Marsha L. Rehm

Effective Teaching Strategies for Middle School Learners in Multicultural, Multilingual Classrooms.

Middle school teachers, like all educators around the nation, are encountering classrooms comprised of an unprecedented number of students from various cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. Due to the influx of immigrants entering the U.S. educational system, the number of students who speak a native language other than English has grown dramatically and will account for about 40% of the school-age population by 2040 (Berliner & Biddle, 1995). If current trends continue, almost half of our nations school population will consist of members from nonCaucasian cultural groups by the year 2020 (U.S. Bureau of Census, 2000). The reality of a multicultural, multilingual student population dictates that educators, 87% of whom are Caucasian, must be prepared to interact and work with students who do not share the same language, culture, or national origin (Crandall, Jaramillo, Olsen, & Peyton, 2001; National Education Association, 2002).

Adolescent Health, Stress and Life Satisfaction: The Paradox of Indulgent Parenting

A survey of adolescents aged 15 to 16 years was used to examine the relationship between their perceptions of indulgent parenting and adolescent weight status to overall satisfaction with life, as associated with adolescent perceptions of body image, health and stress. In addition, perceptions of parental indulgence were examined in terms of their association with adolescent eating behaviours and health. The results revealed a paradox related to indulgent parenting, with both positive and negative outcomes for adolescents. Structural equation analyses showed that parental indulgence was not only related to lower stress and higher life satisfaction, but also to unhealthy eating behaviours. Path analysis indicated that both positive and negative eating outcomes for adolescents were related to parental indulgence. This research has many implications for both parent and adolescent health education, focusing on parenting styles, stress and healthy lifestyles.

An Aesthetic Approach to Virtual Community

Because virtual communities increasingly influence thought and practice in everyday life, family and consumer sciences professionals need to understand their nature and consequences. This article proposes that an aesthetic approach, defined as the ability to synthesize diverse elements into reciprocal relationships and coherent wholes, can help us create and interpret virtual community experiences. Three aesthetic qualities can be applied to virtual communities: Diversity contributes unique ideas and vitality, unity emphasizes shared themes and goals, and reciprocity leads to mutually supportive and dynamic relationships among community participants. Family and consumer sciences professionals should draw on aesthetic concepts to enhance the diversity of membership and ideas, promote common purpose, facilitate opportunities for imaginative relationships, and conduct research with regard to virtual communities.

The Role of Parental Indulgence and Economic Stress in Life Satisfaction: Differential Perceptions of Parents and Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences between adolescents and parents in their perceptions of parental indulgence, stress (economic and life), and life satisfaction. In addition, using the conceptual frameworks of family ecosystems and developmental theory, the relationships between the three types of parental indulgence (soft structure, overnurturance, and giving too much), economic stress, life stress, and life satisfaction were examined for parents and adolescent children. Findings indicated that adolescents perceived higher levels of stress and soft structure as compared to their parents, whereas parents perceived higher levels of economic stress. Additionally, each type of parental indulgence affected parent and adolescent life stress and life satisfaction differently. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Parents’ perspectives on indulgence: remembered experiences and meanings when they were adolescents and as current parents of adolescents

ABSTRACT This study used interviews to question 29 parents of adolescents regarding their perceptions of parental indulgence they had experienced and practice now as parents. The study was based on socialization and symbolic interactionism theories with qualitative analysis techniques being used to identify thematic findings. Four parents had not been indulged and did not believe they indulged their children. Four parents perceived they had been indulged themselves and have continued the same pattern with their adolescents. The majority of parents (21) had not been indulged. However, they now indulged their adolescents in a number of ways: lack of rules and daily health routines, few expectations to contribute to household chores, giving in to demands, and solving problems for adolescents rather than allowing them to take responsibility. Supported by symbolic interactionism, results indicate that many parents interpret indulgence as a form of love and a way to support their adolescents’.

Adolescent Eating Behavior: The Role of Indulgent Parenting

This qualitative study was set in the context of two evolving concomitant social issues: concerns with adolescent eating and health behaviors and parental indulgence. The research purpose was to gain a deeper and more insightful understanding of the family food ecosystem, parental modeling, and parental indulgence and their potential relationship to adolescent health and well-being. In all, 29 parents of 25 high school students were interviewed, and the resulting narrative data were analyzed for themes. Results showed parental concerns about weight and health, modeling of unhealthy eating habits, and soft structure as a prevalent form of parental indulgence. This research has implications for social workers, family service providers, and health providers who work with communities in developing nutrition and health education programs and policies that enhance parental knowledge, limit the effects of parental indulgence, and address adolescent decision-making skills related to their own health. Recommendations are provided to improve services for families.

Exploring How Parental Divorce Provides Meaning to Personal Development and Interpersonal Experiences among Emerging Adult Women

Abstract Purpose This study examined how parental divorce during emerging adulthood gives meaning to emerging adults’ developmental stage and interpersonal relationships. Methodology/approach The participant sample consisted of 15 females from the Southeastern United States who were between the ages of 18 and 25 (M = 21.5). Qualitative methods were utilized, with a transcendental phenomenological research methodology specifically applied. Interviews were conducted focusing on perceptions of the divorce experience in relation to important aspects of emerging adulthood, namely developmental experiences and interpersonal relationships, primarily intimate partner and dating experiences. NVivo was used to allow a “bottom-up” design, emergent design, and interpretive inquiry for data analysis. Findings Two major themes emerged from the data: (1) developmental stage facilitates insight into the divorce process and (2) parental divorce leads to contemplating and reconceptualizing perceptions of self and interpersonal relationships. Research limitations/implications Results are relevant to researchers, parents, and practitioners as divorce is examined with a developmental lens. Findings suggest that the meaning and impact of parental divorce are distinct for emerging adult children, characterized by awareness and personal reflection. Implications for parenting and practice are provided.