Disputes that original data of Minuchin, Rosman and Baker (1978) support their assertions that some diabetic patients' physiological disturbance serves a function in their families. Concludes that their psychosomatic family model decontextualizes families, assigning to them characteristics more appropriately seen as reflections of the disease…

Reviews the history of human development, and of family development and its interdisciplinary nature. Explores variations as well as the universality of the family life cycle and developmental tasks. Presents examples of the applications of family developmental concepts by a variety of practitioners in the family field, offering ideas on research…

Fifty-one 10- to 16-year-old siblings of mentally retarded children were given the Family Relations Test and Rotter's Incomplete Sentence Test. Results indicated family dynamics were influenced by parent reaction to the handicapped child. Compared to controls, the siblings showed idealization of the mentally handicapped child and more conflicts…

The effects of stress in families of very young handicapped or at-risk children are pervasive, multiple, and sometimes unsuspected. Stress reduction strategies include building on family strengths, empowering families and children, arranging for medical stabilization, providing social and economic stabilization, providing a functional curriculum,…

After-school activity programs to alleviate the worries of working parents with school-age children and to provide these children with directed play are proposed. A budget for such a program; how to locate volunteers; and a sample schedule are suggested. (JL)

The author describes an experimental project that brought family members together to learn about various topics. The project attempted to (1) build bridges between the school and the home, (2) increase parental motivation, (3) extend the subjects' choice of role models, and (4) widen the populations served by education. (CH)

A survey of 116 profoundly hearing-impaired adults demonstrating high personal, educational, and professional attainment identified factors that contributed to their education, profession, social life, family life, and physical well-being. Detailed demographic data and information on disability are given, and implications for the education of the…

Discusses and uses a global human ecological system framework to analyze family needs in relation to early childhood education. Topics emphasized include family support systems, population trends, health care, employment patterns, and political systems. Suggestions for meeting these needs are addressed to early childhood educators. (DST)

Reviews literature on handicapped children and their families, particularly parents. Early studies reported devastating effects of handicapping conditions on families, resulting in certain myths. More recent studies reported less devastating effects. Research regarding several such myths is examined. Providers of professional services should…

Eighteen interviews conducted in 1981 in three rural Wisconsin communities revealed that parents could not separate the roles of family life, rural communities, and schools. Four topics were covered: role of the family, control over children, consistence between home and school, and how childrens' future will be different from parents.' (BRR)

Study of 245 Mexican American male workers from Arizona, California, Colorado, and Texas found substantial spillover effects of nonwork satisfaction on reported job satisfaction. Nonwork variables were amount of control over life, satisfaction with family life, employment opportunities in community, leisure time, relationship with spouse, standard…

This evaluation identified outcomes of participation in Minnesota's Early Childhood and Family Education program. A case study approach was used to assess the impact of program participation. A positive reaction to the program was noted, and certain changes in family functioning were attributable to participation. (DWH)

This paper reviews the literature examining the lifelong challenges to family members represented by the birth of a child with severe disabilities. The paper addresses issues of family life, the systems that affect families, and current and future concerns related to having a child with severe disabilities. Studies addressing families of infants,…

These three booklets include the works of student winners of the Richard A. Bove Migrant Student Poets and Writers Festival for the years 1994, 1995, and 1996. Each booklet contains approximately 25 short stories, essays, and poems written by migrant students ages 8-11, 12-15, and 16-19. First, second, and third place winners for each age group…

This booklet reports the findings of a study that focused on the well-being and lifestyle of 479 families of children (ages 2-17) with Down syndrome (DS) in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. A comparative study of families of typical children in the Nordic countries was also done. The results of the study indicate that bringing up a…