This bulletin explores the social, economic, and demographic trends that have contributed to the changing structure of the American family. Sections of the document discuss: (1) definitions of household and family; (2) types of families, including married couples with and without children and single-parent families; (3) living arrangements of…

This paper presents a summary of a qualitative research study which evaluated, in case studies of three families, what it means to have a child with a disability. The research developed out of practice in early intervention and work focusing on optimal developmental environments for persons with disabilities. Background information on each of the…

This gerontology curriculum model for high school family life programs in Oregon is organized by concepts, objectives, strategies, resources, generalizations, and evaluation techniques. There are eight curriculum concepts and objectives in this guide: (1) attitudes; (2) factors affecting aging; (3) demographics; (4) well-being in later life; (5)…

A case study detailed the influence of a nine-year-old female sibling on the writing development of her younger brother, from the time he was 18 months old until he was 28 months old. General and significant interactions, such as the boy's oral language milestones and the books the children shared, were recorded in a journal by their mother.…

The occurrence of breast cancer creates psychosocial stress for both the patient and her family. Because of the threat to the patient's life and frequent disfigurement that results from breast cancer, interpersonal relationships, particularly the marital/sexual relationship and the mother/daughter relationship, are adversely affected. The related…

Fifty-two families of students successful in public school and 40 families of students requiring alternative school programs completed self-report instruments on their perceptions of parent-adolescent communication and family functioning. The alternative school programs included residential and day treatment programs for adolescents with emotional…

The economic decline of rural America has widespread consequences for families, children, and education. Broad changes in farming and in the rural nonfarm sector have pushed the poverty rate for rural areas in the 1980s higher than the central cities rate. Projections indicate that by the mid-1990s, one-half of all farm families in the midwest may…

This digest discusses the ways in which counselors in middle schools can help youngsters face the challenges of early adolescence and prepare them for life in high school. It focuses on: (1) understanding one's self; (2) family relationships; (3) peer pressure and drug abuse; (4) stressful lives; (5) sexual maturation; (6) academics; and (7)…

The most striking feature of the Japanese social studies curriculum at the elementary level is its role as the instructor of Japanese national values and attitudes. The social studies curriculum has gone through four major revisions since World War II. In the most recent revision, in the early 1980's, the focus has been on instituting new teaching…

This paper is designed to clarify the concept of the family-career connection, defined as the interrelationships of family and career roles. The connection is illustrated in a model that includes the components of aspects of the family, aspects of careers, family functions, trends, and career development interventions. The family-career connection…

This paper attempts to dispel stereotypes about black family structures through an examination of the impact of demographic trends on black women. Topics covered include the following: (1) the structure of black families from the arrival of black slaves in North America through the 1950's; (2) the impact that the historical structure and…

The document presents 10 papers addressing special education programs in Wessex, England, and reviews of 11 books dealing with special education for disabled children. Papers have the following titles and authors: "The Development of New Services for Mentally Handicapped People in Horticulture and Agriculture" by D. Carter and A. Carter;…

This document contains the papers presented at the 1981 Ohio Council on Family Relations convention. The two papers from the first session on adolescent and student concerns discuss women students and the need for female role models and abortion attitudes among high school and college students. A paper in the second session on family and community…

The Kennedy Children's Room and Family Center Program was developed by the joint endeavors of faculty from West Virginia University and personnel at the Kennedy Center Federal Correctional Institution, Morgantown, West Virginia. Goals are (1) to develop and implement a model training program which focuses on fostering and enhancing effective…

This study of the bidirectional effects of parent-child relations, focuses on the exchange of attachment behaviors, investigating the interactions of twelve 3-member nuclear families in a strange-situation condition. Dyadic and triadic conditions involving parents with their 12-, 18-, or 24-month-old children were observed and videotaped in a…