Asserts that sole custody has not met the needs of the divorced family. Discusses the benefits of joint custody as an alternative that more realistically defines the postdivorce relationship between the child and both parents. The linkage between joint custody and divorce mediation is also discussed. (Author)

Joint custody, the newest child custody alternative following divorce, is intended to benefit and serve the best interests of children. Unintended consequences, however, have been relatively unexplored, which raises questions as to the viability of joint custody for all families, regardless of social class, race, or ethnicity. Until further…

Notes that, although progress in understanding and treating children's mental disorders is limited, more is known today about how to prevent mental disorders, what treatments are effective, and importance of providing multiple services. Presents current knowledge on assessment, treatment, and service delivery to help social workers improve…

Notes that sexual abuse of children is common and serious problem and that wide range of behavioral abnormalities have been linked to sexual and physical abuse. Notes that many symptoms also are seen in children with other disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Tourette syndrome. Presents case report of seven-year-old…

Makes an analogy between separation experiences of children in placement and those of children in stepfamilies to emphasize the children's need to mourn losses and to develop a sense of identity through continuity with significant adults, prior to beginning new bonding relationships. Makes suggestions for attracting stepfamilies to agencies for…

Grandparents may feel resentment, discomfort and embarrassment toward handicapped grandchild. To offer emotional support to the parents, they must resolve these feelings. Talking with people knowledgeable about handicaps and reading may help grandparents accept handicaps. Grandparents' attention and interest can make major contributions to…

Interviews with 21 children of lesbians in greater Boston area, ranging in age from 9 to 26, identified several major issues. Problems experienced involved parents' divorce and disclosure of mother's homosexuality. Problems between mother and children were secondary to the issue of children's respect for difficult step she had taken. (Author/NRB)

The United States has no national policy on "the family." Reviews the reasons why it is unlikely that such a policy will emerge in the foreseeable future, and urges adoption of social policies and programs that will assure to all children the care and nurturance for growth and development. (Author)

Because a national day care program will probably be instituted soon, the major issues should be debated before policies are set. Thus some program models are analyzed and then related to the needs of various consumer groups. (Author)

Discusses the problems of children with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Questions whether society is prepared to respond to these children's needs. Asserts that the definitions of child abuse and neglect need to include the transmission of AIDS and that the foster care system will probably not be able to meet the needs of this…

Describes advantages of "time line" therapy with 5- to 8-year-old children with history of traumatic experiences. Therapist draws line and, beginning with child's birth, marks below line traumatic events (divorce, hospitalizations, death, accidents). Above line therapist marks child's developmental behaviors and feelings about events.…

Suggests that systematic provision for the participation of clients in decision making could mitigate a number of longstanding problems in child welfare. Argues that clients' opinions are not, a priori, any more or less subjective than those of child welfare professionals. (Author)