Noting that amid the enormous change inherent in early adolescence, many parents fail to distinguish between behaviors signaling healthy growth and those indicating troubled development, this book uses the stories of 12 representative adolescents from various locations in the United States and existing research literature to provide guidance on…

This paper discusses some misconceptions about Asian American elementary school and secondary school students, and describes ways of building effective communication with the families of these students. The essay begins by noting the stereotyping of Asian American students as "whiz kids" and discussing the damaging effect of that…

Contents of this paper focus on various ideas about caring and on the genesis of caring in the human individual. In the first section the concept of caring is analyzed from four perspectives: (1) the conception of caring as being biologically determined, (2) sociocultural and transcendental conceptions of caring, (3) cognitive, affective, and…

Catharine Macaulay's "Letters on Education" (1790) examined education's effect on the character, morals, and knowledge needed for citizens of both genders. Macaulay's work is described within a sociopolitical context, examining her views on human nature, educated individuals, and moral education and discussing implementation of her…

Summarizes current theories about children's peer relationships and suggests practices recommended by teachers for parents concerned about their children's social development. Asserts that not having friends can be frustrating and painful for young children. Explores parental influences and gives steps parents can take to enhance children's social…

Describes as advances of the Hauser-Cram et al. study increasing basic information about children with disabilities and their families, showing a combined organismic-contextual developmental perspective, and operationalizing tenets of developmental psychopathology. Considers as limitations: the role of etiology, the need to reconceptualize…

The context of Japanese childrearing has changed during the postwar era. Noting that "new" observations concerning childrearing and socialization may not actually be new, this volume establishes continuity with past researchers by integrating the past half-century of cross-cultural research on Japanese childrearing and socialization,…

Maintaining that profound transformations over the last 30 years in the way children look and act are connected to many troubling social problems, this book demonstrates how anticulturalism--the belief that children are autonomous, independent individuals discovering their own reality and that development occurs best independent of or in…

This book uses the playground as a reference point for a phenomenological examination of risk in children's lives and the development of a pedagogy of risk. Chapter 1 defines risk and discusses the use of anecdotes as a methodological device. Chapter 2 examines how considering risk as challenge and adventure leads to questions concerning adults'…

Analyzes the failure of three approaches currently used to explain educational under-achievement by working class children. Recommends study of distinctions between educational content and process, material and cultural insulation, and teacher-student-parent interactions. Strategy suggested is small group instruction emphasizing affective learning…

The concept of reproductive strategy is applied to the study of childhood experience and interpersonal development to develop an evolutionary theory of socialization. The relationship between this theory and prevailing theories of socialization is considered, and research consistent with the evolutionary theory is reviewed. Discusses directions…

Noting the increasing challenges faced by families today, this book explores demographic, social and economic, and technological issues affecting the dynamics of and planning process for family well-being. Chapters in the book are: (1) "Expanding Choice in Long Term Planning for Family Futures" (Barbara H. Settles); (2) "Recent Demographic Change:…

More American adolescent girls today are prey to depression, eating disorders, addictions, and suicide attempts than ever before. This book is an exploration of the underlying causes of this disturbing phenomena, structured around therapy case studies of various teenage girls. The position is taken that despite the women's movement, adolescent…

Because Japanese society has traditionally emphasized the group rather than the individual, less research has been done to understand how Japanese culture conceptualizes the individual and how that individual develops within the society. This paper focuses on the individual in Japanese society. Following an introduction (Section I), Section II…

Written to meet four objectives, this document (1) reviews the use of media in parent education, (2) evaluates the format and content of existing approaches, (3) formulates a philosophy to guide the development of new materials, and (4) makes specific recommendations regarding future parent education materials. Specific recommendations concerning…