Paternalism and the young

A critical analysis is made of the concept of paternalism, and the manner in which protective measures on behalf of children often result in a denial of rights to the young. The article challenges the assumption that parents invariably know the needs of their own children, and accordingly act on their behalf. Similar reservations are made as to the capacity of official caretakers acting as agents of the state, to replace parents who are at fault. Conversely, it is suggested that children often have greater capabilities to function independently than is generally acknowledged. However, attention is also drawn to the defects in the arguments of some child-rights advocates. In sum, the article argues for the need to seek out legitimate paternalistic practices where genuinely needed, where sufficient consideration has been given to the capacities of the young for an independent life, and where sufficient sensitivity has been shown to their aspirations.     

Foreign-born professionals in the United States

This paper is an abridged version of a longer study by the same name published by the Center for Immigration Studies, 1815 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006.     

Reducing attrition in physical activity programs for older adults

This study investigated attrition in a 6-month physical activity intervention for older adults. The program was based on the social-cognitive theory incorporating self-efficacy factors. Two hundred forty-eight insufficiently active 65- to 74-year-olds were recruited from the Australian federal electoral roll. The intervention comprised walking and strength and flexibility exercises and was conducted in 30 local neighborhoods where the participants resided. Characteristics of individuals lost to attrition (n = 86, 35%) were compared with those of program completers (n = 162, 65%). Logistic-regression analysis showed that those lost to attrition came from areas of lower socioeconomic status, were overweight and less physically active, and had lower walking self-efficacy scores and higher loneliness scores. The results suggest that early assessment of these characteristics should be undertaken to identify individuals at risk of attrition, to improve retention, and to avoid potential bias.     

Assessing families and other client systems in community-based programmes: development of the CALF

Programmes providing services to children and families often face the challenge of assessing not only the child referred, but also the child’s family system and its individual members. Recognizing that household/family members can cause, contribute to or affect a child’s problems requires that human service agencies utilize assessment tools capable of assessing family members across the lifespan. The literature references many assessment tools used by clinical programmes in mental‐health settings that are not well suited to use in social service agencies with multidisciplinary staff at different skill levels. As a response to this dilemma, the authors have developed the Collaborative Assessment of Life Functioning (CALF), a user‐friendly tool that assesses various areas of life functioning. Based on Maslow’s motivation theory, person‐in‐environment and systems theories, the CALF can be used with various client systems. This paper describes the development of the tool, its purpose and use, the importance of assessment tools in the helping process and considerations for agencies wishing to use an assessment tool like the CALF. The authors also discuss the applicability of the CALF in human services and social service agency settings and with diverse client populations.