Doing something positive about youth gangs will require hard work, attitude change, and enlisting the help of many people. In addition to the many obvious causes of gangs, there are less well-known factors, such as academic achievement, that are related to youth participation in gangs. Participation in extracurricular activities helps young people…

This book offers an introduction to the history and nature of science and technology (HNST) for educators who are interested in teaching about this content area. The book has five chapters, organized to address the following questions: (1) Why is this subject matter important?; (2) What should be taught about this subject matter?; (3) How can I…

Books in the Opposing Viewpoints Series present debates about current issues that can be used to teach critical reading and thinking skills. The varied opinions in each book examine different aspects of a single issue. The topics covered in this volume explore the racial and ethnic tensions that concern many Americans today. The racial divide…

In April 1996 the Board on Children, Youth, and Families and the Family and Child Well-Being Research Network convened their second annual research briefing on welfare and children's development. The briefing was intended to: (1) create a venue for productive exchange between researchers and policy makers; (2) maximize the usefulness of research…

Activities related to women's issues are many and varied at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, but it is doubtful how much of this sensitivity trickles down into actual literature courses. Efforts at moving students away from passive reading and into a more critical stance that would promote active engagement with texts must be encouraged…

A case is presented to advance education on citizenship within the culturally diverse societies of the developing world. The neglect of a positive approach to citizenship education in the period surrounding decolonization may have contributed to the fact that so many developing nations find themselves with social, political, and economic…

The National Urban League convened its third annual Youth Conference in San Diego (California) in July 1992. Of the more than 200 young attendees, 137 completed the survey that is the basis of this analysis. It examines the attitudes of young African Americans regarding academic achievement, peer-group relations, and social issues. Demographic…

This report is based on a November 1992 workshop and a February 1993 public forum which discussed some of the social issues raised by the emergence of electronic communities. The workshop examined user, provider, and other perspectives on different types of networked communities, including those on the Internet, commercial information services,…

The role that contemporary parent training programs play in solving problems caused by breakdowns in the family unit and parent-child relationships is clarified. Guidelines are offered to help various segments of society provide parent training. Part 1 explains why parent training is needed and highlights modern parent training programs. Part 2…

This paper names and describes a common, growing, and dangerous psychological syndrome: Youth Violence Syndrome (YVS). YVS is characterized by at least nine behaviors: (1) hopelessness; (2) a complete or great disregard for the laws followed by most Americans; (3) a short temper combined with a lack of empathy; (4) a desire for respect from others…

Computing involves social issues and political choices. Issues such as privacy, computer crime, gender inequity, disemployment, and electronic democracy versus "Big Brother" are addressed in the context of efforts to develop a national public policy for information technology. A broad range of research and case studies are examined in an…

As part of an effort to correct major social problems, the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) was created in the State of Washington. The ECEAP offers comprehensive, quality preschool programs for children of families who have an income at or below the federal poverty level. An introductory section of the report provides…

This paper presents information on several complex aspects of the prenatal drug exposure problem faced by educators and other professionals. The paper examines the incidence of substance-abusing pregnant women and outlines the dimensions of family problems presented by these women in terms of family history, service needs, medical concerns, and…

This paper reports on a study of situational influences of affect and goal value on social problem-solving in middle childhood. It was expected that the adequacy of any particular social problem-solving process would be reduced by increases in goal intensity. On the basis of prior testing, two social goals of high value and two of low value were…

Interviews with two educators who have been involved in peace education are the focus of this document. The interviews were conducted by a representative of the project group, "Preparedness for Peace," of Malmo, Sweden. This project studies ways of helping children and young people deal constructively with questions of peace and war.…