The author describes changes in the field of retardation over the last 30 years. Briefly addressed are shifts of care from institutions to communities, increased professionalism, greater emphasis on prevention, attention to emotional problems of mentally retarded persons, changes in terminology, and social changes (such as increased competition…

The article examines current opinions toward euthanasia of persons with mental retardation in light of the history of public and professional attitudes. It also discusses the rejection of euthanasia on moral and religious grounds, and notes the use of lifelong incarceration, based on eugenics principles, to accomplish similar ends. (DB)

Two responses to Hollander (EC 220 057) and the author's counter-response note similarities between "mercy killing" of people with mental retardation and deliberate abortion of the unborn, misuse of the history of eugenics, and a defense of the author's historical scholarship. (DB)

Reflections on the field of special education offer six ideas: (1) the value of science; (2) the continuing value of separate and special education for some students; (3) the continuing importance of prevention; (4) the importance of academic instruction; (5) the importance of social justice for the poor; and (6) a renewed emphasis on human…

Despite mixed signals from society and increasing economic pressures, the outlook for voluntarism is far from bleak. Although conventional wisdom holds that voluntarism declines during recessions and depressions, it has been strong during volatile periods in American history. The new volunteer finds the most personally suitable work. (MSE)

Three major, interrelated areas will be of concern to the humanities in higher education for at least the rest of this decade: economics, the student population, and teachers' professional image. Crises in the national economic situation will continue to have an impact on the humanities in the form of public disinterest and a lack of funding by…

A look back at the 1965 Moynihan report makes it apparent that the nation has experienced further social decline in the past three decades and that society is becoming inured to the trauma. It is encouraging that public discourse is beginning to acknowledge society's problems and look for solutions. (SLD)

Three demographic rates and the social reality they measure signify important, continuing changes in the Swedish family. As compared with the rest of the industrial world, the Swedish now have the lowest marriage rate, the highest non-marital cohabitation rate, and possibly the highest family dissolution rate. Contents of this article focus on the…

Legal issues concerning sexual harassment on the job are considered to aid administrators of colleges and universities. The concept of sexual harassment is examined from a historical perspective, and the development of legal thought and solutions for harassment in employment settings is delineated. The nature and extent of harassment have been…

The result of trips by American special educators to Italy in 1984 and 1986, this paper reviews laws, public policy, and events in Italy's recent history leading to widespread desegregation of the disabled special schools and other institutions. The review of legislation focuses on National Law 517 (1977) with such specified strategies for pupil…

The following topics are discussed in this special issue: affirmative action for blacks; the bases of contemporary affirmative action attitudes; reverse discrimination cases; how the media and the public react to affirmative action; and affirmative action strategies for the future. (RM)

Three factors central to the development of modern attitudes toward childhood are awareness that children and adults differ, the definition of women's primary role as maternal, and the increasingly complex demands made on adults. The combined pressures of feminism and the accessibility of broadcast media are changing these factors significantly.…

Social studies must educate students to be socially responsible, civically competent persons. In addition to encouraging civic literacy, civic values, and civic skill, teachers need to help students develop civic-mindedness. The objective of the NCSS' National Issues Forum in the Classroom Project is to develop students' civic intelligence. (RM)

This commentary offers 10 critical characterizations of contemporary special education and 5 major implications for the future of the field. It urges special educators to turn their attention unambiguously and forcefully to empirical research to generate reliable common knowledge of effective instruction of students with disabilities. (Author/CR)

This examination of political and social attitudes of American youth in the 1980's begins with a comparison of the youth of the 1960's with the youth of the 1970's. Results from four major studies are presented and a composite picture of youth in the eighties is presented. Findings show that the personal and professional values of American…