Discusses identity as the development of functional and intellectual independence and as an involvement in such aspects of life as intimacy, sexuality, and vocation that give one a sense of belonging to the world. Suggests that establishing identity is an on-going process. Describes the Montessori professional's identity as director or directress,…

Explored personal autonomy issues within family caregiver-care recipient dyads (n=15) in which care recipients were blind or visually impaired. Found little evidence of significant conflicts in relationships although family members were more sensitive to autonomy issues than were their frail older relatives. Both groups defined disability itself…

The work preferences of four adults with severe handicaps were assessed, and three choice-related situations were presented. The study found that clients attended to work tasks almost twice as much when they chose their tasks and when assigned to work on preferred tasks, versus when assigned to work on nonpreferred tasks. (Author/JDD)

The introduction to this journal issue on gender equity and the special needs of gifted males examines the role of choice for gifted young people and the significant adults in their lives noting factors that affect choice, social and emotional well-being, achievement and career choice, and breaking free of past patterns. (DB)

Used developmental approach to examine relationship between parental marital status and identity and emotional autonomy in 388 college students. Confidence and Sexual Identity scores revealed that students whose parents were divorced had higher scores than students from intact families. There were not differences in the autonomy scores. (Author)

Practitioners are finding that adult education approaches are effective with adolescents. Emphasis on student-centered, participatory methods and development of learner autonomy prepares students for adult roles. (SK)

Explains the concept of autonomy and its significance in young children's development. Includes suggestions for teachers who want to provide a classroom environment supportive of autonomy. Also discusses the benefit of autonomy-based instruction for school performance. (JPB)

Describes the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Program in Self-Determination, a program facilitating change through the support of "learning community" grants to self-advocacy organizations and others. Local implementation is demonstrating creativity in establishing new tools of self-directed management of resources, listening to…

Discusses the need for dialog in distance education programs, based on the results of empirical research. Highlights include dialog and the construction of meaning; dialog and text design; student characteristics and preferences for dialog; dialog through tutorial support; and the relationship between autonomy, learner characteristics, materials…

Proposes that ambivalence is a useful organizing concept for understanding intergenerational relations. Argues that relationships between the generations in families are structured such that they generate various types of ambivalence. Discusses three aspects of intergenerational relationships that are likely to be ambivalent and proposes an agenda…

Investigates students' identity formation and perceptions of parental acceptance and encouragement of independence as predictors of career indecision. Four measurements were administered to 169 undergraduate students for the study. Results show career indecision was predicted by higher identity moratorium, less maternal acceptance, and fewer years…

Examines the consequences of emotional and behavioral autonomy for different aspects of psychosocial adjustment in the context of the parenting process as perceived by the adolescent with a sample of Belgian adolescents (N=558). Results reveal that it is useful to study autonomy and its developmental outcomes in the broader family context.…

Professional expertise and authority are increasingly eroded by the demands of the institutional delivery system in which they practice. Professional services are now typically delivered by expert systems not individuals. Continuing educators must reframe their understanding of context in order to address the new conditions of practice. (SK)

This article explores the meaning of efficiency and equity in the context of independent living programs for people with disabilities. Conflicts in costs and trade-offs in various scenarios of the efficiency/equity equation are examined in terms of theories of utilitarianism, contractarianism, justice and mutual advantage, and justice as…

Interviews with 27 adults with multiple sclerosis living in their own homes found that they had little choice about who, how, or when help with daily living activities was given. This was especially true as the individuals needed more assistance in toileting and moving around the home. (DB)