Cherlin argues that Gill's procedural criticisms of Cherlin's work are groundless, and underlying themes of both of Gill's articles do not guide public policy concerning children and families. Gill's response to Cherlin notes that anecdotal evidence shows that increased availability and social acceptability of divorce cause more marital problems.…

Interviews with parents of over 80 handicapped children revealed common themes: coping; support services through a team approach; parent's advocacy role; searching for the best educational environment; characteristics of a good teacher; stress factors in family life; and parent aspirations for the child's future. Contains 28 references. (SV)

This case study examined the effects of a Maori language and culture immersion preschool program on a preschooler's English and Maori language usage at home. School and home observations revealed the importance of the child's role in acquiring bilingual expertise, the presence of complementary activities at home, and shared cultural commitments.…

The social support networks of 418 adults with mental retardation who live at home were found to be large, durable, active, and diverse in their composition. Family members predominated as members. Males and those with the most severe mental retardation were found to be at risk for social isolation. (Author/JDD)

Legislation requires that early intervention services be delivered to young special needs children within the family context. To help rural professionals develop effective partnerships with American Indian families, common family cultural characteristics are outlined: extended family, permissive discipline, respect for children, group orientation,…

This study examined influences of ancestral, generational, and acculturational differences on meanings and preferences regarding outdoor recreation and forest use. A survey of visitors to four recreation sites found significant inter- and intra-ethnic differences, with two sites used primarily by less acculturated Hispanics and two by more…

Suggestions are provided for encouraging and nurturing gifted young scientists (ages 4-10), such as subscribing to a science magazine, making science a natural part of family life, and linking sciences to the arts. Young children are characterized as perceiving their world through the acronym SCIENCE (Sensory, Classify, Inquisitive, Experiment,…

Parents spend increasingly less time with their children because of the pressures of dual careers and single parenthood. Economic pressures and social values have affected sharing of family time. Studies show both parents and children consider spending time together the most important element in improving family life. (BC)

This article presents a model for mapping relationships in health and family life education. The model emphasizes a behavioral approach to health promotion as an individual and collective endeavor, resulting from decision making by individuals and the wider community. Sample curriculum units are included. (Author/IAH)

This article draws on experience from Delaware FIRST, a model demonstration project utilizing family assessment for overall project evaluation and program planning for parents and professionals. Instrument selection processes, administration procedures, families's reactions to the process, and usefulness of family assessments in project evaluation…

A survey of 37 Mexican immigrant and Chicana working women, aged 18-58, mostly married or formerly married, examined the interrelationships among acculturation, educational attainment, family life and structure, work attitudes, marital satisfaction, and psychiatric symptoms. More acculturated and more highly educated women continued to have strong…

Draws on interviews with 50 urban American Indians to examine how foster-care placements compromised former foster children's ability to parent their own children. Discusses the influence of parental drinking on family life, leading to child neglect and foster-care placement; differing experiences of foster children raised by extended family…

This brief review of the writings and research of African-American child-rearing experts provides a synopsis of the rich assortment of information available to the counseling profession. The most salient theme is that of firm discipline to prepare children for an often antagonistic environment. (EMK)

The tenets of traditional sex therapy based on dysfunction and pathology are critiqued, and a feminist model proposed. Recognizing that equity and power issues, particularly in heterosexual relationships, are basic issues, women and issues of gender are at the center of the model. Three cases illustrate the model. (Author/EMK)

A study examined the effects of a video-based intervention combining self-assessment, self-modeling, discrimination training, and behavioral rehearsal on two sets of parents' interactions with their children with autism during self-care tasks and social play with their siblings. The intervention increased parents' social prompts and altered…