In Brief: Jan. 1, 2000

TO TELL THE TRUTH Sociable kids are often good liars. That’s the conclusion of a study in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior that tested youngsters’ ability to hide their true opinion of a grape drink from a questioner. Socially skilled adolescents proved to be better at deception than those with lower social competence. They were better able to control their nonverbal clues, like facial expressions and mannerisms, when untruthful. The study suggests deception may be a component of social adeptness. If so, parents may want to stress to kids the difference between a white lie and a real one.

KILLING THE CAREGIVER Everyone knows that looking after an ill relative can be stressful. Now a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates the burden may actually be deadly for many elderly caregivers. Seniors who say they are strained by the demands of a disabled spouse–that’s half of elderly caregivers–are 63% more likely to die within four years than seniors with no ill spouse. The study is a wake-up call for doctors and families to make sure caregivers get help and respite from their duties.

WORKING-PARENT TRAP What’s good for the economy may not be so good for young children. Full employment for moms and dads has created a severe child-care shortage, a California Child Care Resource & Referral Network study reveals. There are only enough licensed facilities in the state for 1 in 5 children. And the strong economy is luring child-care workers to take more lucrative jobs in other fields. The result: what quality care is available is very expensive–costing 30% of the median family income, for example, to place two children in a center.

–By Alain L. Sanders