Surveys students to evaluate a new Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) baccalaureate program at the Pennsylvania State University Commonwealth College. The program emphasizes the link between technology and interpersonal communication. Results show that the program's primary success has been with improving students' comfort level and hence…

African-American families have many strengths they have used to survive and thrive. Family and consumer sciences professionals should use these strengths in strategic ways when working with this population. (SK)

Reviews Covey's "7 Habits of Effective Families," noting that time plays an important part in each habit. Discusses several important "time" issues for families: time to plan for time, time for awareness of quality time, time to have two-way communication, time for family moments, and time to reflect. Includes suggestions for…

The meaning of familial responsibility to older members was investigated by interviewing two or three generations in families (N=15 families) providing assistance to older family members in a noninstitutional setting. Shared responsibility and responsibility to other family members are found to be important. A broader conceptualization of filial…

The growth of information technology provides a new teaching capacity for professional development of family life educators. This article explores the development of one such website. Examines procedures for obtaining formative evaluation data about websites and considers the implications of this work for developing more effective professional…

Reviews the positive impact of cross-generational contact among children, parents, and grandparents. Draws on research in this field and blends theory with experiences, using personal examples to illustrate concepts of cross-generational involvement. (Author/JDM)

Reports on interviews with mothers and their partners while in the Labor and Delivery units of two hospitals in Tennessee. Determined from the interviews that the perinatal period provides an opportunity for family life education that can help couples explore expectations for shared involvement in childbearing along with other parenting concerns.…

Examines the culture and history of the Internet that have contributed to the recent emergence of a subset of romantic interpersonal relationships known as computer mediated relationships. Considers the differences between the characteristics of face-to-face relationships and online relationships. Discusses implications of findings on clinical…

This study examined the attitudes and values of 47 able-bodied, 36 blind, and 44 wheelchair-using individuals toward various aspects of marriage including love, sexual life, parenthood, and infidelity. No significant differences were found in attitudes and views among groups. All valued marriage and family life highly and had similar expectations.…

Discusses the situated nature of everyday human action in households. Compares the contribution of different scientific paradigms (empirical, interpretive, and critical-emancipatory) to the study of household activity. (Contains 40 references.) (JOW)

Dual-career women (n=197) completed assessments of career attitudes, dyadic adjustment, and family adaptability and cohesion. Cohesion in the early life-cycle and adaptability in the late life-cycle were significant predictors of job satisfaction. Satisfaction increased as each life-cycle stage progressed. (Contains 25 references.) (SK)

In this study, the model of two independent dimensions of family connectedness, closeness-caregiving, and intrusiveness, was tested by assessing spouses from 264 couples, using the California Inventory for Family Assessment (CIFA). As predicted, factor analyses distinguished dimensions of intrusiveness (blurring of boundaries) from…

Couples in remarriages with stepchildren are a significant portion of the marriage population and have unique educational needs regarding aspects of couple functioning within the context of stepfamily development. From a review of the literature, we examine current curricula focused on these couples. Information is offered on implementation issues…

Previous research and first-hand experience suggest that a child with a disability can have a profound effect on family life. Although the need for sibling support has been acknowledged in legislation, the implications for non-disabled siblings remain unclear. In this article, Angie Naylor, lecturer in psychology, and Phil Prescott, senior…

This study examined the impact of children with autism on their families. Twenty-one parents who were the primary caregivers were interviewed about (a) recognition and diagnosis of autism in their child, (b) intervention services accessed, and (c) the impact of having a child with autism on their family. The results suggest that families who have…