Author - Symone Osieko

Brian J. Higginbotham, Ph.D. & Dan Felix

ABSTRACT. Guided by family stress theory, this study compares newlywed samples of remarried couples from rural and urban areas. More than 900 men and 1,000 women in remarriages responded to questionnaires that assessed their economic pressures, family characteristics, and relationship quality. On socioeconomic characteristics, rural and urban couples differed. Urban couples were more educated, had smaller households, and had higher incomes. However, both samples reported high levels of satisfaction and low levels of relationship instability. Regression analyses identified gender differences in the economic predictors of relationship quality. For wives, both marital satisfaction and marital instability were predicted by financial concerns. For men, relationship outcomes were related to the ability to make ends meet. Material needs (having enough money to afford necessities) also predicted marital satisfaction for women, but not marital instability. Implications for family life education are provided.

Erin Faith Boyd-Soisson and Raeann R. Hamon

ABSTRACT: The Family Folklore Album project is a pedagogical tool in which students interview family members in order to collect stories which are then organized and critically analyzed using concepts and insights gained from a family science course. The Album is designed to help students to gain an awareness of their own family and their place within it, as well as the multiplicity of ways of being family. Formal assessment data of the project reveals that, in general, students appreciate the opportunity to spend time with and learn more about their family members, while at the same time gaining a deeper understanding of family science concepts and their own identity.

Heidi E. Stolz, Ph.D., Denise J. Brandon Ph.D., & Heather S. Wallace, M.S.

ABSTRACT: This manuscript utilizes data from a telephone survey of 312 parent educators across the state of Tennessee to inform research and service efforts of a university-based parenting center. Specifically, we investigated (a) techniques used to disseminate parenting information, (b) specialized populations targeted, (c) curricula used as well as the evidentiary basis of those curricula, and (d) parent educator training and education, all at both state and within-state regional levels. Overall, results indicated that classes were generally available for individuals in various specialized populations, and a range of techniques were utilized to reach parents. Additionally, a variety of curricula were in use by relatively well-trained professionals. Results suggested several areas in which the resources of the university could be directed toward supporting the efforts of parenting educators in Tennessee. University faculty elsewhere are encouraged to similarly connect with front-line parent educators, gather data, and initiate services to help them help others.

Linda S. Behrendt, Ph.D.

ABSTRACT: Social and cultural changes in the 21st century have impacted the task of parenting, and in response to these challenges, the role of parent education has taken on increased importance. The National Extension has defined skills for effective parenting titled Parent Education Model of Critical Parenting Practices, which provide guidelines for educators. Search Institute has identified 40 developmental assets that all children and youth need to aid them in successfully navigating to adulthood. The theoretical question addressed in this paper is whether the Parent Education Model and Asset Development used together would enhance parent education. A review of the Parent Education Model and Asset Development, as well as results from two focus groups, informed the theoretical question. Implications for practice include curriculum suggestions for use in a variety of parent education, social service, and youth settings.

Scott S. Hall, Ph.D.

ABSTRACT. A common perception is that fathers play an important, if not distinct, role in influencing their young daughters’ future, heterosexual relationships, though the means by which paternal influence and relational outcomes are linked is unclear. The current study explores associations between positive paternal influences (paternal support, a father’s treatment of the daughter’s mother) and attachment styles and dispositions toward marriage (beliefs, attitudes, intentions) of young adult women, with emphasis on unique associations for the father-daughter dyad compared to other parent child pairings. A multivariate multiple regression and follow-up regression models yielded some but limited support for unique associations between fathers and daughters. Especially apparent, however, was the tendency for a daughter to be attracted to relationship partners who reminded her of her father when she reported higher levels of positive paternal influences from her childhood.

Mary Jo Katras, Elizabeth M. Dolan, Sharon B. Seiling, and Bonnie Braun

ABSTRACT: Rural welfare mothers receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) have a difficult time reaching economic security and lessening their reliance on benefits because of the impediments they face regarding employment opportunities, transportation, child care resources, and more. This article focuses on 62 rural mothers, each receiving TANF at some point during the three year Rural Families Speak study. By their third-year interview, only 11 of the 62 mothers had household incomes above 150% of poverty for their family size. These 11 achieved success through educational training in fields offering livable wages. The other 51 mothers were struggling to overcome barriers such as poor health and lack of transportation. The rural economy was a barrier faced by both the successful and non-successful mothers. Mothers representing those who got off TANF and those who did not were both profiled. Their words add to the quantitative findings. Rural residents face barriers measurably different from their urban counterparts, and policymakers have not considered rural-urban differences in creating TANF regulations. The barriers and pathways identified in this study should inform future public policy decisions.

Jane D. Lanigan, Mary Bold, and Lillian Chenoweth

ABSTRACT: This article examines the perceived affect of computers on family time and relationships. A family systems theoretical framework guided the exploratory qualitative investigation. Results indicate that computer use generally replaced solitary or minimal interaction activities. However, the majority of participants (n = 79; 89%) perceived that the computer impacted their family relationships. Of those participants, 45% (n = 36) cited a mostly positive impact; 24% (n = 19) a mixed impact and 20% (n = 16) a mostly negative impact. Themes included connection and the computer as a source of family information. The potential benefit of considering family characteristics was demonstrated as differences emerged based on family type as well as reported family levels of cohesion and adaptability.

Kevin Gross

ABSTRACT: Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were analyzed comparing the constructs of sexual intercourse and sexual competence using various background characteristics. Forty-two percent of the youth had experienced sexual intercourse during the previous year. Of these, the level of sexual competence was high (Mean = 5.36 on a scale that ranged from 0 to 7). Significant independent effects were found for gender and race in relation to sexual competence and for age, race, family structure, and parental education in relation to sexual intercourse. Both being a male and being black were associated with lower levels of sexual competence; whereas, being older, black, from a single-parent household, and having parents with lower levels of education were all associated with having had sexual intercourse. Findings illustrate the importance of considering sexual competence when investigating adolescent sexuality.

Jacob Priest, Misty Burnett, Rachel Thompson, Anne Vogel, and Paul L. Schvaneveldt

ABSTRACT: This research examines the impact that of relationship dissolutions on romance and mate selection beliefs. A questionnaire was randomly distributed to 261 young adults regarding past breakup history and attitudes toward unrealistic beliefs of romance and mate selection. Age, gender, relationship status, the number of breakups and recentness of a breakup were all shown to affect one or more of these unrealistic beliefs. The study suggests that the more relationship experience an individual has, the less likely one is to hold unrealistic beliefs when choosing a mate.

Jennie E. Long Dilworth

ABSTRACT: Schools and communities conduct sexuality education programs to supplement the information children receive from parents and caregivers. Critics argue that this institutional education supplants parental teaching and fails to include parents as partners in sex education. To assess to what extent current sex education curricula draw parents into this vital process, eight empirically validated sex/HIV education programs were selected for content analysis. Programmatic references to parents were organized into thematic categories representing varying levels of parent inclusion. Results of these analyses can assist schools in selecting parent-friendly sex education curricula. Recommendations for family life educators are presented.

Stephen F. Duncan

ABSTRACT: Upon graduation, many family science graduate students will have opportunities to work with lay audiences in educational settings outside the traditional university and high school classroom. To succeed in educating lay audiences requires a somewhat different skill set than that which students currently gain in many family science programs. Thus, for graduates in family life education to succeed well in educating the public requires different skills than teaching students in traditional classroom settings. This article reports the development, implementation, and evaluation of a course, called The Outreach Class, as an example of what family science graduate programs can do to assure that students gain the skills they need. Evaluation data show the course is experienced as a positive, hands-on learning experience. It is suggested that through a course like this, students gain practical educational experiences that arm them to become more effective ambassadors of family science scholarship to citizens of the world.

Heidi E. Stolz

ABSTRACT: This study explores the effects of an undergraduate parent-child relations curriculum designed to integrate instruction of developmental and parenting theory into an applied skill-based parenting framework. It was hypothesized that students in the applied teaching group would demonstrate significantly more improvement in effective parenting behaviors from pre-test to post-test than control group students who were enrolled in a traditional text-based course. The results suggested the 10 week curricula positively impacted the parenting skills of treatment group participants (N = 54), but not control group participants (N = 25), as evidenced by blind, quantitative coding of responses to hypothetical parent-child scenarios.

Rebecca A. Adams and Scott S. Hall

ABSTRACT: The benefits of using film clips in Marriage and Family Relations classes are numerous. They can be used to teach new concepts, initiate discussion, and assist students in developing “perspective taking,” an important component in feminist pedagogy and in developing critical thinking skills. Suggestions for classroom utilization are included, as well as methods for gathering film clips and information about copyright issues. The appendix includes numerous examples of family related themes, movies in which the clips can be found, descriptions of the scenes and the approximate length of each clip.

Carmel White

ABSTRACT: This study examined college students’ conceptualizations of “busy work” in a course that incorporated student-centered learning and collaborative learning groups. About 40% of the students felt that there was no “busy work.” Those that did most frequently reported that in-class group assignments and providing feedback to group presentations were “busy work.” Examinations were least likely seen as “busy work.” It is recommended that faculty explain the pedagogical rationale when student-centered learning techniques are used.

Laura S. Smart

ABSTRACT: Family science emerged as a separate social science discipline in the last quarter of the 20th century. In the mid 1980s, two organizations gave recognition to the new discipline. The Family Science section of National Council on Family Relations was formed, and a separate organization, the Family Science Association, also was formed. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of family science, with a focus on 1982-2007. Eight categories of family science scholarship from 1987-2007 are reviewed: academic programs, curriculum development, ethical guidelines for practice, philosophy of science, research methodologies, the interface between research and practice, and career development.

Isabel Vega Robles

ABSTRACT: This paper is a translation of the plenary address that Dr. Vega Robles gave at the Groves Conference in San Jose' which is available, upon request, in Spanish. It is drawn from her dissertation research.

Michael P. Farrell

ABSTRACT: This article outlines some of the theoretical issues and research
findings from case study and survey research on the effects of adolescent
boundary testing and development on parents' psychological functioning and
development. It also looks at aspects such as family culture, gender
relationships and feedback between functioning response and behavior from the
point of view of both the parent and the adolescent.

Dina Krauskopf

ABSTRACT: This article explores the meaning of general research and theory of adolescence within the context of social change in Latin America. Generational conflicts within families and the opportunity structure of the emerging countries are discussed. Needs for more careful application and local investigations of adolescent development are identified. Families in the region must confront the changing of their traditions, and large sectors are affected by the effects of political instability and poverty. Thus, adolescence, a period in which new experiences and questions abound, finds a weakening in the structures that could deal with and channel these new experiences and questions. These conditions often cause disturbances in the developmental process.

Davor Jedlicka

ABSTRACT: Immigration for marriage trends before and after the passage of the United States Senate bill on "marriage fraud" in 1986 are examined. The data suggest that marriage fraud was low or negligible before and after the passage of that bill. No statistically discernable changes in immigration trends were found in the direction predicted b1t those who proposed the bill. The results of a survey of participants in international mate selection also confirm these findings. College graduates and professional people who sought love and
marriage on both sides of the ocean were over-represented. These data and the
literature reviewed indicate that most people who immigrate for marriage seek
love and happiness. The mechanisms of international mate selection involve
much communication, and since 1986 face-to-face encounters are required. The implications of the frequently used epithet, "mail order bride," have always been derogatory and misleading. In interviews, immigrant women found the phrase bigoted and hurtful. It is strongly suggested that such vocabulary is, in fact, pejorative. At the same time, the authors of family textbooks are encouraged to discuss in their books the ever-growing proportion of international marriages in America and around the world.

Deborah B. Gentry

ABSTRACT: This integrative essay seeks analyze four exemplary school-based family life education programs. The following elements of family life education, as called for by Thomas and Arcus, will be identified for each program.

Carol Anderson Darling, Sally Hansen-Gandy, & Bonnie B. Greenwood

ABSTRACT: To facilitate cultural awareness in educational settings, a research investigation using focus group methodology was conducted in three Florida cities with varied and diverse populations. Interviews with students, teachers, counselors, and administrators in secondary schools with multicultural populations provided information for qualitative analysis. The findings included the identification of cultural issues pertaining to students and families, as well as successful educational methods, materials, and communication styles that can be used in multicultural settings. Suggestions for educational strategies to enhance cultural awareness are included.

Author info

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Barbara H. Settles, Carolyn Grasse-Bachman, & Marv Lou Liprie

ABSTRACT: Family life educational materials were developed with underserved adolescents in African and Latin American communities as a focus. A set of curriculum materials that had been previously used for minority adolescents were one of the foundations. Focus groups from the community of adults and tested with older youth and young adults and a review of research and curricula and adolescents were used to develop the revisions that included the production and refinement of a peer leader manual and model lessons. A discussion videotape was produced and the whole program was piloted. The total program was distributed in the Delaware school's Family and Consumer Sciences programs administrators in state departments of education throughout the United States.

Deborah B. Gentry

ABSTRACT: An adaptation of a "Conflict Manager" program for an elementary/middle school setting is described. Outcomes regarding school to home transfer of knowledge and skills are highlighted.

Barbara H. Settles

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Isabel Vega  Robles

ABSTRACT: The psychological indicators and family organization and labor practice in microenterprises are examined, and embody three dimensions that share a strong relationship with each other: family dynamics, productive work of the family units, and resources available to do the work. These results came from a study that used in-depth interviews with eleven women in microenterprises to explore the underlying processes. A system of values and very traditional family beliefs was found that underlie women's microenterprises. The perspective of women's work reflects these values. Women in microenterprises may believe that for her to be responsible for her own business it may conflict with family unity and her relationship with a spouse or companion, and will develop some strategies and use resources within her reach to build a platform that will allow her to comply with the many roles imposed on her. The credit and training programs geared to women's microenterprises must be based on the realities on the realities of the women involved and not on ideal economic assumptions.

Roger H. Rubin

ABSTRACT: Family policies in China/Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia are discussed and implications for the Americas are considered. Reference is made to the contrasts among these nations regarding the extent of direct government involvement in family life. Programs related to population control, marriage and divorce, social welfare services, child care and protection, housing, education, health care and pensions and retirement are examined.

Regina George-Bowden & Norma J. Burgess

ABSTRACT: Many changes in the lives of women are occurring globally. Women and their families continue to experience significant challenges to the quality of life, educational, health, and economic opportunites. We examine women's lives in Costa Rica regarding these issues to continue the discussion in Latin America.

John T. Deiner & Penny L. Deiner

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Jo Lynn Cunningham

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Julia A. Malia & James E. Malia

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Beverly A. Schroeder & Pamela Boyce

ABSTRACT: Building Strong Families, a parent education program from Michigan State University Extension, is designed for first time, limited-resources, and limited-literacy skill parents of children birth to three years of age. It has incorporated research on normative child development, effectiveness of peer instructors, adult learners with limited resources, and learners with limited-literacy skills. The curriculum stresses the importance of parenting in the child's early development. It is intended to empower the parents to positively impact their children's future. The four units in the program include: How Kids Develop, Helping Kids Behave, Playing to Learn, and Smart Living. The curricula materials include concept sheets, an evaluation kit, experiential activities, videos, flip charts, and trainer's manuals.

Building Strong Families was piloted with African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, and urban and rural audiences. The feedback to the design team was incorporated into the final development of Building Strong Families. The evaluations of the program indicate positive outcomes in improving interactions between parents and their infants, safer home environments, willingness to access social supports, increase of internal locus of control, and higher levels of positive parenting behaviors.

Georgia L. Stevens & Kathleen A. Lodl

ABSTRACT: Successful coalition development is the basis for citizen action. It is through the working together toward a common goal and the sharing of resources that differences can actually be made for the betterment of society. This paper highlights a 10-year model coalition-buidling project that has been successful at both local and statewide levels. By studying this project longitudinally and exploring various aspects of the coalition building process and its impact of the people it serves, insight can be gained as how to replicate truly successful coalition development.

Barbara H. Settles, James Earl Davis, Carolyn Grasse-Bachman, Kathy A. Janvier, & Scott R. Rosas

ABSTRACT: Families and Centers Empowered Together (FACET) is an intervention program for the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) abuse by providing family support with a strong parental empowerment emphasis. It was funded as a 5-year demonstration project with a complex process and outcome evaluation design. The program proposed to bring parents of preschool children who were served by daycare centers in at-risk neighborhoods together to support both their children's learning and their own growth and community building. The rationale for its support by a prevention program was based on a review of research and evaluation, which detected a tendency for prevention to be most effective when parents were involved earlier rather than later. The findings in both parts of the evaluation give strong support to the efficacy of the model. Among the recurrent central themes in the project findings are: the parent administered lending library is highly cost effective; parents do take leadership; child care workers are enthusiastic; attendance has been much higher than the original criteria of 50%; continuous training is needed and appreciated; all centers have made their specialist's offices accessible. Parents have taken initiative in recruiting, advocating and presenting the program. FACET has made the transition to a state supported on-going program following the demonstration.

Daniel E. Hanks, III

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Julia A. Malia & James E. Malia

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Esther E. Onaga, John L. McAdoo, & Francisco A. Villarruel

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Gary Schilmoeller & Kathryn Schilmoeller

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Sarah R. Foulke, Nancy B. Potter, & Josephine A. Allen

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Lee Ann De Reus, Eileen E. MaloneBeach, & Mary Kay DeGenova

ABSTRACT: Teaching identity development is vital to a thorough understanding of human development. However, little is known about identity formation in general, and women's identity formation in particular. The purpose of this article was to document experiences that two groups of women perceive as important factors shaping their identity formation, and to purpose applications for teaching human development. Interview data from Avery's (1980) study of critical life events is used to compare college educated African American and European American women's perceptions of the events that shaped their lives and their identities. Marriage and motherhood were the most frequently cited critical events for European American women. Returning to school and racism were the most frequently cited critical events for African American women. The article is specifically organized and conceptualized for classroom use and includes questions to challenge students' thinking and to foster discussion.

Todd M. Edwards & Christopher P. Neck

ABSTRACT: A model for effective teaching is presented to guide new instructors in family science courses. The I-MAC Teaching Model includes: (1) Introduction, (2) Mini-lecture, (3) Application, and (4) Conclusion. Examples of the authors' application of the model, the model's flexibility, and student evaluation of its effectiveness are described.

Bernita Quoss, Karen Cachevki Williams, & Margaret Cooney

ABSTRACT: This study of teaching practices adds to the scholarship of teaching in family science by providing a model of classroom research. Three researcher-instructors systematically investigated their teaching practices, utilizing qualitative methods that included multiple classroom observations as well as semi-structured interviews with students. Their analysis and findings were grounded in a four-stage model of student intellectual development and in Vygotsky's theory of the zone of several teaching practices were identified as being the most useful at specific stages of student development; some problematic practices were identified. In addition, two barriers to intellectual development were identified: affective issues and a rule of social harmony. These findings have implications for instructional practices, curriculum development, and post-graduate professional development in family science. In addition, more classroom research in family science should be encouraged.

Ramona Marotz-Baden, Sandra Osborne, & Holly Hunts

ABSTRACT: A review of educational research identified teaching to students' learning styles as an important component of effective instruction. The evolution of temperament and learning styles was traced. Prominent paradigms of learning styles were explained, emphasizing that one's teaching style reflects one's learning styles. Three examples incorporating different learning styles were presented to illustrated teaching across learning styles. Two implications of incorporating various learning styles into one's teaching which emerged from the literature were (1) improving one's students' abilities to understand Family Science concepts and (2) modeling ways for Family Science graduates to present information to their future clientele.

Richard B. Miller

ABSTRACT: There are three misconceptions about the empirical generalization that there is a curvilinear relationship between marital satisfaction and the family life cycle. These misconceptions are that the generalization is based primarily on cross-sectional data, the slope of the U-Shaped curve is steep and dramatic, and change in marital satisfaction over the life course is primarily a function of changes in parenting. These misconceptions are reexamined using longitudinal research. Implications for family life educators and researchers are discussed.

Karen R. Blaisure & Julie M. Koivunen

ABSTRACT: Many couples face changing gender roles, balancing paid work and family life, and conflict over decision making. This paper reviews research on relationship equality that family life educators can incorporate into existing couples education programs. Informed by feminist and gender perspectives, five aspects of equality are highlighted: consequences of inequality, benefits of equality, definitions of equality, models of equality-based relationships, and steps in developing equality. Recommendations about group facilitation, an outline of the content, and couple and group activities are provided.

Scott P. Gardner and Linda S. Howlett

ABSTRACT: Traditionally, intervention programs addressing serious social issues ranging from crime to family violence, have focused on the individual or on the community as the intervention target. Although evidence exists linking many of our significant social ills to marital distress, the marital dyad is seldom the focus of interventions. After reviewing the literature surrounding the negative effects of marital distress on children, adults, families and communities, the authors explore the need for aiming more interventions at the marital dyad. Established and new approaches to marriage education are presented along with a review of supporting studies. The authors emphasize the need for primary prevention focused at the couple level highlighting a variety of new high school marriage education curricula. Finally, recommendations for agencies, practitioners, policy makers and researches are suggested.

Susan A. Carter & Michael Lane Morris and Priscilla W. Blanton

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to explore what couples preparing to make the transition to marriage believe about marriage and remarriage. Onehundred couples making the transition to marriage from two Tennessee counties were surveyed. Data analyses revealed that the sample possessed beliefs in a variety of myths about marriage and remarriage. Further analyses revealed no significant gender or marital status differences in beliefs about marriage and remarriage. Implications for future family life education research and practice are discussed.

Kathleen Dyer Ramos & Lynn Blinn-Pike

ABSTRACT: Sixty-seven undergraduate college students in a multicultural family course were surveyed to examine feelings that may impede the open discussion of racial or cultural diversity issues. Lack of awareness of racial or ethnic issues and fear of appearing to be racist were identified through a writing assignment as prevalent among the students in the sample. Shame of one's ethnic group and anger over unfair treatment were factors for smaller numbers of students but were intense for those who expressed them. Disownership (separation from or denial of prejudice) was acknowledged by very few students. Suggestions are offered for teaching about diversity in family science courses in such a way that emotions are used to enhance, rather than hinder, the learning process. Suggestions include acknowledging and validating feelings about diversity and exploring and confronting the assumptions on which the feelings are based.

Hilary A. Rose & Suzanne R. Smith

ABSTRACT: Because of a competitive academic job market, it is imperative that graduate students have guidelines for preparing job applications. Empirically based guidelines exist in other disciplines (e.g., Brems, Lampman, & Johnson, 1995), but none exist for positions in family science. Consequently, applications (n=26) for two positions in a department of human development were analysed for quality and completeness. A quarter of the applications (n = 7 or 27%) was coded as both complete and above-average quality. Another quarter of the applications (n = 6 or 23%) was above-average quality but failed to address the particulars of the position announcement. Based on the findings, guidelines were developed and are presented for students and new professionals in family science.

Mudita Rastogi, Jacki Fitzpatrick, Du Feng, & Lin Shi

ABSTRACT: The presence of international students and faculty in the social sciences is growing. These individuals face unique challenges in professional development (e.g., networking, acculturation), yet there are few resources to help them address such challenges. The purpose of this paper is to provide an orientation to important issues in the American university system and human development and family studies (HDFS) program. In addition, concrete advice based upon the literature and the authors' professional experiences is offered.

Randi B. Wolfe

ABSTRACT: An overview of three studies (n = 57) conducted as an empirical evaluation of a parent education program based on Re-evaluation Counseling theory is presented. Study I involved middle income, married mother (n = 25) randomly assigned to a treatment group or an equivalent no-treatment comparison group. Study II, a pretest-posttest design, involved low income, Black mothers (n = 14) associated with a family support center. Study III involved Head Start mothers (n = 18) assigned to a treatment group or an equivalent no-treatment comparison group. Pretests, posttests, and follow-up evaluations examined parental attitudes, parenting stress, and parenting practices. Across studies, significant effects suggest the program can reduce parenting-related stress, improve parental attitudes, and encourage authoritative parenting practices. Some effects tended to diminish over time. The program appears viable with mothers of various social status groups.

Kerry Kazura, Kristine Baber, & Mary Temke

ABSTRACT: Although the number of families with an incarcerated parent continues to increase, few programs address the needs of these parents and their children. The Family Connection Project, developed through a unique alliance among a family studies department, Cooperative Extension, and the Department of Corrections, demonstrates an innovative model for providing family support and helping maintain parent-child relationships despite incarceration. This article reviews the relevant research, details the conceptualization of the intervention program, including needs assessment and goal setting, and explores ethical and pragmatic issues involved in working with inmates and their families.

Dennis K. Orthner

ABSTRACT: The link between welfare theory, research, and practice were at one time more coherent than it is today. The author examines the evolution of theories underlying welfare recipiency and their impact on policy. Whereas at one time public welfare was used to assist families, today's theories place more importance on self-sufficiency. The public welfare system-guided by the principles of functionalism and psychoanalysis-followed the passage of the Social Security Act. Later reforms began when theories such as rational choice and human capital were adopted. Other shifts in theories followed. The current shift in the perception of welfare and in policy formation is only modestly supported by theory and research. If social theory, research, and practice are not reconciled, public policies and regulations will be radically out of sync with the realities of family poverty. The author urges researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to work together to develop a more comprehensive welfare reform agenda.

Gerald R. Adams

ABSTRACT: Constructive criticism of a published manuscript in Family science Review, Vol 2, pp. 249-266, has suggested possible inaccuracy in the reported data. An examination of these data revealed counting errors that have been corrected through a reconstruction of the data. Corrected tables are presented in this report along with an examination of the limitations in using the archival technique for the study of historical data in the documentation of departmental and faculty eminence in family science.

William H. Meredith

ABSTRACT: The preceding article, 'A Study of Departmental and Faculty Eminence in Family Science Reconsidered" by Gerald R. Adams is an attempt to correct errors found in an earlier version of his paper (Adams, Huston, Braeger, & Goff, 1989). This study attempts to evaluate departments objectively by determining first and second authorship based on frequency of authored publications listed in Social Science Citation Index (SSCI).  Authored publications, one indicator of eminence, included the number of book reviews, books in print, and journal articles. A second indicator (a measure of quality) was the number of times an author's article was cited by others. Adams' study, therefore, was an attempt to examine both quantity and quality of publications, and from that to rank the most productive and influential faculty in 30 family science departments. Previous studies have considered only articles with a family focus. The current article includes child development.

Gerald R. Adams

ABSTRACT: Professor Meredith and his associates have made important contributions to the study of the history of family science. Meredith's published reports, along with those by Burr and associates, provide important information in an accumulating sociology of knowledge regarding family science. In Meredith's work on the study of family science, measurement of productivity has been focused on specific journal publications. This work, by nature, is exclusionary and based on a personal preference for a given series of publication outlets. The technique recognizes publications without an estimate of impact. In Burr and associate's work, reputational data are obtained using an available, non-random sample. This technique is limited by subjective measurement and the sampling strategy employed. In contrast, the use of Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) provides a researcher with a much broader (but likewise not fully representative) journal source that offers the potential for examining productivity (frequency) and impact (citation history). I will not labor further on such advantages, given our methodology is detailed in both the original and revised manuscripts that are published in Family Science Review (FSR). However, one's choice of methodology should be based on interests, objectives, and methodological focus.

Karen S. Wampler

ABSTRACT: Research on the Couple Communication Program (CC) is summarized. This review is an update of earlier reviews by the author. Results of recent CC studies are consistent with earlier research which indicate that CC is effective in producing both short-term and long-term improvements in relationships satisfaction as well as short-term changes in communication behaviors. Difficulties in conducting outcome research and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Hyunsook Chung

ABSTRACT: Research on the marital relationship has been one of the most frequently studied areas of investigation in the family field. Yet, there have been many problems with the theory and empirical work in this area. This article is a critical review of this work, including both theoretical and empirical problems that typically have occurred with the previous research. Also included is a section on suggested modifications for future research in this area.

Harriet Watkins Giles & Jacquelyn Mize

ABSTRACT: Professional internships are hypothesized to benefit students by easing the transition from school to work setting through promoting vocational crystallization, lessening the reality shock associated with work-force entry, and affording greater employment opportunities. In recent years, many family and child development programs have incorporated a professional internship into the curriculum. This paper describes one such internship program and presents results of a survey of its graduates. Alumni ratings of internship adequacy were significantly correlated with overall satisfaction with training in the department, and alumni who affiliated themselves with the family and child profession rated the quality of their internships higher than alumni who did not associate themselves with the profession. Directions for future research are based on theoretical and empirical work regarding the value of internships for student development.

Lyle E. Larson

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to review the linkages between the religious factor and commitment to marriage. The nature and meaning of marital commitment is briefly discussed in the first section. Section two examines the research using religious affiliation as a predictor in explaining marital stability and satisfaction. Religious affiliation seems to be a significant influence in keeping marriages together. There is, however, increasing evidence that "affiliation" is a less elegant measure of the religious factor than actual participation in more conservative religious groups. The third section reviews the linkages between religious commitment (as indicated by religious attendance, measures of religiosity, and religious community) and commitment to marriage and family. Religious commitment is an apparent and quite consistent correlate of marital satisfaction and stability. The evidence, even so, is far from definitive. Several theoretical and methodological concerns in the use of the religious factor in research are raised. Suggestions are made for further research.

Elaine Shaw Sorensen

ABSTRACT: The review explores efforts to identify a relationship between religion and health, and then examines issues and implications for family health research and practice. First, studies that relate religiosity to individual physiological and psychosocial health are reviewed, highlighting the need for definition of terms and exploration of such issues as pain, healing, the meaning of religion, and the faith health connection within the family context. Second, theoretical considerations are offered, noting the need for definition of conepts and development of theoretical frameworks that include family science models. Finally, implications for research and practice in family sciences are presented. Emphasis is on the need for study from the family perspective, the need for observation of both healthy and ill populations within naturalistic family environments, the importance of qualitative data in such explorations, and the value of multidisciplinary approaches to research and therapy.

Thomas W. Roberts

ABSTRACT: This paper explores how a religious belief system could be considered an addiction in the same way alcohol and drugs are addictions. Various aspects of substance addiction are reviewed in terms of their implications for addiction as religious belief systems. A systems perspective of religious addictive families reveals that addictive families tend to have rigid communication patterns. In addition, religious addictive families tend to have an imbalance in the religious and secular rituals which may be expressed through family lift cycle transition dysfunctions. Treatment issues of religious addicts are multifaceted and represent a number of interdependent factors. Clinicians must view the religious addiction within the context which may extend beyond the family. The clinician views the religious addiction as symptomatic behavior which develops similarly to other family dysfunctions. In addition to reducing stress in the family life cycle, the clinician also may want to strengthen secular family rituals.

J. Robin Summers & Jo Lynn Cunningham

ABSTRACT: There are strong historical links between church and family. One of the most frequent manifestations of this link today is premarital counseling by clergy--the source of this experience for the majority of couples in the U.S.  Clergy are the most frequently used source for all personal and family counseling in this country, and premarital counseling constitutes a major portion of the total counseling done by clergy. Limited research has been done concerning the role of clergy as premarital counselors. However, there is evidence that clergy tend to be relatively poorly prepared for their role as premarital counselors, either through their formal educational background or through other means. Recommendations are made for family life educators, clergy counselors trained in other disciplines, and researchers to contribute to ameliorating the present deficiencies in practice and in the literature, and a model is proposed of improving effectiveness of clergy as premarital counselors.

J. Elizabeth Norrell

ABSTRACT: The minister's family provides a variety of complexities and possibilities for family scholars. This review covers many of the stresses felt by clergy and their families in terms of work and family conflict, specifically those relating to time, role, and behavior conflicts. Additionally, a model which is sensitive to individual differences between clergy families (using a systems approach) while allowing for differences between denominational beliefs and values (using Troeltschian model) is proposed.

Richard A. Hanson

ABSTRACT: Christian fundamentalism has emerged on the American scene with a powerful ideological message as well as with considerable political clout. In this paper, after a section defining Christian fundamentalism, the place of family within the fundamentalist consciousness is examined. As a pre-eminent symbol of social stability, protecting and enhancing the American family is a major goal of Christian fundamentalists. Factors delegitimizing the family are discussed along with gender roles, parent-child relations, the methodology of Christian fundamentalism, and social programs for families. The Christian fundamentalist agenda for the family is discussed along with the implications of fundamentalism for family science.

Roger L. Dudley & Margaret G. Dudley

ABSTRACT: Five studies are reviewed which explore relationships between religion and family life among members of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the United States and Canada. The tension between social learning and emancipation theories provide the basis for explaining the extent to which family practices influence the religious behavior of offspring. At the same time, intrinsic-extrinsic orientations to religion provide clues as to how religion influences family satisfaction. Studies on adolescent religious alienation, frequency of family worship, transmission of values, youth retention in the church, and marital satisfaction are reviewed within the theoretical framework outlined.

Max E. Stanton

ABSTRACT: The Hutterites represent one of the few cases in which an intentional religious group has survived as a long-term, multi-generational society. Strict communitarianism in the context of an agrarian colony (Bruderhof) is the central focus of the Hutteite pattern of living. The key factors in the successful preservation of the Hutterite Way have been the supportive commitment of the family unit to communal life and a deep, abiding sense of obligation to the religious principles upon which the foundation of a common ownership of goods and property (Guetergemeinschift) is based. The family is the central unit in this arrangement. The family is reinforced in its communal commitment through a network of intense and powerful mechanisms of socialization within the colony. This socialization process takes place within the context of a series of strictly controlled and monitored phases (cycles) of maturation from early infancy to adulthood. In this paper, I will discuss the interplay between the family and the five general phases of maturation within the overall context of colony life. Contemporary forces which are presenting challenges to the Hutterite Way forcing basic reassessment and redefinition of the role of the family in the community also will be discussed.

Bron B. Ingoldsby

ABSTRACT: This article is a review of Mormon belief and practice as it relates to family life. The principle of plural marriage is examined, followed by data on modern day practice in the areas of marriage, divorce, fertility, and family problems and strengths. Drawing heavily from religious sources, some conclusions about social change and accommodation are proposed.

James R. Huber

ABSTRACT: Do you sometimes feel like you've been a student forever? Have you wondered lately if you're getting the most our of your undergraduate education? Are you concerned about how you'll make the transition from being a student to being a professional? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you may be at high-risk for "schooliosis," a paralyzing condition which effects thousands of Family Science majors each year.

Gregory W. Brock and Jeanette D. Coufal

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this chapter is to provide family science majors with guidelines for writing and building an effective resume. First impressions count, and the case of applying for a position, your first impression is your resume. What your resume says and how it says it are both important. The resume usually is the most important factor in determining whether you get an interview. An effective resume, however, is not based on writing alone. Effective resumes are built over a long period of time. The process begins in the freshman year or even earlier.

J. Kenneth Davidson, Sr

ABSTRACT: The quest for voluntary certification has recently been described as a national pastime. In view of the proliferation of certification opportunities through professional societies as well as through technical and industrial organizations, the late twentieth century could well be remembered in the annuals of professionalization as the Age of Certification (Institute of Association Management Companies, 1986). The interest in family life education, however, is rooted in a much earlier era of cultural and social upheaval which occurred during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. At this time, many social and economic forces such as industrialization, urbanization, and mobilization resulted in significant changes in traditional family patterns. Consequently, concern for professional support of families emerged along with the development of
disciplines pertaining to the family. Professions such as home economics, sociology, psychology, health, psychiatry, and psychoanalysis were well in process by the early part of the twentieth century (Darling, 1987). But, despite the widespread interest in family life education, functional courses in marriage and family remained the exclusive purview of home economics for many years. The discipline of sociology, especially was concerned about risking its professional reputation by offering functional courses which were believed by some sociologists to avoid theoretical and/or research perspectives by taking a more applied approach to the subject matter. But, as student interest increased and as demand for credit hour production became increasingly stronger, departments of sociology began to offer functional marriage and family courses (Somerville, 1971).

Carolyn J. Love

ABSTRACT: The major focus of this article is the investigation of advancement criteria in non-academic careers for family professional. Five specific topics will be addressed: the increasing awareness of need for family scientists outside of academia, the kinds of expertise most in demand, motives of family science professionals, marketing family science, and family science career education. It's main target audience is family science professionals who are presently employed by non-academic institutions, are desiring employment in such institutions, and/or educating others about career opportunities in this arena. Emphasis will be placed on those individuals who have already acquired one or more non-academic positions in their career field.

Nelwyn B. Moore

ABSTRACT: The focus of this paper is the affective domain--that area of learning concerned with emotional, attitudinal or psychological issues (DeVito, 1986). The three domains of human learning are differentiated as Cognitive--mental or intellectual abilities; Psychomotor--neuromuscular coordination, muscular or motor skill, and/or manipulation of materials and objects; and Affective--values, attitudes, feelings, and emotional sets (Green, 1975). While the cognitive and psychomotor domains of learning are organized by increasing complexity, the affective one is organized by increasing internalization. The goal of all learning is to integrate these domains in a process that David Mace has described as "the long, long trail from information-giving to behavioral change" (1981:599). Further clarifying the concepts, Olson and Moss (1980) suggest that teaching about family life is within the cognitive domain while teaching for family living concerns the affective domain. Specifically, this paper will address the need for affective competencies in the training of family life educators. It will identify needed personal relationship competencies, the extent of their inclusion in professional preparation, as well as suggested program strategies. Finally, it will consider assessment as a tool to effect a better match of affectively competent individuals and the field of family life education.

Robert E. Keim and Barbara Kimes Myers

ABSTRACT: This review can be helpful not only for emerging students entering the professional ranks but for the seasoned professional as well. Occasionally someone will ask the established professional for suggested resources on a given topic. Often there are a vast pools of resources presently existing which are overlooked due to the lack of knowing them or not knowing of the resources which can guide a person to them. More precisely, the purposes of the article are: (1) To provide some principle resources to the professional and (2) To introduce the professional to specific reference guides and encyclopedias to assist them in locating other resources.

Richard C. Endsley, Marilyn R. Bradbard, and Greg Lang

ABSTRACT: Previous research has documented that investigators of parent-child (p-c) relations who publish either in Child Development (CD) or Journal of Marriage and the Family (JMF) are from essentially two different research communities that function in virtual isolation from each other. The present study attempted to test the hypothesis that the differences in methods used and age groups of subjects studied can be accounted for by meta-theoretical differences that derive from child specialists' closer links to the discipline of psychology and family specialists' closer links to the discipline of sociology. However, the results indicated that the two groups' conceptions of variable molarity and the sources of external causation were more notable for their similarities than their differences. Further, the groups differed on the frequency with which reciprocal interaction measures were employed, even though both have long held similar views about the importance of such assessments. Therefore, it was concluded that methodological and/or substantive traditions of their respective root discipline.

Roberta Magarrell

ABSTRACT: This paper is an attempt to begin identifying the literature that has had and is having the most influence in the family field. A random sample of members of the National Council on Family Relations was surveyed to determine which books and articles had the most influence. The responses indicated there is considerable diversity in what people view as the most influential literature in the field, and the patterns are different for different disciplines.

Robert L. Moxley and Douglas Bachtel

ABSTRACT: This article highlights the challenges associated with reviewing articles for professional journals in the social sciences. Topics explored include the importance of reviewers in the publication process, how reviewers are selected and their willingness to review. Suggestions on critiquing a paper such as (a) having its eventual publication in a journal as the goal and (b) taking a "state-of-the-art" perspective rather than a "how would I do this' approach also presented. Finally, the importance of spelling out the reasons regarding revision or rejection and the tendency of some reviewers to reject all papers are discussed.

Robert E. Keim and Deborah J. Cassidy

ABSTRACT: Family scientists have an effective way of working with people in the family and social services field that is qualitatively different than employees with other backgrounds. The family scientist should recognize these qualities in themselves as they seek to compete in the career areas outlined in this article. They bring a greater understanding, knowledge, and sensitivity to an individual's human predicament and family dynamics.

The article is written predominantly for students or graduates from bachelor's degree programs in family science or an equivalent degree. It also may be helpful for graduates from master's programs as a means to become more acquainted with other possible options within different client populations.

A broad overview of entry level positions in local community and local governmental agencies and organizations will be presented in this article. Other articles in this series should be consulted for positions in business and industry, in county and state cooperative extension programs, and in civil service positions connected with the federal government and the military services.

Sandra W. Smith and Thomas B. Holman

ABSTRACT: In this paper, we have made an effort to be very explicit about job titles, required competencies, and job descriptions of existing jobs for which a family scientist could qualify. Tables 1 and2 are tabulated listings of job openings which were announced through the placement center of a large western university over a two year period. The information was compiled from weekly employment information bulletins. In the bulletins, jobs for family science, psychology, sociology, social work, political science, and human development were listed along with jobs for such majors as English, languages, drama, speech, communication, advertising, broadcasting, humanities, police science and library science. This was a stroke of good fortune for our investigation, since the placements for these "generic" college degrees provided many possible options for family scientists. DelCampo (1989) says that a family science degree is like a "specialized liberal art degree." In agreement with this concept, we have identified all the generic job listings from the bulletins that were originally listed for liberal arts majors, but that require the specific skills and qualifications acquired by the typical family science undergraduate or graduate student. These job listings represent openings throughout the United States. Often they require a willingness relocate.

Barbara Vance

ABSTRACT: Just about everybody has had someone ask, "What are you going to be when you grow up?" When we were little kids, some of us said we were going to be cowboys or firemen or policemen or nurses. When we became adults we had to get serious about this business of what we were going to do when we "grew up." This business is sometimes called career planning. During childhood and maybe adolescence it's okay not to know what we are going to be when we grow up. Then lots of us go on to college and career planning becomes serious business.

Some of us have made a career choice that includes the family at its core. Some
of us want to work inside academia. Some of us want to work outside academia. But we want to focus on the family.

Is it possible to be a family professional and find fulfillment and satisfaction? Is it possible to make a decent living as a family professional? This article explores career possibilities for family professionals inside academia and outside academia.

Robert F. Stahmann and Joe Edgar Glenn

ABSTRACT: Marriage and family therapy (MFT) is the youngest and most rapidly growing of the mental health professions (American Psychological Association, 1986). MFT was formally acknowledged as a mental health discipline in 1978 when the United States Office of Health, Education and Welfare recognized the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education as the official accrediting body for MFT. "Marriage and family therapy means the process of providing professional psychotherapy to individuals, married couples, and family groups, either singly, or in groups...Marriage and family therapy includes individual, premarital, relationship, martial, divorce and family therapy, and is specialized mode of treatment for the purpose of resolving emotional disorders, modifying interpersonal and intrapersonal dysfunction and promoting mental health" (Utah Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing Act, 1987).

Jerald Mason

ABSTRACT: During the second half of the 20th century, the level of living for most American dramatically improved over the level enjoyed by their grandparents. By almost any standard used, most Americans today should be financially well off. However, there is a lot of data that indicates people are having serious problems managing their finances. Bankruptcies are at an all time high, so are mortgage foreclosures. Consumer debt is breaking records, while savings rates continue to decline. In spite of many government transfer programs, the number of Americans living in poverty is not that much better than it was 30 years ago, with many older Americans joining the poverty ranks. The divorce rate in America is high and researchers report that family financial problems usually play a key role in almost all separations. Most Americans' real income is much higher than it was one, two and especially three generations ago; so why all the financial problems.

Mick Coleman and Chrystal Barranti

ABSTRACT: As "the largest problem-solving educational system in the world" (Vines & Anderson, 1976), the mission of the Cooperative Extension Service is to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities through the application of research to daily economic, social, and environmental problems. The manner in which this mission if fulfilled makes Cooperative Extension a unique educational force, as indicated in the following characteristics (see Sanders, 1966a; U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1986).

Gary L. Bowen

ABSTRACT: Faced with decreased opportunities for employment in academe, there is an increasing trend toward nonacademic employment among doctoral-level graduates. This article examines the career prospects, issues, and obstacles for family science Ph.D.s outside of academe. Specific recommendations are offered for doctoral-level family science graduates as well as for faculty members and graduate departments for confronting this changing employment situation.

Erik E. Filsinger

ABSTRACT: During my academic career as a student and as a faculty member at the various professorial and administrative ranks, I had maintained the academic bias about the "dirty" world of business, its profit motive, and its lack of values, excepting, of course, the almighty buck. However, after making friends in the private sector- and becoming
somewhat more informed about the darker side of life in the Ivory Tower, I began to  reevaluate my own views of the private-public dichotomy. I also began to wonder what working in the private sector would be like.

Scott D. Wright & Donald A. Herrin

ABSTRACT: In this article we continue our discussion of the precursors to a Family Ecology by articulating the conceptual commonalities and differences that are found in the utilization of an ecological framework within the social and behavioral sciences. We then examine the implications of human ecology for an ecological study of the family. Finally, we identify and discuss four critical tenets for a Family Ecology which is offered as an alterative interdisciplinary approach to the complex study of family phenomena.

Larry L. Constantine

ABSTRACT: The theoretical limits to variation in the organizational interactional premises of family systems are investigated. A formal logic is applied to the elementary requirements of human systems in the abstract, independent of empirical issues. This leads to the conclusion that, with reasonable restrictions on the domain of application, only a finite series of fundamentally distinct family paradigms are possible. Beyond the four variants previously recognized (closed, random, open, and synchronous), an additional regime, representing a synthesis of "open" and "synchronous" systems, is hypothesized as necessary and sufficient to close the series and account for all possible mechanisms of regulation. Some characteristic features of this form of systemic organization and operation have been derived.

William H. Meredith & Douglas A. Abbott

ABSTRACT: The study of family issues has long been a topic of interest in the general disciplines of sociology, psychology, anthropology, home economics, psychiatry, education, and social work. In recent years, family studies, rather than being of tangential interest, has blossomed into an identifiable field of study in its own right (Task Force #5, 1987). Many sociologist identify themselves as family sociologists or family demographers. Even in psychology, where the traditional focus of attention has been intrapsychic, there is a greater recognition of the family context. In fact, in 1985 the APA established the division of "Family Psychology" and in 1987 a new professional journal by the same name was founded (Liddle, 1987). Family development also has been emerging as a force in the family field, and many scholars associated within these departments refer to themselves as as family scientists (Leigh, 1987). A new journal, started by the Family Discipline section of the National Council on Family Relations, called Family Science Review, was also established 1987.

 Randal D. Day, Donna S. Quick, Geoffrey K. Leigh, & Patrick C. McKenry

ABSTRACT: A review of undergraduate and graduate programs is presented to identify some of the similarities and differences in family science departments, especially in terms of structure, emphases, and admission criteria. In addition, the information provides a comparison for students, both in terms of departments and available options, as well as some of the issues facing students in making a decision of where to attend school. This analysis is not an attempt to make a comparison in terms of quality, but only in terms of structural and entrance criteria.

Bron B. Ingoldsby

ABSTRACT: Let me say from the outset that I am a loving and loyal member of the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). I joined while attending graduate school at the University of Georgia in 1977, and I have not missed an annual meeting since that time. NCFR is the professional home for family scientists and such, is worthy of our support and scrutiny. the purpose of this brief commentary is to provide a friendly critique of NCFE in the hopes of generating some discussion and to make a few suggestions toward some positive change.

William H. Meredith, PH.D

ABSTRACT: In recent  years, family life education has received increased emphasis in China. In the 1980s, a greater need has been seen for research on family issues as well as educating families about family life and parenting in particular. While the educational content presented in China has many similarities to that presented in America, one notable difference exits. In America, family education often is separated from other aspects of life, while in China family education is very much related to social issues, the welfare of society, general education, and Marxist philosophy. The Chinese believe that one aspect cannot be taught without the others. Therefore, family life education begins with a base of Marxist philosophy and presents the family in terms of its relationship and responsibility to society. Beyond this base, the content of family education in China includes much that is familiar to the West.

This article includes an examination of the extent to which family life is taught in the colleges and universities of Guangdong Province, Peoples of Republic of China In addition, a description is provided of the formal means of disseminating information to the public.

Guangdong Province is in the southeastern part of China, bordering Hong Kong and Macao. It has 62 million people and is considered to be China's most prosperous and westernized area. The capital of Guangdong Province is Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton) with a metropolitan population of 6.7 million people.