The American political process and the institutions through which it operates are dependent upon a variety of factors: economic forces, demographic trends, cultural experience, and psychological dynamics. Responses of the political system to the forces shaping it are examined. (LBH)

Although the national rhetoric reveals vestiges of self-criticism, the author maintains that we are actually retreating from the responsibilities our dreams entail. Recoiling from the burden of insight, the nation wants to be a child again. (LBH)

Despite the world wide absolute and relative increase in the size and longevity of the aging population, there is a virtually universal trend toward earlier retirement from industry and even from agriculture. (Author)

Author attributes moral discontent prevalent in Western societies to the lack of mutual basic assumptions which lead to a common social purpose. (RW)

The history and traditional ways of the Micmac Indians prior to the 17th century are discussed. During this era, the Micmac Indians had a sociopolitical system which provided political, social, economic, cultural and educational structures which surprised the early Europeans. (NQ)

Contrasts the use of metaphors for death and dying in English and Spanish and makes some observations concerning universal and culture-specific conceptualizations. The article points out that the human capacity to conceptualize and reason derives from experience (perceptions, cultural practices, motor activity) and imagination (metaphor, metonymy,…

Comments on a previous articles in this issue regarding suggestions for future research in the area of anger. Argues we have neglected to address the sociocultural context of anger and therefore need to conduct cross-cultural analyses. (KW)

Discusses six issues that were the focus of the Ad Hoc Committee's Policy Statement and relates them to conducting research in the domain of out-of-school science learning. Suggests avenues for research in this area. (KHR)

Discusses fairness and equity in mathematics assessment. Illustrates these issues with two studies of teachers' informal classroom assessment practices and their interpretation and evaluation of students' formal written mathematical texts. Indicates that different teachers could interpret similar work differently. Discusses and critiques…

Analyzed the storytelling practices of two teachers that, unknown to them, were integral to teaching and learning in their high school classrooms. Each set of stories appealed to a particular demographic group of students. Findings extend sociocultural theories of successful student participation as an interactive accomplishment tied to larger…

This study determined how adverse childhood experiences influenced risky sexual behavior in a community sample of Latina adolescents in Los Angeles. Psychosocial, sociocultural, and environmental mediators of the relations between childhood experiences and risky sexual behavior were tested. Childhood maltreatment was associated with risky sexual…

Argues that the sociological frameworks developed by Pierre Bourdieu provide a model for understanding the functions and consequences of literacies in the students' life paths. The article identifies implications for educators, administrators, curriculum developers, and teacher-educators, i.e., the need for broader public discussions and classroom…

Focuses on the problem of cultural stereotyping in work on intercultural communication. Describes recent interest in culture in relation to language learning and the problematic nature of the concept of culture. Concludes that Chinese attitudes toward academic study are diverse, and argues that culture is a contested area of discourse. (15…

Focuses on how teachers of minority ancestries construct and represent their family language identities. Drawing on poststructural, postcolonial and sociocultural theory on culture, identity, and language, examined the complex nature of linguistic identities of 25 teachers of Chinese and 20 teachers of Punjabi ancestries. (Author/VWL)

Classifies ethnomathematics in relation to the teaching of formal, academic mathematics. Investigates whether ethnomathematics should replace academic mathematics, be a supplement to the mathematics curriculum, be used as a springboard for academic mathematics, or be taken into consideration when preparing learning situations. Suggests that only…