This study investigated the strengths homeless children exhibit. Homeless children living in shelters and children of the same peer group living in low income housing were interviewed about home activities, interests, abilities, talents, character strengths, autonomous behavior, and interactions with adults. All children were selected from first,…

This report resulted from a project designed to involve people with disabilities in the development of employment policies and rehabilitation services. The report presents recommendations addressing employment preparation, placement, postemployment, and support systems. The project, titled "National Agenda for the Employment of People with…

This theme issue explores the relevance of self-determination for persons with developmental disabilities across the life span, ways in which it is or can be expressed, and obstacles to its exercise. The articles show the futility of enhancing self-determination by teaching choice-making skills if environments offer no opportunities to exercise…

YOUTH DARES (Dynamic Alternatives for Rehabilitation through Educational Services) believes there are three major environments youth come into contact with or that impact on their development: the family, the educational system, and the "street." An element missing from all of these environments is youth participation. A fourth…

The intent of a liberal education is to enhance the student's freedom, the faculty of intentional choice. The capacity of humans to step outside of themselves, which allows development of self-concept and subsequently self-esteem, is potentiated by the humans' unique sign, the symbol. Each of the liberal arts is concerned with the development and…

Transformational, charismatic leadership occurs in a conflict-ridden situation, where attendant emotional travail is so uncomfortable that macro and micro structures will admit to change in efforts to relieve the tension. An inspirational message that redefines and reprioritizes deeply cherished values and the leader's role-modeling influence…

Twenty-nine recommendations were compiled from ideas generated by participants at the National Conference on Self- Determination, which was called by the United States Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, with over half the participants having disabilities of some kind. The participants came with different perspectives, but…

The character of internalization as a continuous phenomenon was explored, with particular attention given to children's movement from heteronomy to autonomy. (The term "internalization" refers to the process by which an individual acquires an attitude, belief, or behavioral regulation from external sources and progressively transforms it…

A major decision confronting the basic communication course director involves the degree of instructional freedom to grant teaching assistants in regard to lecture/presentational materials, readings, written assignments, examinations, and grading procedures. In making these decisions, certain philosophical and pragmatic implications of possible…

Approximately 200 employees of small and medium sized businesses participated in a study to determine if their task characteristics affected the communication network roles they enact. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of variety, autonomy, task identity, feedback, dealing with others, and friendship opportunities on the network…

Examines the impact of pubertal status and timing, independent of chronological age, on the family relationships of adolescents in 204 families with a firstborn child between the ages of 10 and 15. Measures included adolescent and parental reports of closeness, confict, and autonomy and assessments of adolesents' pubertal status and pubertal…

Notes that rational client's decision to commit suicide may present complex ethical issues for therapist. Presents and discusses three-month account of therapy with client, from perspective of ethical values and principles upon which assessment and treatment decisions were made, and complex ethical dilemmas encountered as therapist juxtaposed…

Illustrates, with data from a sample of U.S. middle-class families, how the structuring of the child care environment is related to culturally defined parental goals and attitudes toward development. Mothers' child care practices seemed to reflect the mothers' emphasis on cultural values such as independence and exploration to further cognitive…

An argument in educational theory unfolds as the nature of an autonomous student is discussed. Questions, such as, "What sort of student attitude do we need in order to render ordinary schools into free schools?" are posed and discussed. The author's experience as a student is given as an example. (JL)

Conducted assertiveness training courses among students, emphasizing relationship between assertiveness and everyday problems, female and male socialization, differences between assertiveness and aggression, and self-esteem. Used behavioral rehearsal in role play situations on anger, giving and receiving compliments, requesting changes, and…