Assessing the play beliefs of African American mothers with preschool children

A rating scale measuring parent beliefs about play was developed and validated with a sample of 224 African American mothers of children attending Head Start. Principal components analyses of the Parent Play Beliefs Scale (PPBS) revealed two factors, Play Support and Academic Focus, which capture parent attitudes regarding the developmental significance of play. Maternal ratings of Play Support correlated positively with ratings of children's interactive peer play and were positively associated with parent education. Maternal ratings of Academic Focus were negatively correlated with prosocial peer play ratings and positively correlated with ratings of disruptive and disconnected play in children. Findings support the psychometric utility of the new measure. Future directions involving parent play beliefs in conceptual models of children's social competence during early childhood are discussed.     

Gender roles and the American academe: a case study of graduate student mothers

Studies have found that motherhood is significantly associated with attrition for female graduate students in the United States. Few, however, have examined this phenomenon from the point of view of current students. Utilizing data from 30 in‐depth interviews with student mothers from a number of academic fields, this study details both the structural environments and the socio‐cultural constructs that affect the women’s daily experiences. The data highlight the fact that the symbolic nature of both roles – mother and student – is often in conflict with the structural elements around which each role is performed. Student mothers confront this dilemma through a number of strategic practices including ‘maternal invisibility’, ‘academic invisibility’, luck, and reliance on the more traditional means of economic and emotional support that come from spouses and parents. In detailing these practices, the study offers both important clues about the factors that may contribute to attrition for graduate student mothers as well as suggestions for institutional improvement.     

Differentiating physical discipline from abuse: Q findings from Chinese American mothers and pediatric nurses

The perception and use of physical discipline (PD) is culture-based, and the differentiation between PD and abuse is subjective and complex. The purpose of this study was to understand how Chinese American mothers and one group of mandated reporters of child abuse (i.e. pediatric nurses) differentiate PD from abuse. Using Q-methodology, 3 viewpoints on PD and abuse differentiation were uncovered from a sample of 35 Chinese American mothers and 48 pediatric nurses. Although there was wide consensus on the most acceptable and most unacceptable parent discipline behaviors across the 3 views, the acceptability of punishments differed by their potential to inflict injury, pain, or incite fear and uncertainty. This was the first study to examine PD and abuse differentiation based on 5 definable domains of PD (i.e. specific behavior, intention, delivery, outcome, and pattern of use). Findings point to important nuances in how some mothers and nurses differentiate abuse from acceptable discipline, and the potential for using Q-methodology for exploring PD and abuse differentiations across diverse cultural, social, and professional groups.     

Relations between colorblind socialization and children's racial bias: evidence from European American mothers and their preschool children

To examine European American parents’ racial socialization, mothers (n = 84) were videotaped while reading 2 race‐themed books to their 4‐ to 5‐year‐old children and completed surveys concerning their racial attitudes and behaviors. Children completed measures of their racial attitudes and both groups (mothers and preschoolers) predicted the others’ racial attitudes. Results indicated that nearly all mothers adopted “colormute” and “colorblind” approaches to socialization. Furthermore, neither children nor mothers accurately predicted the others’ views. Children’s racial attitudes were unrelated to their mothers’ attitudes but were predicted by their mothers’ cross‐race friendships; those children whose mothers had a higher percentage of non‐European American friends showed lower levels of racial biases than those children whose mothers had a lower percentage of non‐European American friends.     

A longitudinal analysis of the impact of child custody loss on drug use and crime among a sample of African American mothers

This study examines the influence of child custody loss on drug use and crime among a sample of African American mothers. Two types of custody loss are examined: informal custody loss (child living apart from mother but courts not involved), and official loss (child removed from mother’s care by authorities).MethodsUsing data from 339 African American women, longitudinal random coefficient models analyzed the effects of each type of custody loss on subsequent drug use and crime.Resultsindicated that both informal and official custody loss predicted increased drug use, and informal loss predicted increased criminal involvement. Findings demonstrate that child custody loss has negative health implications for African American mothers, potentially reducing their likelihood of regaining or retaining custody of their children.ConclusionsThis study highlights the need to integrate drug treatment and other types of assistance into family case plans to improve reunification rates and outcomes among mothers, children, and families. Additionally, the finding that informal loss predicts increased drug use suggests that community-based efforts within the mother’s social network could be implemented to intervene before child welfare system involvement becomes necessary.     

Parenting among low-income, African American single mothers with preschool-age children: patterns, predictors, and developmental correlates

Dimensions and patterns of parenting were examined in a sample of 193 low-income African American single mothers with preschool-age children. Factor analyses yielded three dimensions: Aggravation, Nurturance, and Cognitive Stimulation. Cluster analysis yielded four patterns of parenting: Aggravated but Nurturant; Cognitively Stimulating; Patient and Nurturant; and Low Nurturance. Discriminant function analysis was used to predict membership in each of the four parenting clusters. Two composite functions emerged, the first representing maternal well-being (locus of control, depressive symptoms), the second representing sociodemographic characteristics (maternal education, duration on welfare, age at first birth), accounting for 93% of between-groups variability. Children's scores on measures of cognitive school readiness and personal maturity were significantly related to parenting pattern, even after controlling for significant predictors of parenting pattern; children's verbal ability was no longer related to parenting pattern once significant maternal characteristics were controlled. Findings are discussed in terms of contributions to the literature on parenting and in terms of implications for welfare policy and programs.     

我国教育博士发展问题研究

教育博士是高等教育历史发展的必然产物,我国现处于教育博士发展的初期阶段。厘清其发展过程中教育博士与哲学博士、教育博士与教育硕士、教育博士与职业资格等三对关系,制定特色培养方案、建立职业资格体系、采取联合培养方式。     

Child abuse: Thoughts on doctors, nurses and prevention

It is obviously better if child abuse can be prevented in the first place. There are many problems in society which doctors and nurses and other health care professionals can hardly be expected to fix up, but there are many weaknesses in what we do which can and should be repaired. As a group we are weak in our appreciation of the demoralizing strain that an awkward or crying baby can bring upon a household, particularly that of the nuclear family. The media paint a mythical picture of parenthood, possibly unreal, and leading to the isolation of the mother who wants to complain that her child is very trying. As a group, doctors and nurses are more concerned about reassurances that a child is not seriously ill or else will outgrow his particular symptom and are not very good at bending their energies towards providing relief of the symptom. The sanity of many families has been preserved by the judicious use of safe analgesics and sedatives. Many people obtain these in spite of the physician and not through him.To turn to an even earlier phase of infancy, where hospital personnel are intensely involved and could well mend their ways often — in Western countries more and more babies are being born in hospital. Frequently, insufficient efforts are made to ensure that the labour and delivery are pleasant emotional experiences for the mother. In the name of safety, sterility and administrative needs, many of the emotional needs of the parents are unmet. It is now being shown that actual physical attachment between mother and baby in the time — hours and days — after the baby is born can be extremely important in developing the mother/child bond which is the child's greatest protection. In many countries including mine there have to be associations of mothers who want to breast feed their own children, and these mothers often find that their greatest difficulties are with hospital personnel.The very necessary scientific measures required to ensure the safety of low birth weight and premature infants can separate mother from baby even more and this is reflected in the well-known increase in later child abuse among babies who have spent their early weeks in intensive care units. If the hospital personnel really try, they can make the mother and father feel at home in these ultrascientific units. The staff must not merely permit but must actively invite the parents into the special nursery, explain the surroundings and equipment, show how to gown and hand wash, how to open the Humidicrib, touch the baby and take part in the nursing management from the earliest possible time — the second or first day. Explanations appropriate to the parental level of understanding must be given and repeated.Anything which will strengthen the bonds within the family must be welcomed as something that will prevent child abuse.     

信号处理ActiveX控件的研制

介绍了数字信号处理ActiveX控件,它是Visual Basic和Visual C／C 等编程环境下的良好开发工具,集成了数值计算、信号处理和科学图形,与其他控件相结合可简单方便地构筑起功能强大、界面精美的Windows 95和Windows NT下的32位应用程序。     

浙江省乡村医生社会保障问题实证研究

以浙江省乡村医生为研究对象,对浙江省各区、市的乡村医生的社会保障情况进行了分层随机调查.通过调查发现,乡村医生的基本条件有了改善,但也存在着乡村医生待遇普遍不高、收入差距较大、社会保障水平低、业务培训与实际需求失衡的问题.通过原因分析,提出将村医社会保障尽快纳入社区卫生服务一体化管理,出台保障政策,转变业务培训方式的建议.     

美国税收增减变化对美国经济增长影响的实证研究

运用Chiristina Romer和David Romer的叙事记录法,税收变化可以分为内生性税收变化和外生性税收变化,外生性税收变化是指不受当前经济状况影响的税收变化。通过对1947年至2007年美国税收变化对经济增长的影响进行实证研究,并着重研究外生性税收变化对人均GDP增长的影响,发现税收增加对人均GDP增长有显著的阻碍作用,但税收减少对促进经济增长的作用并不明显。     

浅谈美国英语

美国作为多民族的大熔炉,语言是丰富多彩的,是各民族各种文化融合的结果。美国英语起源于英国英语,却在发展中与英语产生了很大的差异,并保持着强劲的独立趋势,影响着世界各地英语变体的变化。就其起源、发展、影响以及未来的发展趋势浅谈对美国英语的认识。     

Remarks on American Taboos

Language serves as the tool of communication between people.In any language persons,things and activities that are ta boos should not be talked about or should be mentioned in a roundabout way.it is not only a linguistic phenomenon but also a social phenomenon.The origin of taboo is deeply rooted in the social and cultural background.Today in the increasingly frequent cross-cultural communication,if you do not understand the language taboos,it will hinder the smooth communication.This pa per will talk about American taboos from two aspects.It is designed to help English learners understand American culture and im prove competence of cross-cultural communication.     

基于C#自定义服务器控件开发研究

服务器控件是WebForm编程模型的核心元素．针对现有软件开发工具在Web应用系统开发过程中控件功能不足,通过自定义控件的开发实例,分析和探讨了用C#开发服务器控件的方法,有利于提高应用程序的开发效率。     

美国政府对印第安人的"全面同化"政策述论

美国政府对印第安人实行保留地政策并没有达到预期的效果,因此在1880年至1920年间对印第安人实行“全面同化”政策。其目的在于通过对印第安人进行改造,实行土地分配,打破保留地制度,授予印第安人以公民权,改善印第安人的文化教育水平,使印第安人融入到白人主流社会中来。这种政策的实施并没有从根本上改善印第安人的生存状况,相反,还成了一次对印第安人变本加厉的掠夺。     

Analysis and Reflections on American Values Revealed in American Reality Shows

The reality show is gaining its popularity all across America as well as the world.It’s more than a TV show and commercial activity;because it reveals American values that embody individualism,which is what the analysis is mainly about and there is a conclusion that it is strongly embraced by the Americans nowadays,along with the evident traces of edgy personality,teamwork,and innovation.