From the Editor's Desk
The Smallest Democracy
This issue of Family Futures highlights exasmples of youth participation,
describes how to involve children and adolescents in family and community life,
and reframes policy debates about the circumstances under which such
participation ought to occur.
By Gary B. Melton |
4 |
Family Life Today
Youth Participation in Family and Community Decision Making
Encouraging young people to take part in making decisions enhances their well-being,
prepares them for adulthood, and strengthens adult authority.
By Lois A. Weithorn |
6 |
An Alternative View
Parents and Children
An emphasis on who will decide—children of any given age or their
parents—often results in overlooking the fundamental question at issue.
By Gary B. Melton |
10 |
Innovations on the Frontline
Children’s Express: Giving Youth a Voice
Since 1975, Children’s Express news organization has provided a way
for children and teenagers of diverse backgrounds to have a voice in the
mainstream.
By Vicky Hallett |
15 |
Kids Voting USA Is Participation!
Kids Voting USA seeks to involve children in the voting process by allowing
them to cast a ballot at official polling sites.
By Paula Case and Cynthia p. Dunne |
Ready, Willing, and Able: Helping Children with PKU Live
“Normal” Lives
A week-long summmer camp in Massachusetts integrated 17 children who have a
genetic disorder with “well” children and designed camp activities
based on what the child with PKU said they wanted from their camp experience.
By Susan Waisbren |
South Carolina YOUth Connected: Giving Foster and Adopted
Children a Voice
The South Carolina Department of Social Services publishes a newsletter
that allows foster and adopted children to share their experiences with each other
and to ask questions about child welfare policies.
By Carl Holman |
Reaching Youth Through Voluntary Community Service
The Teen Outreach Program has had dramatic success in reducing teen
pregnancy and school failure. |
Making it Happen
Preparing Children and Adolescents for Stressful Events and Life Decisions
Studies show that children benefit from both technical and sensory
information, as well as training in the use of specific coping strategies
to help them prepare for some events and situations in their lives.
By Karen Saywitz and Lorinda Camparo |
25 |
Courtwatch
United states Law and the Children’s Convention
The Children’s Convention owes more to the U. S. Bill of Rights and
developing American constitutional doctrine than any other stream of
thought or political development elsewhere in the world.
By Robert E. Sheperd, Jr. |
30 |
Lessons From Abroad
Children, Participation, and Democracy: A Case Study of the Statute of
the Child and Adolescent in Brazil
In 1990, Brazil passed landmark legislation that in essence promotes the
participation of communities, families, and children themselves in
children’s well-being.
By Irene Rizzini, Gary Barker, and Neide Cassaniga |
35 |
View from the Other Side
California Foster Youth Write Their Own Bill of Rights
A former foster youth discusses his experiences in “the system”
and a California bill that would improve how children in foster care
would be treated.
By Kevin Harrington |
43 |
