The Practice of Religion in Australia

Nominally most Australians are christians, but fewer than one-third regularly attend church. Many privileges flow to christian churches and religious procedures are still imposed in some circumstances. It is commonly assumed that everyone has a religion, though it is doubtful whether the majority have any real belief. Australia should re-examine the place of religion in society.     

Correlates of physical activity in a community sample of older adults in Appalachia

Although much has been learned about the global determinants of physical activity in adults, there has been a lack of specific focus on gender, age, and urban/rural differences. In this church-based community sample of Appalachian adults (N = 1,239), the primary correlates of physical activity included age, gender, obesity, and self-efficacy. Overall, 42% of all participants and 31% of adults age 65 years or older met recommended guidelines for physical activity, which suggests that most participants do not engage in adequate levels of physical activity. Of participants who met physical activity guidelines, the most common modes of moderate and vigorous activity were walking briskly or uphill, heavy housework or gardening, light strength training, and biking. These particular activities that focus on building self-efficacy might be viable targets for intervention among older adults in rural communities.     

Factor Structure and Reliability of the Advantages of Children Scale with Latino and Caucasian Male Emerging Adults

Abstract

Based on the value of children theory, the purpose of this study was to develop and establish the factor structure and internal consistency reliability of the Advantages of Children Scale (ACS), a self-report measure of a modification of Hoffman and Hoffman’s value scheme of the psychological needs children meet for their parents. Data were collected from 685 emerging adult men identifying as Latino or Caucasian who were not parents. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis found a good fit for the six hypothesized subscales on the ACS: connectedness, expansion of self, family heritage, adult status and social identity, development of self, and family maintenance. We discuss potential applications of the measure in research and practice.     

The Boundaries of Professionalization: The Case of North American Funeral Direction

This article examines the relationship between occupational and individual professionalization through the example of funeral direction. It is based upon an ethnographic study of an accredited mortuary science program at a community college. It compares and contrasts the socialization of aspiring funeral directors in that program to previous case studies of socialization into other self-styled professions. This analysis suggests that the success of occupational socialization in fostering a personal sense of professional distinction depends not so much on an occupation's professional prestige but upon its definitive claim to a distinctive occupational jurisdiction.     

Regions: An Illusive Concept

Books reviewed in this article: Tan, Joseph L.H. (ed.), AFTA in the Changing International Economy Menon, Jayant, Adjusting Towards AFTA: The Dynamics of Trade in ASEAN Bora, Bijit and Findlay, Christopher (eds), Regional Integration and the Asia-Pacific Lawrence, Robert Z., Regionalism, Multilateralism, and Deeper Integration     

Fieldwork in Industrial Settings: Opportunities,Rewards, and Dilemmas

World of work field placements offer rich learning opportunities both for students interested in direct service and those pursuing planning, administration, and research specializations. Social work skills have become highly relevant to corporations and unions as they have expanded their function into the social welfare arena. Selection of appropriate sites requires an ability to make an assessment of organizational readiness. Careful selection of students and clarity of social work function at the field site contribute to successful outcome. In addition, back-up support from the school is essential to the smooth development of these innovative and stimulating placement opportunities.