This synthesis of 30 qualitative studies examined young people's views on pornography related to their sexual health. Synthesis revealed pornography use is considered normal by young people, reinforced by its usefulness as a tool for pleasure, information, and instruction in the absence of sufficient sexuality education. However, youth can become…

Asking hard questions is just that--hard. But if we are truly committed to teaching for social justice, we need to encourage our children to find as many points of view as they can, and to ask questions we may never be able to answer, knowing that education for citizenship lies in the process of thinking critically about the many sides of a…

Processes of normalizing assumptions and values have been the subjects of theoretical framing and critique for several decades now. Critique has often been tied to issues of environmental sustainability and social justice. Now, in an era of global warming, there is a rising concern that the results of normalizing of present values could be…

The United Nations has placed a high priority on human rights education. Building on the foundation laid by the UN Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004), the UN General Assembly launched the World Programme for Human Rights Education in December 2004 "as a global initiative, structured in consecutive phases, to advance the…

Describes a study of the impact of the first year of television on an Eskimo community by comparing the residents' responses with those of inhabitants of a community without television. Responses indicate a social impact on specific attitudes, but an overall retention of basic Eskimo values. (JMF)

Discusses the impact of television on Cree Indians within the context of their culture. Traditional conceptions about communication cause the Cree to be susceptible to TV, take it literally, idolize the superhero characters, read special messages into it concerning behavior requirements, and to be concerned about its potential harm to children.…

This paper explores how the people of Owen Sound, Ontario viewed the various regions of their city. Presents maps showing perceptions of positive and negative regions. Includes examples of citizens' characterizations of these regions, showing social attitudes and values. (JDH)

Drug education programs that rely on an abstinence based philosophy neglect, and may even contribute to, the potentially adverse consequences experienced by young people who already engage in this potentially health-compromising behaviour. A predominant focus of drug research during the initial wave of rising cannabis use by young people in the…

This paper examines correlative distinctions between the normative and factual senses of rights and the formal and substantive senses of equality of opportunity. Although women frequently have access to formal equality of opportunity, they seldom enjoy substantive equality. The role of education as an agent of reform is explored. (Author/JAZ)

Describes the impact of the expanded availability of television as a result of the Anik I satellite transmission system on the Canadian Eskimo (adults have an increased knowledge of national and international affairs). Indicates critical social and psychological effects on Eskimo children while adults have retained traditional social customs and…

Uses the journalists' tool of "who,""what,""when,""where," and "why" to examine the nature of Canadian citizenship. Notes, in particular, the tradition of a "loyal subject" to the crown. Although largely symbolic, this tradition has engendered a respect for and obedience to the law of the…

Contends that conservative critiques of education and proposals for reform are similar in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. Describes and analyzes New Right criticisms of education and conservative efforts to promote business values and market-based economics. (CFR)

A study examined the relationship between social and material values and attitudes toward television advertising. Using the Rokeach Value Survey Form E, 157 Canadian college students ranked the 18 terminal and 18 instrumental values in order of their importance as guiding principles for life. The values were classified as either material, social,…

Examines the effect of situational variations of ethnic identity and their relationship to measures of psychosocial adjustment. Among French Canadian university students, English-speaking students who identified strongly with their first language group but exhibited a high degree of inter-situational variation experienced more stress, depression,…