UT News

Black Families Are Combating the Effects of Discrimination on Their Children Through Talks

Conversations between parents and children have been shown to improve outcomes for the children.

A Black man, left sits beside a Black boy on a front porch as the two talk

UT News

Older Adults Are Happier When Space Matches Personality

People who have a match between personality and living space report better well-being.

Artist image of a living room with lasers and static superimposed over the top

UT News

Evidence Against Physically Punishing Kids Is Clear, Researchers Say

Physical punishment is ineffective and predicts increases in behavior problems.

A tunnel looking out into a forested area. Two figures, one adult, one child, are silhouetted and holding hands

UT News

Blaming the Pandemic for Stress Leaves Couples Happier

Blaming outside stressors, rather than each other, for problems in the relationship leaves couples more satisfied.

Artist illustration shows a couple with arms around each other surrounded by a picket fence

Podcast

The Case Against Spanking

Liz Gershoff thinks that as a society, we should get away from the idea that violence is integral to teaching children.

Portrait of a woman with glasses

UT News

Twin Study Shows Why Physical Punishment Leads to Child Behavior Problems

Harsh parenting practices, not genetics, are linked to higher levels of behavior problems in children, according to a new study.

Photo of a shadow of an adult holding the hand of a child

Research

Elders Who Live Alone See Benefits in Interacting with Others

Older adults living alone during the pandemic saw distinct benefit from in-person visits when compared to electronic communications.

Illustration of an older man sitting in front of a laptop computer at a dining room table

Announcements

Faculty Members Named to Professorships and Endowed Chairs

Several College of Natural Sciences faculty members have been newly appointed to special professorships and endowed chairs at The University of Texas at Austin.

Seal of the University of Texas at Austin with a burnt orange filter on the image

Accolades

Elizabeth Gershoff Named Director of Population Research Center

Elizabeth Gershoff of UT Austin is the director of the Population Research Center at the university ranked #1 for sociology of populations.

Portrait of a woman with glasses

Features

7 Ideas from the School of Human Ecology for Responding to COVID-19

Stephen Russell talks about how we can use the pandemic to reach greater human connection.

A person walks across the Gearing Hall courtyard alone near the UT Tower