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Looks at the part that mobile phones play in young people’s lives. Emphasises that mobile phones are not just landline substitutes but are personal extensions, identity statements and fashion statements; paradoxically, the control they give to their owners to communicate when and where they choose makes mobile phones an instrument for privacy as well as independence. Describes a UK‐based research project, part of the Nestle Social Research Programme, on how mobile phones are used and whether there are age and sex differences. Concludes that mobile phones are indeed thought essential by young people, with texting prominent in their social interactions with both peers and parents; males tended to use mobile talk more than females, who used landlines more, and landlines tended to be used for “difficult” conversations; older people tended to use computer‐based email more than younger people, who appreciate the immediacy and other benefits of the mobile phone.

Outlines Indian law relating to advertising to children, and stresses that the legislation has far to go in order to meet European and American standards. Explains the provisions of the Cable Act on books and magazines, focusing next on the controversial children’s TV programme series “Shaktiman”, which has caused child fatalities. Moves on the lack of guidelines over acceptable advertising or the use of child models in advertisements; there are however specific laws and a procedure for complaints to the Advertising Standards Council, and control of the Internet is strict, while the Board of Film Certification awards viewing ratings. Concludes that the laws relating to advertising to children, while better than they were, are not comprehensive and are often flouted; there is no restriction on advertising to schools, although there are guidelines on the sale of cigarettes and alcohol, and the government’s emphasis on breastfeeding has led it to prohibit the promotion of commercial alternative baby foods.

American Sociological Review, October 1983 issue carries two relevant articles. In the first Shelley Coverman writes about “Gender, Domestic Labor Time, and Wage Inequality”. This study examined connections between family and employment activities by testing the often noted proposition that women's domestic activities affect their labour force achievements. The results supported the hypothesis that the time currently married women and men spend in housework and child care exerts a negative influence on their wages. These findings imply that there are important linkages between the familial and economic spheres, whereby sexual inequality in the familial division of labour helps perpetuate sexual inequality in the labour market.

A year or so ago I discovered Writer's Choice: a Library of Rediscoveries, by Bill and Linda Katz which is, in fact, a book of recovery. As a librarian, I am acquainted with the Katzes' well‐known reference tools. As an author, I felt immediate solidarity with their bookman's idea of bringing back literary works that had somehow disappeared before due notice had been taken—a whole world of neglected books into which my own overlooked novel would have fitted nicely, if anyone had known of it to nominate mention.

Organisational change, for some employees, can pose threat, for others challenge. It has been found that, given the same organisational stressors, certain individuals fall victim to stress and ill‐health, whereas others remain healthy. In order to seek a clearer understanding of this phenomenon, the personality/stress/health relationship is explored with reference to individual differences in Type A behaviour, locus of control, hardiness, extraversion, neuroticism, and tension discharge rate. It is suggested that organisational change management should be within the framework of communication, control and counselling. Future research should pursue a multidimensional, interactive course to gain a greater insight into this highly complex relationship.

We can think of those with a cynical turn of mind who might consider not a little of the present output of the parliamentary machine as “harem scarem” law, but the indecent haste, the freak urgency of some politically inspired laws apart, it is only too obvious that law is being made under rush conditions, and the reasons are not far to seek. A hectic, over‐active party executive, feverishly pushing ahead with its policies produces impossible working conditions for the parliamentary draftsmen. Law, whether it is statute or regulation, has never been more complex than it is today; time allowed for parliamentary debate is completely inadequate; too many and varied interests have to be taken into account, to say nothing of the vast range of delegated legislation. The urgency of some legislation is doubtful; it is difficult to see the need for all the hurry; a little more time in proper debate would prevent some of the loopholes which subsequently appear and render the law more comprehensible; incomprehensibility and justice are rarely compatible. As Diplock L J., said in the Court of Appeal in Rex. v. Industrial Injuries Commissioner ex parte Cable (1968) 1 A.E.R., 9, a few months ago—“Judges have been at their wits' end to know what some of the provisions mean. It would be a good thing if time could be found to remedy the blemishes.”

Expands on research which has demonstrated that employment has positive or neutral effects on women’s health. This pilot study examines whether these positive effects could also be found in employed mothers by comparing working mothers with non‐working mothers on measures of mental health, self‐esteem, and mother role satisfaction. Also this study assesses the stress experienced by these mothers and examines the coping strategies used by them. Of the 200 questionnaires distributed, 101 were returned giving a 50.5 per cent return rate of which 78 per cent were working mothers and 22 per cent non‐working mothers. The working mothers had better mental health and reported less depression than the non‐working mothers. The most frequently reported source of stress for working mothers was not having enough time to do everything, whereas for non‐working mothers lack of social life was a major stressor. The findings of this study support the expansion hypothesis, which emphasizes the benefits rather than the costs of multiple role involvement.