Children of the Land: Adversity and Success in Rural America (The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Series on Mental Health and Development, Studies on Successful Adolescent Development)

Elder Jr., Glen H.; Conger, Rand D.

ISBN 10: 022621253X / ISBN 13: 9780226212531

Published by University of Chicago Press, 2014

About this Item

Seller Inventory # ABLIING23Feb2215580060975

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Children of the Land: Adversity and Success in Rural America (The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Series on Mental Health and Development, Studies on Successful Adolescent Development)
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 022621253X
• ISBN 13: 9780226212531
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

A century ago, most Americans had ties to the land. Now only one in fifty is engaged in farming and little more than a fourth live in rural communities. Though not new, this exodus from the land represents one of the great social movements of our age and is also symptomatic of an unparalleled transformation of our society.

In Children of the Land, the authors ask whether traditional observations about farm families―strong intergenerational ties, productive roles for youth in work and social leadership, dedicated parents and a network of positive engagement in church, school, and community life―apply to three hundred Iowa children who have grown up with some tie to the land. The answer, as this study shows, is a resounding yes. In spite of the hardships they faced during the agricultural crisis of the 1980s, these children, whose lives we follow from the seventh grade to after high school graduation, proved to be remarkably successful, both academically and socially.

A moving testament to the distinctly positive lifestyle of Iowa families with connections to the land, this uplifting book also suggests important routes to success for youths in other high risk settings.

About the Authors

Glen H. Elder Jr. is the Howard W. Odum Distinguished Research Professor of Sociology and research professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.


Rand D. Conger is distinguished professor of psychology, human development, and family studies in the Family Research Group at the University of California, Davis.