Stanford Center for the Study of Families, Children, and Youth

The Stanford Center for the Study of Families, Children, and Youth was established in 1974 with support from Father Flanagan's Boys' Town. The Center, known then as the Boys' Town Center for the Study of Youth Development at Stanford, sponsored interdisciplinary research on the effects of deprivation and neglect on the life chances of children. After the contract with Boys' Town was dissolved in 1986, the Center changed its name to the Stanford Center for the Study of Families, Children, and Youth and broadened its focus from children aged 7 to 19 to encompass families and childhood concerns.

Biography / Administrative History

The Stanford Center for the Study of Families, Children and Youth was established in 1974 with support from Father Flanagan's Boys' Town. The Center, known then as the Boys' Town Center for the Study of Youth Development at Stanford, sponsored interdisciplinary research on the effects of deprivation and neglect on the life chances of children. Professor Robert Sears was appointed interim Director during the organization of the Center, with Professor Al Hastorf appointed its first Director. Subsequent directors included Merrill Carlsmith, Michael Wald, and Sanford Dornbusch.

After the contract with Boys' Town was dissolved in 1986, the Center changed its name to the Stanford Center for the Study of Families, Children and Youth and broadened its focus from children aged 7 to 19 to encompass families and childhood concerns. Topics researched by its members have included the impact of daycare on a child's social development, effects of divorce and custody arrangements, how family variables affect school performance, minorities in the schools, and homelessness. Due to funding difficulties, the Center was dissolved in June 1994.