A different head? Parental agency and early intervention

This paper considers the agency and identity of parents of children with Down syndrome within early intervention. It draws upon semi‐structured, conversational interviews with nine parents and the reflections of one of the authors upon their experiences within early intervention programmes. It considers how representations of the deficit model permeate the participation of the parent in this process. It explores the multiple identities of the parents and links these to notions of parental participation within the current policy context of early intervention in England. The notion of parental agency is an implicit driver within the current early intervention programmes, yet it appears to be compromised by the nature of those programmes.     

Family formation among women in the U.S. military: Evidence from the nLSY

Although female employment is associated with lower levels of completed fertility in the civilian world, we find family formation rates among U.S. military women to be comparatively high. We compare enlisted women with civilian women using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (N = 3,547), the only data set to measure simultaneously the nuptiality and fertility of both populations. Using propensity score matching, we show that the fertility effect derives primarily from early marriage in the military, a surprisingly “family‐friendly” institution. This shows that specific organizational and economic incentives in a working environment may offset the more widespread contemporary social and economic factors that otherwise depress marriage and fertility.     

Distance between you and your home: the estrangement of postcolonial writing

This essay argues that the writing of postcolonial migrant authors has been critically deployed in such a way that it appears to vindicate a long standing romantic ideology of artistic detachment. In order to present an alternative account, the field of Nigerian anglophone fiction is examined here and the experiences of two aspiring authors offered as case‐studies. It is argued that their experience, and the wider circumstances of Nigerian cultural production, demonstrate that postcolonial migrant writing is not an expression of ‘aesthetic alienation’, but of the estrangement that Marx recognised as a subjective consequence of capitalism.     

A complex solution to a complicated problem? Early messages from the national evaluation of the Children's Fund Prevention Programme

This paper is concerned with exploring the research and policy base that underpinned the development of the Children's Fund Prevention Programme. It discusses how the initiative developed, how it is being evaluated and how it is now contributing to the new policy agenda around prevention services. Early findings are discussed highlighting some of the challenges local projects have to manage around partnership working, participation of children and young people in the programme, and the embedding of prevention strategies in local practice. Finally the conclusion sets the Children's Fund in forthcoming central government policy activity and examines how the evaluation can best inform the development of collaborative preventative services to children and their families.     

Helping Uganda's street children

With the help of theoretical paradigms of social behavior, we use both qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate a recent government‐initiated program for relocating and resettling orphans and street children in Uganda. We first describe this program, which we have called the Model for Orphan Resettlement and Education (MORE). MORE is an inventive approach in the battle against the problem of orphaned children living on the streets of urban centers in Africa. The government of Uganda has developed this model to effectively educate and re‐socialize children who have been living on the streets of the capital city, Kampala. We then analyze this program, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects, and suggest ways it can be adapted to be more effective and sustainable in meeting the needs of Uganda as well as other sub‐Saharan African countries that face similar problems.     

Ethical Guidelines for Study Abroad: Can We Transform Ugly Americans into Engaged Global Citizens?

Study abroad has become a common experience for American socialwork students. However, there is little guidance for facilitationof such courses in an international context. As a result, thereis a risk that students and facilitators can perpetuate theprivileged and ‘Ugly American’ image. Providingguidance for prevention of such mistakes, the authors presenta conceptual model for international learning, based on an ethicalframework founded on personal values and supported by traditionalethical principles and values. Included are the pillars of socialjustice and human rights, community capacity, dignity and worthof the person, self-determination, boundaries, competence, facilitatedlearning in a safe environment and integrity. Finally, consciousness-raisingas professionals, respectful engagement in context, and interculturalcompetence are discussed.     

Young Fathers: An Analysis of Risk Behaviors and Service Needs

One hundred and twenty eight young fathers participated in an assessment of risk behaviors and service needs prior to entering a program for young fathers. Of this group, 73% were unemployed, 69% were school drop-outs, almost 40% had substance abuse problems, close to 30% had committed a felony, and less than half had declared paternity for their children. The majority of these young fathers desired employment services and educational/vocational training. Despite their risk behaviors, young fathers did not want substance abuse counseling, child support services, or help in obtaining a GED. There appears to be a discrepancy between the problems and needs, and the services which these young fathers requested. Many young fathers believed employment would be a panacea to all their problems. These findings suggest that more attention should be given to examining these issues in programs targeting young fathers. Services such as preventive health and mental health should be considered prior to the final goals of employment and establishment of paternity.     

Symbolic Interaction Theory and Architecture

Architectural sociology is receiving renewed attention but still remains a neglected area of investigation. As a major theoretical perspective within sociology, symbolic interaction helps us understand how the designed physical environment and the self are intertwined, with one potentially influencing and finding expression in the other; how architecture contains and communicates our shared symbols; and how we assign agency to some of our designed physical environment, which then invites in a different kind of self‐reflection. This article discusses numerous instances of symbolic interaction theory–architecture connections, with applied examples showing how symbolic interactionists and architects can collaborate on projects to the benefit of each, and to the benefit of humanity.