Socializing Children About Family Structure: Perspectives of Lesbian and Gay Adoptive Parents

Despite increasing numbers of lesbian- and gay- (LG-) parent families, little research on LG-adoptive-parent families has examined parental beliefs and perceptions related to discussing their sexual minority status with their children. This study assessed 266 LG adoptive parents (160 lesbian mothers, 106 gay fathers) from the Modern Adoptive Families (MAF) study, a nationwide survey (2012–2013) of adoptive parents' pre- and post-placement experiences. A cultural socialization lens provided the framework for examining LG parenting beliefs and practices. Two measurement scales were developed to examine parents' perceptions and self-efficacy related to socializing their child about being in a sexual-minority-parent family. Results indicate that LG parents endorse the importance of unique socialization practices and generally feel confident engaging in these practices. Parent education, transracial adoption, endorsement of racial socialization, and socialization self-efficacy were positively associated with endorsement of socialization practices. Excellent reliability suggests the 2 scales have the potential of being psychometrically sound instruments with which to measure parental endorsement and related self-efficacy of socialization practices for families headed by sexual minority parents. Findings contribute to a deeper understanding of socialization and communication patterns in LG-headed families, especially those formed through adoption. Research, policy, and practice implications are discussed.     

Young People's Images of Self and Others

In an analysis of the validity of popular stereotypes of youthful conflict with adult society, based upon surveys carried out in Melbourne, the attitudes of young people are compared with the attitudes which they impute to their friends, parents and teachers. The results indicate that young people are influenced in their estimate of the friends' attitudes by the popular stereotype of young people which may in turn, influence their own attitudes. This interpretation explains the distribution of responses along the conservative-innovative continuum, except in regard to opposition to de-humanization where the respondents are more likely to attribute innovative responses to themselves than to their friends. Most young people perceive their interpersonal environment to be supportive of their own attitudes.     

The unequal impact of Covid-19 on the lives and rights of the children of modern slavery survivors,children in exploitation and children at risk of entering exploitation

This article discusses the unequal impact of Covid-19 on the lives of the children of survivors of modern slavery, child victims of exploitation and children at risk of exploitation in the UK. It draws on research that has analysed the risks and impacts of Covid-19 on victims and survivors of modern slavery. It explores how pandemic responses may have hindered these children's rights to education, food, safety, development and participation and representation in legal processes. It suggests that the pandemic should be used as an impetus to address inequalities that existed pre-Covid-19 and those that have been exacerbated by it.     

Birth Mothers Now Birth Grandmothers: Intergenerational Relationships in Open Adoptions

Abstract

Despite growing trends in openness between birth and adoptive families, little is known about what happens when adopted children become parents and birth mothers become birth grandmothers. These new and unique relationships between birth mothers and their grandchildren were examined through intensive case study analyses of in-depth interviews with birth mothers who placed infants for adoption more than 25?years ago (N?=?11). Findings revealed enjoyment in their role as grandmothers and emphasized the significant role the adult adoptee (parent) played in influencing communication with their grandchild and families’ incorporation of technology-mediated contact to overcome geographic barriers. Implications for practitioners, policy makers, and researchers are discussed.     

The Effects of Population on the Depletion of Fresh Water

The most immediate environmental problem in major regions of the world is probably the scarcity of fresh water for agriculture. Insufficiency and irregularity of rainfall require the use of stored water. Both major compartments for fresh water storage—glaciers and groundwater—are being depleted rapidly and at similar rates. Drawdown of groundwater is primarily the result of irrigation required to supply the food needs of large populations. Glacier melt is an effect of global warming chiefly caused by high levels of industrial production and transport. However, an important fraction of glacier melt is caused by food chain emissions (agricultural greenhouse gases and black carbon or cooking soot). In toto, the loss of water resulting from food and agriculture may be significantly greater than that resulting from industrial production and transport, the factors more commonly cited. This suggests that the role of population, closely linked to food and agriculture, is central to the depletion of fresh water.     

An mHealth Approach to Extend a Brief Intervention for Adolescent Alcohol Use and Suicidal Behavior: Qualitative Analyses of Adolescent and Parent Feedback

Abstract

Mobile health (mHealth) tools that supplement inpatient psychiatric care can maintain and enhance intervention effects following hospitalization. Adolescents hospitalized following a suicidal event represent a vulnerable population who could greatly benefit from such an mHealth intervention. In specific, suicidal adolescents who drink alcohol are in need of robust interventions that address the bidirectional relationship between alcohol use and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, because it puts them at especially high risk for suicide upon discharge. The purpose of this study was to conduct qualitative interviews to gather feedback to improve a brief alcohol intervention provided to suicidal adolescents during psychiatric hospitalization, and to develop a mHealth tool to extend care after discharge. Participants, eight adolescents and their parents, identified the need for a smartphone application to deliver intervention content to adolescents and parents during the posthospitalization period. Adolescents sought support in meeting alcohol- and mood-related goals, while parents desired general resources as well as tips for conversations with their adolescent about mood and alcohol use.     

The One‐Child Policy in Shanghai: Acceptance and Internalization

China's one‐child policy is a major example of social engineering and the subject of human rights concerns. Given the significance of the policy, it is important to ascertain the attitudes of Chinese citizens. We conducted interviews in 2003 with residents of Shanghai who were of childbearing age either at the policy's inception or at the time of the interview. Our respondents, who were generally well educated, did not perceive the policy as extraordinary when it was introduced; resignation to one more intrusive government regulation was mixed with understanding and even approval of the policy. People talked about the political and social context, demographic concerns, family economic strategy, and the results of government‐engineered gender equality. Among the young interviewees, the context has changed from a population striving to get by under tight government control to a much richer population that is upwardly mobile and perceives their local government to be basically beneficial. The one‐child family is considered normal; few are still concerned with the policy per se, while others see it as unnecessary. The one‐child policy seems to reflect Shanghainese current preferences; its status as a legal requirement may be largely irrelevant.     

Family Trajectories and Terminations in Conditional Cash Transfer Programs: The Case of Chile's Ethical Family Wage Program

ABSTRACT

On an international scale, conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs have rapidly expanded. Since their boom in the 1990s newer modalities have emerged, incorporating some innovative components. The following study sought to examine one particular CCT program heralded as innovative due to its psychosocial and socio employment accompaniment components: Chile's Ethical Family Wage program. Utilizing administrative data from the Ministry of Social Development this exploratory study sought to examine family trajectories in the program with a particular focus on those families who were terminated from the program due to not meeting conditionalities. Findings from the study indicate that the program deviates sharply from its theoretical implementation. Furthermore, the probabilities of program termination increased in those families headed by younger adults, female and single-headed households, households with higher levels of education as well as larger families. However, a greater number of children decreased the probabilities of program termination as was homeownership. Implications of the findings for policy and practice are discussed.