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Multigenerational households are increasingly affecting both the individual and family as well as community organizations and social policies. Social work and other family studies students can profit from educational modalities that use adult learning applications through a systems life-course perspective, the whole family aging over time. Family simulation software—addressing multigenerational families, such as two or more adult generations living together—builds on a previous paper (Marriage & Family Review,Feb. 2015). Social class, among other demographic and environmental variables, is emphasized. Agent-based family social network simulation of multigenerational families can facilitate experiential learning. An automatically generated life events report, based on both factual data and specific family characteristics, can be used as a classroom case study for role playing and assessing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the personal, professional, interpersonal, social, and academic development of students who complete a 15-hour service-learning assignment as part of the requirements for a family diversity course. A content analysis of 36 students' reflection papers revealed that service-learning was extremely beneficial, even when the experience was brief. Numerous valuable lessons were learned by the students about themselves and their future careers. Specifically, they became more accepting of others, and they realized the importance of service to one's community. In addition, they were able to process and synthesize the information they learned in the classroom by experiencing the course content in a real-world setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on family issues, family studies as part of university curricula and the topics covered in the October 2005 issue. The topics include: skill-building strategies, advocacy techniques and policy issues; family dynamics; importance of creating a cross-cultural perspective when teaching about families; and the importance of family resource management as a subject field and not only argue for its inclusion in the curriculum.

To understand and fully incorporate low-income, multiproblem families into treatment, clinicians need a comprehensive yet efficient assessment tool that addresses both family resources and stressors and privileges the family's voice. The Family Inventory of Resources and Stressors (FIRST) is a broad-based family assessment measure developed to address this need. This study, using clinical, nonclinical, and at-risk populations, examined the factor structure and utility of the FIRST as well as the role of defensive answering. Results indicate that the FIRST has an adequate factor structure and that families find the measure useful and worthwhile. Implications for professionals working with low-income, multiproblem families are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To better understand and serve Asian-Americans, it is imperative for the family science related fields to take a leadership role in providing in-depth insight into Asian-American families. In this article we report a descriptive analysis of articles published in prominent family-based journals over a 14-year period (1992-2006) relative to their attention to Asian-American families. This study examines the types of research conducted and the knowledge that has been generated about Asian-American families. It also provides a framework for considering future culturally centered research with this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on family strengths began in Korea in the 1990s. With increasing academic and social interest in the study of family strengths, a number of investigations have been conducted. Western measurements do not properly reflect unique features of Korean familism and culture. Pursuit of coexistence and we-hess are unique Korean qualities of family strengths that represent the solidarity of members and familism. However, these qualities are sometimes called obstacles to the adjustment of Korean people to changing norms in a rapidly individualizing society today. In this context, it is time to reexamine the concepts of family strengths in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we make an argument for the importance of policy education for marriage and family students as a way of promoting critical thinking and engagement in science translation or advocacy. Several relevant active pedagogical approaches to teaching about law/policy are reviewed. We then describe the objectives and assignments from a class on Child Welfare, Law, and Social Policy, including written policy briefs and amicus curiae (friend of the court) legal briefs, and subsequent oral presentations. Student feedback is presented from eight classes with undergraduates and graduate students over a five-year period. We end with some conclusions about the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]