained various explanations offered by other research and theories. Our study reveals two findings. One, the sheer number of adults that are around to give teenagers or their parents support varies by ethnic or racial group. Additionally, adjustment to economic hardship trumps the growing pains introduced by other family changes such as divorce or remarriage."
The researchers followed the lives of approximately 8,000 American teenagers from their adolescence in the mid-90s to young adulthood (over the course of seven years). The teenagers answered questions about their school activities, illegal behaviour, and romantic lives. Their parents provided information about their own relationship histories." Read More!
What can the Black community learn from this study ? Can lessons be learn to assist youth who are having problems and acting out?
Paula Fomby is an Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department at University of Colorado Denver. Her specialty areas include "Family, immigrants and immigration, poverty, public policy, data analysis".
