Describes recommendations of the Commission on Child and Family Welfare report, "Parenting Our Children: In the Best Interest of the Nation." Recommendations include using mandatory mediation to help resolve parenting disputes, coordinating with community resources to provide parents with a full-range of support. increasing community…

Notes the complex and emotive nature of surrogate motherhood. Describes a surrogacy arrangement that was apparently based initially on a clear agreement and partnership, but developed into a disputed adoption application when the surrogate mother became dissatisfied with contact arrangements. (HTH)

Presents humorous multiple-choice questions focusing on things parents should consider about colleges, such as what to look for on-campus visits (number of empty beer cans instead of number of books in the library) and how many days college will guarantee the student will stay at the school instead of percentage of students who pursue advanced…

Examines the influence of hormonal factors during pregnancy on maternal responsiveness in infrahuman animals and human beings. Argues that it is likely that maternal behavior in humans has a physiological basis. (PCB)

Describes author's experience of being accused of the sexual abuse of his daughter, focusing on his emotional responses and his efforts to become a real father when permitted visitation. Describes his own counseling experience and the support of his fiancee. (ABL)

Notes that many children who experience abuse, family disruption, or poverty reach adulthood with a strong commitment to family life. Questions whether changes in American families are indicators of pathology, deterioration, and instability; and asks how dysfunctional families transmit commitment to the concept of family to succeeding generations.…

Examines how social and economic changes that have taken place in America since 1900 have affected fatherhood. Suggests that the ideologies surrounding men's parenting has changed, but that fathers' behavior toward their children has not changed significantly. Considers consequences of asynchrony between culture and conduct of fatherhood to be…

Gives advice for the beginning teacher by narrating the experiences of one teacher's childhood and explaining how these experiences shaped the teacher's professional outlook. Concentrates on one of the teacher's memories of her visits to her father in an extended care facility. (HB)

Discusses conceptual model highlighting renegotiation of relationships and redefinition of boundaries in divorced family system. Considers issues of intimacy and power boundary redefinition between parents and children and between former spouses regarding grief and self-efficacy. Suggests boundaries should be formal, distant, and rigid. (CRR)

Discusses intervention programs for pregnant teens. Examines the pregnancy's effects on the adolescent, her child, and her mother. Suggests that programs should consider: (1) the interaction of children's and mothers' lives; (2) the coordination of services for both mothers and children; (3) the three generations involved; and (4) the lack of need…

Contends that marital dissolution may inspire motivation for geographic and psychological distance, and when this occurs, there are serious implications for child custody determinations. Addresses complexities that arise in several realms when one parent desires to relocate and implications this may have for what transpires in therapy. (Author/NB)

Discusses how adoption responds to ancient questions about origins. Maintains that one's identity hinges on actual relationships more than on pedigree and genes. Discusses reasons for informing a child about his or her adoption. Suggests that adoption is a constructive process involving too many worrisome warnings and anxiety-raising advice by the…

Suggests that the idea of maturation of the innocent through the tutelage of an experienced adult has been a mainstay in literature. Discusses how each of the parents from the novels "American Pastoral,""The House Gun," and "Disgrace" protests in a private or public way in order to reclaim his/her child. (RS)

Healthy brain development relies on the quality of early relationships. Supportive relationships and parent-child conversations buffer stress; they contribute to the cognitive and emotional stimulation that developing brains need; and the quality of parent-child conversation is important even before young children are good conversational partners.…

The nation's schools and libraries have come up with shelves full of innovative twists on the basic book club. This article offers a few of these fun and educational ideas that can be adapted for everyone from young beginning readers to teens. Teachers and librarians describe book club activities that they have found successful in: bringing…