Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.trends From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: trends Wed, Apr 22 1992 Date: Wed, 22 Apr 92 05:41:50 EDT Message-ID: 04-22 0000 DECISIONLINE: Trends & Marketing USA TODAY Update April 22, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network MATERNITY POLICY `NON-EXISTENT': A good corporate maternity policy is rare, even though most households are two-worker or single parent, says a survey of moms working outside the home. Nearly 40% say the policy is "miserly" or "non-existent," 45% say it's "adequate" and 16% "generous." The survey was by Wellesley College Center for Research on Women and Working Mother magazine. SOME DON'T GET MINIMUM: A six- to eight-week leave is generally considered the minimum to physically recover from childbirth. In more than 85% of U.S. households, both parents work or a single parent supports the family. But a recent survey found 20% returning to work within six weeks after giving birth, 66% in six weeks to six months and 8% between six months and a year. PAPER EARNINGS UP: Cheaper newsprint costs and a pickup in advertising helped boost newspaper earnings the first quarter. Knight-Ridder, publisher of The Miami Herald, The Philadelphia Inquirer and 27 other daily newspapers, said net income jumped 58% to $25 million, or 46 cents a share from $15.8 million or 32 cents a share a year ago. PARALEGAL WORK GROWING: The field of paralegal work is among the fastest-growing in the USA, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Rollins College plans to start a paralegal training program this year at campuses in Miami, Winter Park and Orlando, Fla. SALARIES WILL HOLD: Starting salaries for business school graduates will remain the same, according to a majority of business school deans, members of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. A USA TODAY survey found that 59% think undergraduate starting salaries will hold steady; 53% think that for MBA salaries. Of those who said they'd go up or down, more favored increases. FIDELITY SEEN ONSCREEN: The movie thriller "White Sands," opening this weekend, could be pointing toward a trend. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is eager for Willem Dafoe, but the cop character tells her sternly, "I'm married," resisting her wiles. In "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle," Matt McCoy fought off Rebecca de Mornay, claiming love for his wife. SHOW LOOKS AT NEW OLD DRUG: There's been some indication lately that heroin may be making a comeback as the drug of choice. The reality show "48 Hours," which built its reputation on "Crack Street," tracks the threat of the new "hot drug" that's actually an old one on a comeback. Included: Conversations with people caught smuggling the stuff in Bangkok, where the penalties are severe. MESSAGE RAP GETS THE MESSAGE: Message rap, with its chaotic rage sounding more and more like a broken record, may finally be slipping into a new groove. Example: The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy's "Hiphoprisy is the Greatest Luxury" album. Like Public Enemy, the Bay Area duo knows its political shrapnel is more likely to strike a young target audience if strapped to rock-pumped hip-hop bombshells. AUSTRIAN HOSIERY IS HOT: Forget Fogal of Switzerland. The best-kept stocking secret is Wolford of Austria. Not only is Wolford the hosiery of choice of such fashion mavens as Vogue editors Anna Wintour and Elizabeth Saltzman, it's also worn by women in Paris, London and New York. "They are fairly new to this country, but European women have worn them for years," says Lisa Levine of Galeries Lafayette, New York. STOCKINGS ARE PRICEY: The widespread popularity of Wolford of Austria stockings can be traced to their sturdiness. The opaque tights are thick, shiny and practically run-resistant with reinforced toes. And they make even women without calf muscles look like leg models. They're machine wash and dry and available at some small U.S. boutiques, Neiman-Marcus, I. Magnin and Galeries Lafayette. Average price: $30. LAGERFELD PLATFORMS SELL: The footwear revolution has begun - and it's got a new platform. French designer Karl Lagerfeld's new platform pumps (around $250) are selling wildly at Galeries Lafayette and Henri Bendel and Na Na can't keep ankle strap and lace-up platforms in stock. The store lent every pair to designer Betsey Johnson for her fall fashion show. The day after, phone orders already are being taken. MILLER JACKS UP SKI BOOTS: Nicole Miller's black platform ski boot pumps walked down her runway at the fall fashion shows in New York last week and into everyone's hearts. Several of her showroom sample shoes sold the day after the show to high fashion seers. Everywhere her employees went during fashion week they were asked about them. Miller should have them out late summer at $130-$150 per pair. Trends & Marketing Editor: Beth Mann. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM