Latino Families in the United States. A Resourcebook for Family Life Education = Las Familias Latinas en los Estados Unidos. Recursos para la Capacitacion Familiar.

The primary objectives of this resource book are to increase family life educators' knowledge and understanding of Latinos and to encourage advocacy by Latinos for appropriate family life programs in their communities. English and Spanish versions of the same text are included. There are six chapters. Chapter 1 outlines the book's objectives and premises and briefly describes its content. Chapter 2 summarizes the history, cultural influences, demographic characteristics, and health status of Latinos in the United States, emphasizing the need to recognize the pluralistic nature of the Latino population and the central status of health aa a group priority. Chapter 3 presents an analytical discussion of Latino families, including cultural and societal sources of stress and of support. Chapter 4 provides a conceptual framework for health promotion strategies in Latino communities, and deals with four areas: nutrition, infant and child health, reproductive health, and stress management. Chapter 5 addresses the issues of family life program design and community participation. Finally, Chapter 6 argues that institutional orientation or philosophy will determine the success or failure of any program venture. Six appendices include a list of resource book contributors; an agenda of a conference ("Hispanic Family Life Education-A National Perspective"); correspondence between conference participants and Planned Parenthood leaders; a list of Latino organizations and networks; a chart indicating health prevention priority areas; a list of family life education curricula and materials; and a bibliography on Latino families. (KH)