Positive Development in a Disorderly World

Adolescents need to develop competencies to navigate an adult world that is complex and disorderly: a world of heterogeneous macro‐ to microecological systems containing contradictions and catch‐22s. This exploratory essay examines adolescents' conscious processes of developing pertinent competencies for pursuing goals (agency) in these kinds of “real‐world” settings. It draws on qualitative longitudinal research on youth's experiences working on arts and community projects in which they encounter the irregular dynamics of complex human systems. I describe how youth develop “strategic thinking”: executive skills for formulating strategies based on forecasting dynamics in navigating these systems. I also describe how youth learn to manage emotions (in self and others) that arise in these real‐world transactions and how they develop motivation that sustains their work toward goals. Even as we learn more about the biological hardware of development, I argue that we must study youth's conscious, proactive processes in developing their own “software” to navigate complex and disorderly human worlds.     

The how‐to's of governance

Governing for Results: A Director's Guide to Good Governance, by Mel D. Gill. Victoria, B.C.: Trafford Publishing, 2005.180 pp., $37.50 (Can.) paper.     

Assessment and collaboration: Key elements in comprehensive and cohesive transition planning

The relatively recent study of adolescent transitions into adulthood has compiled little consensus on exemplary practices or theoretical models. Despite this, transition planning teams are mandated to develop plans that result in successful achievement of adult roles. This task is predicated upon choosing appropriate assessments, and assembling them into a comprehensive and cohesive transition profile through collaboration among transition team members. States have provided broad guidelines or frameworks but few offer detailed listings of domains to address in the planning process. This article addresses some of the major issues team members face and identifies strategies for their successful resolution.     

The effect of marriage on fertility intentions: an approximation with cross-sectional data

"Cross-sectional data are used to create a quasi-longitudinal design to explore the effect of marriage upon fertility intentions. It is found that as a result of marriage, men are likely to become more inclined towards fertility while women become less so. These results are in part due to differential values regarding marriage and the family." The data are for 800 individuals who were students at a university in the western United States in 1974.     

Punjabi orchard farmers: an immigrant enclave in rural California

Examination of the adaptation patterns of Punjabi Sikh orchard farmers in rural California provides further evidence of ways in which strong ethnic enclaves help to promote rapid economic self-sufficiency among immigrant groups. The discussion emphasizes the need to consider not only the cultural traditions of group members, but also the historical context of immigration and the immigrants' perceptions of their particular situation. The Punjabi case indicates, too, how the 1965 Immigration Act, with its preference for family reunification, has promoted the formation of immigrant enclave.     

Readers' responses ... medical noncompliance

The Second Opinion staff invited a number of its readers who are physicians to respond to our recent Case Stories section on medical noncompliance, which included a case story by Kevin Coleman and commentary and overview by Arthur W. Frank (Second Opinion 17, no. 3 [January 1992]). Our thanks to those who shared their reflections, a number of which have been excerpted here.     

Gaining Competitive Advantages: Analyzing the Gap between Expectations and Perceptions of Service Quality

Universities have obligations to fulfill the needs of two customers –students and industry. Students must be intellectually prepared to meet the challenges of a highly competitive global environment. One approach in meeting this challenge is to focus on `Service Quality.' The purpose of this paper is to review the relevant research literature and theorize several propositions about SERVQUAL in the higher educational environment. The research considers the gap between expected services and perceived services and how these dimensions of SERVQUAL may be utilized to improve service quality and customer satisfaction.     

HIV Risk and the Freedom to Act Without Thinking: Alcohol Use and Sexual Behavior Among Adolescents on Probation

Through in-depth phenomenological interviews, 18 adolescents currently on probation describe how they make decisions about using alcohol and engaging in sexual behaviors. Two main threads emerge: they value spontaneity in sex and believe that they act spontaneously in regard to both sex and alcohol. At the same time, they describe being highly influenced by parents and peers. The researchers discuss the potential implications of these and other findings for HIV prevention and intervention.