Examines the first 14 books of the "Sweet Valley University" series. Finds that the storylines on sex send conflicting messages that make readers believe that premarital sex is not an important issue. Notes that date rape and a brief look at racism and alcohol abuse are the only serious topics addressed. (RS)

Explores the nature of how drama unfolds in the author's classroom around the historical events of the Cherokee Trail of Tears. Describes how they explored the viewpoints of people involved in the historical events; recreated the setting and action through props, costumes, and scenery; understood the role of the teacher as actor; and problem…

Analyzes the rhetorical strategies of the direct action AIDS organization ACT UP using Kenneth Burke's concept of the comic frame. Suggests conditions under which other despised and oppressed groups may respond after having been scapegoated by society. (PA)

Reviews recent Native American films and the racial problems they depict. Explores the making and distributing of these films and discusses Vision Maker Video, one of the principal distributors. (GR)

This cross-national study of moral reasoning among adolescents in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland addresses the problem of possible moral truncation in Northern Ireland due to political conflict. Analysis of results suggested that despite the violent atmosphere over the last 30 years, the Northern Irish adolescents were not…

A children's social health index calculated from six aspects of social health indicates that the social health of children is deteriorating in the areas of infant mortality, child abuse, child poverty, teenage suicide, and high school dropouts. (SH)

Discusses the British underclass, a subgroup of poor people who live off mainstream society without participating in it. Examines the underclass' roots in illegitimacy, crime, and voluntary unemployment. Suggests that well-intentioned social policies have removed incentives for change. (FMW)

Compared personal and social problems and ambitions of Italian, Spanish, and Greek adolescents living in Germany with those of German adolescents. Found that family and religion played more important role for foreign adolescents than for Germans. While parents appeared to have same importance for all adolescents, emotional relations with siblings…

Dropping out from postsecondary schooling is widely considered a social problem. The two kinds of dropout behavior differ, since postsecondary enrollment is voluntary and high school enrollment is compulsory. This statistical study shows that the decision to enroll in college constitutes an experiment that might result in leaving college early.…

Discusses the inadequacy of two positions used to explain the high rates of social problems among Blacks: genetic inferiority and the culture of poverty. Offers an alternative perspective based on the effects of racism and patterns of racial oppression. Asserts that Black institutions must foster an Afrocentric world view among Black males. (MW)

Analyzes the use of fantasy to represent the nuclear family and current social and economic changes affecting the family in four recent children's films: "An American Tail,""Follow that Bird,""The Boy Who Could Fly," and "Pee Wee's Big Adventure." (eight references) (CLB)

Contends that for social workers to be prepared to practice in postindustrial society, social work education must teach practice perspectives that view the whole of social problems and that concentrate on the rehabilitation of victims of these problems. Discusses theoretical constructs, values, basic assumptions, practice principles, and…

Argues that adult educators should promote "feminine" values and devalue power, domination, consumerism, aggression, and violence. Suggests that conventional ways of thinking about development and literacy education perpetuate an unjust status quo. (SK)

Rural problems are obscured by constructions of "idyll-ized" rural life as the spatial expression of self-supporting, happy, problem-free existence in a market economy. (British) Rural Lifestyles study findings suggest that rural problems are associated with a wide range of experiences of marginalization (economic, political, cultural)…

Child caregivers are in a particularly strong position to be child advocates, as they have the most current and effective information about child development. Advocacy is a fundamental responsibility of NAEYC, which is exploring ways to increase its advocacy activities. Effective advocacy requires a variety of individuals with an extensive range…