Reviews

Raising Parents: Attachment, Parenting and Child Safety: Patricia McKinsey‐Crittenden The Child's Voice in Family Therapy: A Systemic Perspective: Gammer, Carole, WW Norton & Company Inc.     

Independent comment on Audio‐visual and Print Materials

Book reviewed in this article: Narrative Therapy: An Introduction for Counsellors Martin Payne Family Therapy: The Field's Past, Present and Possible Futures Volume 1 Case Studies in Couple and Family Therapy: Systemic and Cognitive Perspectives Dattilio, F. M. (Ed.) Child‐Focused Practice: A Collaborative Systemic Approach Jim Wilson BabyTalk: The Pioneering Book that will Change Childcare Forever Sally Ward 201 Questions to Ask Your Kids Pepper Schwartz Teen Pregnancy and Parenting — Social and Ethical Issues James Wong and David Checkland (Eds) The Fundamentals of Family Mediation J. M. Haynes and S. Charlesworth Family Group Conferences in Child Welfare Peter Marsh and Gill Crow Single Session Family Staging: Breaking Family Spells E. Zawidowski     

Book Reviews

“Poppa” Psychology: The Role of Fathers in Children's Mental Well‐Being. Vicky Phares. Black Men and Divorce. Erma Jean Lawson & Aaron Thompson. Crossing the Line: Interracial Couples in the South. Robert P. McNamara, Maria Tempenis, & Beth Walton. Indicators of Children's Well‐Being. Robert M. Hauser, Brett V. Brown, & William R. Prosser (Eds.). The Scientific Basis of Child Custody Decisions. Robert M. Galatzer‐Levy & Louis Kraus (Eds.). The Third Job: Employed Couples' Management of Household Work Contradictions. Gurjeet K. Gill. Children's Adjustment to Adoption: Developmental and Clinical Issues. David M. Brodzinsky, Daniel W. Smith, & Anne B. Brodzinsky. Till Death Do Us Part: A Multicultural Anthology on Marriage. Sandra Lee Browning & R. Robin Miller (Eds.). Taking Time: Parental Leave Policy and Corporate Culture. Mindy Fried. Battered Women, Children, and Welfare Reform: The Ties that Bind. Ruth A. Brandwein (Ed.). Women, Families, and HIV/AIDS: A Sociological Perspective on the Epidemic in America. Carole A. Campbell. The Changing Family in Comparative Perspective: Asia and the United States. Karen Oppenheim Mason, Noriko O. Tsuya, & Minja Kim Choe (Eds.). Intimacy: Personal Relationships in Modern Societies. Lynn Jamieson. Relationships as Developmental Contexts. W. Andrew Collins & Brett Laursen (Eds.). Attachment Theory and Close Relationships. Jeffry A. Simpson & W. Steven Rholes (Eds.). The Custody Wars: Why Children Are Losing the Legal Battle and What We Can Do About It. Mary Ann Mason. Book Review Editor's note: Copies of the book, The Postdivorce Family The Postdivorce Family: Children, Parenting, and Society. Ross A. Thompson & Paul R. Amato (Eds.). Marriage, Divorce, and Children's Adjustment (2nd ed.). Robert E. Emery. The Postdivorce Family: Children, Parenting, and Society. Ross A. Thompson & Paul R. Amato (Eds.). Undercurrents of Divorce. Shelley Day Sclater & Christine Piper (Eds.). Problem Solving in Families: Research and Practice. Samuel Vuchinich.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Allen, G., & Martin, C. G. Intimacy: Sensitivity, sex and the art of love .
Hoffman, L. W., & Nye, F. I. Working Mothers .
Peck, Bruce B. A Family Therapy Notebook .
Ravich, Robert A., & Wyden, Barbara. Predictable pairing .
Smith, Robert L., & Alexander, Ann M. Counseling Couples In Groups .
Sugar, Max, (Ed.). The Adolescent In Group and Family Therapy .     

Independent comment on Audiovisual and Print Materials

Book reviewed in this article: Collaborative Practice in Psychology and Therapy Ed. David A. Paré and Glenn Larner Approaches to Qualitative Research: A Reader on Theory and Practice. Sharlene Nagy Hesse‐Biber and Patricia Leavy Technology in Counselling and Psychotherapy: A Practitioner's Guide. S. Goss & K. Anthony (Eds) Gene—Environment Processes in Social Behaviours and Relationships. K. Deater‐Deckard & S.A. Petrill (Eds) Bodywise: A Family Group Program for Child Obesity. Kristine Moxley, Simone Abbott, Lisa Clement, Ben Schueler, Vanessa Richardson. Child & Adolescent Development Unit, Blue Mountains District Anzac Memorial Hospital, Wentworth Area Health Service Mates Traits Cards.; Conceived by Russell Deal, illustrated by Mat Jones, and edited by Karen Masman Our Scrapbook of Strengths.; St Luke's Innovative Resources and Family Action Centre Stones… have Feelings Too!; Conceived by Russell Deal, illustrated by Ray Bowler, and edited by Karen Masman Toddler Taming. Rev. edn. Christopher Green Toddler Taming Tips. Christopher Green Great Ideas for (Tired) Parents. Michael Grose One Step Ahead: Raising 3–12 Year Olds. Rev. edn. Michael Grose Every Kid (Parenting Your 5 to 12 Year Old). Brent Waters and Liz Kennedy Exploring the Unsaid: Creativity, Risks, and Dilemmas in Working Cross‐Culturally. Barry Mason & Alice Sawyerr (Eds) Family Health Social Work Practice. F. K. Yuen, G. J. Skibinski, & J.T. Pardeck (Eds) Social Work in the Health Field, 2nd edn. L.A. Fort Cowles     

Book Reviews

Transitions to Adulthood in a Changing Economy: No Work, No Family, No Future? Alan Booth, Ann C. Crouter, & Michael J. Shanahan (Eds.). All Our Families: New Policies for a New Century. Mary Ann Mason, Arlene Skolnick, & Stephen D. Sugarman (Eds.). The Family On the Threshold of the 21st Century: Trends and Implications. Solly Dreman (Ed.). Stepfamilies: Love, Marriage, and Parenting in the First Decade. James H. Bray & John Kelly. Coping with Divorce, Single Parenting, and Remarriage: A Risk and Resiliency Perspective. E. Mavis Hetherington (Ed.). Resiliency in Native American and Immigrant Families. Hamilton I. McCubbin, Elizabeth A. Thompson, Anne I. Thompson, & Julie E. Fromer (Eds.). Marriage in Men's Lives. Steven L. Nock.     

Book Reviews

Changing Families, Changing Responsibilities: Family Obligations Following Divorce and Remarriage. Lawrence H. Ganong & Marilyn Coleman. Marriages in Russia: Couples During the Economic Transition. Dana Vannoy, Natalia Rimashevskaya, Lisa Cubbins, Marina Malysheva, Elena Meshterkina, & Marina Pisklakova. Parenting in Stepfamilies: Social Attitudes, Parental Perceptions and Parenting Behavior in Hong Kong. Gladys Lan Tak Lam‐Chan. Understanding Domestic Homicide. Neil Websdale. Handbook of Marriage and the Family (2nd ed.) Marvin B. Sussman, Suzanne K. Steinmetz, & Gary W. Peterson (Eds.). Violence in Homes and Communities: Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment. Thomas P. Gullotta & Sandra J. McElhaney (Eds.). Family: The Making of an Idea, an Institution, and a Controversy in American Culture. Betty G. Farrell.     

Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: The Sacred Willow: Four Generations in the Life of a Vietnamese Family Duong Van Mai Elliott, Cross‐Cultural Practice With Couples and Families Phillip Brown and John Shalett (Eds) Context: A Magazine for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice The Answer Within: A Family in Therapy Re‐Examined Moshe Lang and Peter McCallum. Time Bombs in Families and How to Survive Them Averil Earnshaw. Relationships into the New Millennium 1999: Papers to Celebrate 50 years of Relationships Australia Gail Bateman and D. Lamont. Narrative Counseling in Schools: Powerful and Brief: Practical Skills for Counselors J. Winslade And G. Monk. You Just Don't Listen: A Parent's Guide to Improving Communication Suzie Hayman.     

Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Bidge's Mob: Written and illustrated by Gaye Dell Creative Family Therapy Techniques: Play, Art, and Expressive Activities to Engage Children in Family Sessions: Editor: Liana Lowenstein Essential Skills in Family Therapy, from the first interview to termination: JoEllen Patterson, Lee Williams, Todd M. Edwards, Larry Chamow, Claudia Grauf‐Grounds Multi‐Family Therapy: Concepts and Techniques: Eia Asen, Michael Scholz     

Gender and physical punishment: the filipino children's experience

This paper reports selected findings from a doctoral dissertation on Filipino children's attitudes towards physical punishment. The findings of this research stem from a survey of 270 grade‐six students in Iloilo, Philippines. The results indicated that the majority (61.1%) had experienced physical punishment at home. The most common punishment children received was pinching (74.5%), followed by beatings (49.7%). The chi‐square analysis revealed that more boys than girls were physically punished (p < 0.05). Mothers were found to be the most frequent users of physical punishment. The prevalence of physical punishment at home may be attributed to Philippine law which ‘allows parents to physically punish their children as may be necessary for the formation of his good character’ as reflected in Article 45 of Presidential Decree No. 603, known as ‘The Child and Youth Welfare Code’ (Article 45, PD 603). The tendency of Filipino parents to punish sons more harshly than their daughters could be explained in relation to how boys and girls are regarded in society. Boys are expected to be tough and brave. By administering harsher discipline, parents may believe they are moulding their sons to be strong and to prepare them to be future pillars of society. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Independent comment on Audio‐visual and Print Materials

Book reviewed in this article: Family Therapy beyond Postmodernism Carmel Flaskas Fatherhood for Gay Men: An Emotional and Practical Guide to Becoming a Gay Dad Kevin McGarry Challenging Oppression: A Critical Social Work Approach Bob Mullaly The Black Grapevine — Aboriginal Activism and the Stolen Generations Linda Briskman Angry Young Men: How Parents, Teachers, and Counselors can Help ‘Bad Boys’ become Good Men Aaron Kipnis Family Empowerment Intervention: An Innovative Service for High‐Risk Youths and Their Families Richard Dembo and James Schmeidler Try and Make Me! Simple Strategies that Turn off the Tantrums and Create Cooperation Ray Levy & Bill O'Hanlon, with Tyler Norris Goode Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Kleinian Tradition edited by Stanley Ruszcynki and Sue Johnson Psychic Hooks and Bolts: Psychoanalytic Work with Children under Five and their Families Maria Emilia Pozzi The Importance of Sibling Relationships in Psychoanalysis Prophecy Coles Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Independent Tradition Sue Johnson and Stanley Ruszcynski (Eds) Reverie and Interpretation, Sensing Something Human Thomas Ogden Tales of Solutions: A Collection of Hope‐Inspiring Stories Insoo Kim Berg and Yvonne Dolan The Harveys and Other Stories: Invitations to Curiosity. Jennifer Lehmann     

Book Reviews

Family Ties and Aging. Ingrid Arnet Connidis. Halving It All: How Equally Shared Parenting Works. Francine M. Deutsch. The Price of Motherhood: Why the Most Important Job in the World Is Still the Least Valued. Ann Crittenden. Public Vows: A History of Marriage and the Nation. Nancy F. Cott. Care Work: Gender, Labor and the Welfare State. Madonna Harrington Meyer, ed. Working Families: The Transformation of the American Home. Rosanna Hertz and Nancy L. Marshall, eds. From Culture Wars to Common Ground: Religion and the American Family Debate (2nd ed). Don S. Browning, Bonnie J. Miller‐McLemore, Pamela D. Couture, K. Brynolf Lyon, and Robert M. Franklin. Gay and Lesbian Parenting. Deborah F. Glazer and Jack Drescher (eds.). Remaking the Godly Marriage: Gender Negotiation in Evangelical Families. John P. Bartkowski.     

Classic Book Reviews: The Past Revived

Middletown: A Study in Modern American Culture. R. S. Lynd & H. M. Lynd. Predicting Success or Failure in Marriage. E. W. Burgess & L. S. Cottrell, Jr. Family, Socialization and Interaction Process. T. Parsons & R. F. Bales. The Social Psychology of Groups. J. W. Thibaut & H. H. Kelley. Husbands and Wives. Dynamics of Married Living. R. O. Blood & D. M. Wolfe. World Revolution and Family Patterns. W. J. Goode. Blue‐Collar Marriage. M. Komarovsky. Emerging Conceptual Frameworks in Family Analysis. F. I. Nye & F. M. Berardo (Eds.). Family and Social Network(2nd ed.). E. Bott. The Future of Marriage. J. S. Bernard. All Our Kin: Strategies for Survival in a Black Community. C. B. Stack. Children of the Great Depression. G. H. Elder. Inside the Family: Toward a Theory of Family Process. D. Kantor & W. Lehr. A Treatise on the Family. G. S. Becker.     

Independent comment on Audio‐visual and Print Materials

Book reviewed in this article: The Heroic Client: Doing Client‐Directed, Outcome‐Informed Therapy: B. L. Duncan and S. D. Miller Don't Let Her See Me Cry: A Mother's Story: H. Barnacle The Adolescent Psyche: Jungian and Winnocottian Perspectives: Richard Frankel Behaviour Exchange Systems Training: A Program for Parents Stressed by Adolescent Substance Abuse: A. Blyth, J. Bamberg, J. Toumbourou Feminine Sensuality: Alcira Mariam Alizade Family Therapy Concepts, Process and Practice: Alan Carr Stepfamilies: History, Research, and Policy: Irene Levin and Marvin B. Sussman (Eds) André Green at the Squiggle Foundation: Jan Abram (Ed.) Hand Me Down Blues: How to Stop Depression from Spreading in Families: M.D. Yapko Tales from Family Therapy: Life Changing Clinical Experiences: Frank N. Thomas and Thorana S. Nelson (Eds).     

Family Rituals in Low‐Income African American Families at Risk for Trauma Exposure and Associations with Toddlers’ Regulation of Distress

This study included 75 mother‐father‐toddler triadic low‐income families. Mothers and fathers reported separately on their own posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and family rituals while children were rated by an independent observer during an emotionally eliciting task on key indicators of regulation of distress. Regression analyses supported a significant association between key dimensions of family rituals and Toddlers’ regulation of distress: occurrence, continuation, and spirituality. Effect sizes of tested relationships were strong, ranging from 25% to 36% of variance in children's distress explained. Family rituals are a salient intervention target in families and specifically help support children's developing emotion regulation competencies. Certain dimensions of family rituals may be particularly relevant to African American families, considering cultural resiliency factors. Clinical implications are discussed.     

Independent comment on Audio‐visual and Print Materials

Book reviewed in this article: Psychology and Psychiatry: Integrating Medical Practice Jeannette Milgrom, Graham D. Burrows (Eds.) Systhema — Opinion, Exchange, Discussions. Edition 3: 2000 — Disability, Illness, Death. Institut für Familientherapie Weinheim/Germany Memory in Dispute Valerie Sinason (Ed.) Women Who Sexually Abuse Children: From Research to Clinical Practice Jacqui Saradjian in association with Helgar Hanks Culture and Mental Health: A Southern African View Leslie Swartz The Learning about Myself (LAMS) Program for At‐Risk Parents: Learning from the Past — Changing the Future Verna Rickard, Binghamton The Learning about Myself (LAMS) Program for At‐Risk Parents: Handbook for Group Participants Verna Rickard, Binghamton Family Counselling and Therapy 3rd edn Arthur M. Horne (Ed.) Beyond Belief: Psychotherapy and Religion Samuel Stein (Ed.) Couples and the Tao of Congruence Barbara Jo Brothers (Ed.) Lesbians and Gays in Couples and Families: A Handbook for Therapists Joan Laird, Robert‐Jay Green (Eds)     

Postdivorce Relationships in Families and Children's Psychosocial Adjustment

Divorced mothers and their school-aged children in 50 single-mother families and 37 stepfather families reported on mothers' ex-partner relationships, children's relationships with both parents, and children's well-being. A 2 (family structure) × 2 (gender) multivariate analysis of variance revealed a main effect of gender: Mothers with sons report higher levels of ex-partner relationship satisfaction. An interaction effect was also found: Boys in single-mother families report more acceptance and fewer conflicts than boys in stepfather families. Multiple regression analysis revealed that mother–ex-partner relationships are associated with children's problem behavior, whereas child–nonresidential father relationships are associated with positive aspects of children's well-being. The results indicate that family structure itself is not associated with child adjustment. What matters most is the quality of family relationships.     

Independent comment on Audio-visual and Print Materials

Book reviewed in this article: Sheila's Book: A Shared Journey Through Madness Sheila Harvey (Ed.) Taunton, Somerset, Somerset Virtual College NHS Publications Case Book for Integrating Family Therapy: An Ecosystemic Approach S. H. McDaniel, D. Lusterman and C. Philpot Treating Difficult Couples: Helping Clients with Coexisting Mental and Relationship Disorders. Douglas K. Snyder & Mark A. Whisman (Eds) Art Therapy Practice: Innovative Approaches with Diverse Populations. Harriet Wadeson Nurses and Families: A Guide to Family Assessment and Intervention, 3rd edn. Lorraine M. Wright & Maureen Leahey Family Nursing Interviewing Skills: How to Engage, Assess, Intervene and Terminate with Families. Lorraine M. Wright & Maureen Leahey Calgary Family Assessment Model: How to Apply in Clinical Practice Systems and Meaning: Consulting in Organisations. Gitte Haslebo and Kit Sanne Nielsen, transl. by Dorte Herholdt Silver Pioneering Paths in the Study of Families: The Lives and Careers of Family Scholars. Suzanne K. Steinmetz and Gary W. Peterson (Eds) Emotions and the Family. Richard A. Fabes (Ed.)     

The Value of Vocalizing: 10‐Month‐Olds' Vocal Usage Relates to Language Outcomes at 15 Months

The interaction between infant's communicative competence and responsiveness of caregivers facilitates the transition from prelinguistic to linguistic communication. It is thus important to know how infants' communicative behavior changes in relation to different caregiver responses; furthermore, how infants' modification of communicative behavior relates to language outcomes. We investigated 39 10‐month‐old infants' communication as a function of mothers' attention and responses and the relationship to language outcomes at 15 months. We elicited infants' communicative behavior in three conditions: (1) joint attention: Mothers were visually attending and responding to infants' attention and interest; (2) available: Mothers were visually attending to infants, but not responding contingently to infants' attention and interest; (3) unavailable: Mothers were not attending to infants nor responding to them. Infants vocalized more when mothers attended and responded to them (conditions 1 and 2) than when mothers did not (condition 3), but infants' gesture and gesture‐vocal production did not differ across conditions. Furthermore, infants' production of a higher proportion of vocalizations in the unavailable condition relative to the joint attention condition correlated with, and predicted, infants' language scores at 15 months. Thus, infants who appear to be aware of the social effects of vocalizations may learn words better.