This article focuses on symbolic interactionism and its utility when applied to adoptive families... more This article focuses on symbolic interactionism and its utility when applied to adoptive families. We argue that Mead's (1934, 1956) theoretical concepts of self, generalized other, and shared meaning are underutilized tools for exploring prospective parents' decision of whether to adopt, the transition to adoptive parenthood, and subsequent family adjustment over time. We also advocate for the extension of salience to generalized other, in order to better understand and reflect prospective parents' perspectives of and experiences with adoption. We chose symbolic interactionism as a single theoretical framework to unify the extant adoption literature; in doing so, a conceptual model was developed to better illustrate the theoretical principles as they inform decision making and action taking across the transition to adoptive family life. The model posits six specific propositions that warrant further empirical exploration to test and refine its predictive utility. Adoption in the United States has a long and dynamic history as a method of family formation and has expanded dramatically over the 20th century. Adoption is generally defined
Family theory provides a critical foundation for learning in family science education, but learni... more Family theory provides a critical foundation for learning in family science education, but learning about theories can be perceived as difficult and for students. Previous scholarship on strategies for teaching family theories has not included the use of music. Analysis of music could help understanding and application of theoretical content to relationships. This article presents an innovative activity for teaching family theories to major and non-major undergraduates in an introductory family science course. The activity's goal is to engage students in a learning process that supports their abilities to make meaningful connections to the content. Results of a quasi-experimental evaluation suggest that this music activity facilitated student engagement and application. Students who participated in the exercise found family theories more meaningful to their studies and personal lives than did students who did not participate.
Journal of Comparative Family Studies, Apr 1, 2009
Demographic shifts among the aging population of the United States call for a re-examination of o... more Demographic shifts among the aging population of the United States call for a re-examination of our understanding of the needs of these individuals, especially when race, ethnicity, family composition, and country of origin are considered in the discourse. This paper examines some of the implications of the rapid increase in racial and ethnic diversity among the older population in the United States for delivering culturally competent care through community based service providers. As much of our population ages, families across cultures and classes will increasingly need to be involved with specialized service providers. An ecological approach to this issue posits that elders, their families, and communities are closely intertwined, and need to be examined in relationship to one another. Issues such as race, ethnicity and culture of origin are part of this mix. Nevertheless, the family field, in particular, has been slow in examining the intersections between family, community supports and diversity. This paper highlights this phenomenon in order to spur an interest among scholars and practitioners in expanding this topic. Only with adequate scholarship and discussion will the appropriate delivery of much needed services to these culturally diverse elders and their families become a central component of the family field.
Date Presented 04/04/19 Existing research suggests that better outcomes of children in temporary ... more Date Presented 04/04/19 Existing research suggests that better outcomes of children in temporary placements occur when proxy caregivers exhibit commitment toward children in their care and presence of a consistent relationship exists. The purpose of this poster is to present findings of a mixed-methodology study exploring the perceptions of RTF caregivers’ in their occupation. Primary Author and Speaker: Amy Lynch Additional Authors and Speakers: Bethany Hepp
Demographic shifts among the aging population of the United States call for a re-examination of o... more Demographic shifts among the aging population of the United States call for a re-examination of our understanding of the needs of these individuals, especially when race, ethnicity, family composition, and country of origin are considered in the discourse. This paper examines some of the implications of the rapid increase in racial and ethnic diversity among the older population in the United States for delivering culturally competent care through community based service providers. As much of our population ages, families across cultures and classes will increasingly need to be involved with specialized service providers. An ecological approach to this issue posits that elders, their families, and communities are closely intertwined, and need to be examined in relationship to one another. Issues such as race, ethnicity and culture of origin are part of this mix. Nevertheless, the family field, in particular, has been slow in examining the intersections between family, community supp...
This article focuses on symbolic interactionism and its utility when applied to adoptive families... more This article focuses on symbolic interactionism and its utility when applied to adoptive families. We argue that Mead's (1934, 1956) theoretical concepts of self, generalized other, and shared meaning are underutilized tools for exploring prospective parents' decision of whether to adopt, the transition to adoptive parenthood, and subsequent family adjustment over time. We also advocate for the extension of salience to generalized other, in order to better understand and reflect prospective parents' perspectives of and experiences with adoption. We chose symbolic interactionism as a single theoretical framework to unify the extant adoption literature; in doing so, a conceptual model was developed to better illustrate the theoretical principles as they inform decision making and action taking across the transition to adoptive family life. The model posits six specific propositions that warrant further empirical exploration to test and refine its predictive utility.
Family theory provides a critical foundation for learning in family science education, but learni... more Family theory provides a critical foundation for learning in family science education, but learning about theories can be perceived as difficult and for students. Previous scholarship on strategies for teaching family theories has not included the use of music. Analysis of music could help understanding and application of theoretical content to relationships. This article presents an innovative activity for teaching family theories to major and non-major undergraduates in an introductory family science course. The activity's goal is to engage students in a learning process that supports their abilities to make meaningful connections to the content. Results of a quasi-experimental evaluation suggest that this music activity facilitated student engagement and application. Students who participated in the exercise found family theories more meaningful to their studies and personal lives than did students who did not participate.
red-hot needles being inserted." The thumbs may be spared as they are less exposed to light but w... more red-hot needles being inserted." The thumbs may be spared as they are less exposed to light but were affected in one patient. Both recovered completely and in the autumn one resumed tetracycline therapy without mishap.
This paper explores the recent advent of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) into distance learni... more This paper explores the recent advent of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) into distance learning and higher education. Distance education itself has been effectively employed in family science and other social science curriculums, but the web-enhanced, innovative technologies that MOOCs provide have the potential to advance family science and family life education even further. This paper will explore the challenges that MOOCs offer in regard to attrition and retention, pedagogy, academic standards and cost, as well as consider the opportunities for enhancing family science curriculums and family life education on a global scale. A process for a faculty considering whether or not the MOOC technology is appropriate for a family science department is proposed.
This article focuses on symbolic interactionism and its utility when applied to adoptive families... more This article focuses on symbolic interactionism and its utility when applied to adoptive families. We argue that Mead's (1934, 1956) theoretical concepts of self, generalized other, and shared meaning are underutilized tools for exploring prospective parents' decision of whether to adopt, the transition to adoptive parenthood, and subsequent family adjustment over time. We also advocate for the extension of salience to generalized other, in order to better understand and reflect prospective parents' perspectives of and experiences with adoption. We chose symbolic interactionism as a single theoretical framework to unify the extant adoption literature; in doing so, a conceptual model was developed to better illustrate the theoretical principles as they inform decision making and action taking across the transition to adoptive family life. The model posits six specific propositions that warrant further empirical exploration to test and refine its predictive utility. Adoption in the United States has a long and dynamic history as a method of family formation and has expanded dramatically over the 20th century. Adoption is generally defined
Family theory provides a critical foundation for learning in family science education, but learni... more Family theory provides a critical foundation for learning in family science education, but learning about theories can be perceived as difficult and for students. Previous scholarship on strategies for teaching family theories has not included the use of music. Analysis of music could help understanding and application of theoretical content to relationships. This article presents an innovative activity for teaching family theories to major and non-major undergraduates in an introductory family science course. The activity's goal is to engage students in a learning process that supports their abilities to make meaningful connections to the content. Results of a quasi-experimental evaluation suggest that this music activity facilitated student engagement and application. Students who participated in the exercise found family theories more meaningful to their studies and personal lives than did students who did not participate.
Journal of Comparative Family Studies, Apr 1, 2009
Demographic shifts among the aging population of the United States call for a re-examination of o... more Demographic shifts among the aging population of the United States call for a re-examination of our understanding of the needs of these individuals, especially when race, ethnicity, family composition, and country of origin are considered in the discourse. This paper examines some of the implications of the rapid increase in racial and ethnic diversity among the older population in the United States for delivering culturally competent care through community based service providers. As much of our population ages, families across cultures and classes will increasingly need to be involved with specialized service providers. An ecological approach to this issue posits that elders, their families, and communities are closely intertwined, and need to be examined in relationship to one another. Issues such as race, ethnicity and culture of origin are part of this mix. Nevertheless, the family field, in particular, has been slow in examining the intersections between family, community supports and diversity. This paper highlights this phenomenon in order to spur an interest among scholars and practitioners in expanding this topic. Only with adequate scholarship and discussion will the appropriate delivery of much needed services to these culturally diverse elders and their families become a central component of the family field.
Date Presented 04/04/19 Existing research suggests that better outcomes of children in temporary ... more Date Presented 04/04/19 Existing research suggests that better outcomes of children in temporary placements occur when proxy caregivers exhibit commitment toward children in their care and presence of a consistent relationship exists. The purpose of this poster is to present findings of a mixed-methodology study exploring the perceptions of RTF caregivers’ in their occupation. Primary Author and Speaker: Amy Lynch Additional Authors and Speakers: Bethany Hepp
Demographic shifts among the aging population of the United States call for a re-examination of o... more Demographic shifts among the aging population of the United States call for a re-examination of our understanding of the needs of these individuals, especially when race, ethnicity, family composition, and country of origin are considered in the discourse. This paper examines some of the implications of the rapid increase in racial and ethnic diversity among the older population in the United States for delivering culturally competent care through community based service providers. As much of our population ages, families across cultures and classes will increasingly need to be involved with specialized service providers. An ecological approach to this issue posits that elders, their families, and communities are closely intertwined, and need to be examined in relationship to one another. Issues such as race, ethnicity and culture of origin are part of this mix. Nevertheless, the family field, in particular, has been slow in examining the intersections between family, community supp...
This article focuses on symbolic interactionism and its utility when applied to adoptive families... more This article focuses on symbolic interactionism and its utility when applied to adoptive families. We argue that Mead's (1934, 1956) theoretical concepts of self, generalized other, and shared meaning are underutilized tools for exploring prospective parents' decision of whether to adopt, the transition to adoptive parenthood, and subsequent family adjustment over time. We also advocate for the extension of salience to generalized other, in order to better understand and reflect prospective parents' perspectives of and experiences with adoption. We chose symbolic interactionism as a single theoretical framework to unify the extant adoption literature; in doing so, a conceptual model was developed to better illustrate the theoretical principles as they inform decision making and action taking across the transition to adoptive family life. The model posits six specific propositions that warrant further empirical exploration to test and refine its predictive utility.
Family theory provides a critical foundation for learning in family science education, but learni... more Family theory provides a critical foundation for learning in family science education, but learning about theories can be perceived as difficult and for students. Previous scholarship on strategies for teaching family theories has not included the use of music. Analysis of music could help understanding and application of theoretical content to relationships. This article presents an innovative activity for teaching family theories to major and non-major undergraduates in an introductory family science course. The activity's goal is to engage students in a learning process that supports their abilities to make meaningful connections to the content. Results of a quasi-experimental evaluation suggest that this music activity facilitated student engagement and application. Students who participated in the exercise found family theories more meaningful to their studies and personal lives than did students who did not participate.
red-hot needles being inserted." The thumbs may be spared as they are less exposed to light but w... more red-hot needles being inserted." The thumbs may be spared as they are less exposed to light but were affected in one patient. Both recovered completely and in the autumn one resumed tetracycline therapy without mishap.
This paper explores the recent advent of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) into distance learni... more This paper explores the recent advent of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) into distance learning and higher education. Distance education itself has been effectively employed in family science and other social science curriculums, but the web-enhanced, innovative technologies that MOOCs provide have the potential to advance family science and family life education even further. This paper will explore the challenges that MOOCs offer in regard to attrition and retention, pedagogy, academic standards and cost, as well as consider the opportunities for enhancing family science curriculums and family life education on a global scale. A process for a faculty considering whether or not the MOOC technology is appropriate for a family science department is proposed.
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