Carl Jung had a word for the eeriness when two or more unrelated events occur together in a seemingly meaningful way—Synchronicity. This past week, I came to appreciate this concept that heretofore has seemed like magical thinking. I just returned from a conference in Seattle. The same day, President Obama gave a Father’s Day address about the importance of fathers in the lives of children. So what’s the connection? For me, it’s about Seattle. It's about the anniversary of my grandfather's death this week. And it’s about two generations of missing fathers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "in 2006, 6 million cases of child abuse or neglect were reported to Child Protective Services in the United States. Approximately 905,000 of these cases were confirmed.... However, the true number of children who are abused or neglected is unknown. Many cases, especially those involving young children, are not recognized or reported. As a result, many abused or neglected children suffer in silence." In this issue of NCFR Report, we explore Child Abuse & Neglect. As always, your NCFR colleagues share their expertise in research and practice on the subject matter. However, we are especially grateful this time for a contribution from a guest columnist, Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Rhodes.
According to a report from the U.S. Census, there were 1.6 million adopted children under age 18 in 2004. These children comprise 2.5 % of all children under 18. Adoption is changing in profound ways due to new mental health information, family policies, foster care influences, geopolitical circumstances - even emerging technologies. In this edition of NCFR Report, our experts speak to these and other issues.
From the "Failure to Launch" to "Helicopter Parents," research on young adults reveals that media messages do not tell the story about the 18 - 25 year old population. Developmental psychologists, sociologists, demographers and public policy professionals are helping all of us understand the special needs of those at this important developmental stage. What are the unique concerns of emerging adults? What does the latest research show? How does public policy meet-or fail to meet- their needs? How can family professionals help families through this transition? In this issue of NCFR Report, NCFR experts examine these and other questions.
No longer children, not yet adults, adolescents are negotiating a unique developmental stage of transition and transformation. What are the risks? What promotes resilience? In this issue of NCFR Report, your colleagues answer these and other questions.
Disabilities-acute and chronic, visible and hidden-are a fact of life for a significant number of American families. According to a July 19 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, 51.2 million-or 18% of the population-have some level of disability. In this issue, we explore how individuals of all ages and their families deal with disabilities on a daily basis, and we look at systems that support their efforts.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, this issue of NCFR Report presents perspectives from around the world. Such perspectives are essential. By 2025, over 80 percent of the world's population will live in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In the United States, immigration from non-Western countries now accounts for a major share of population growth. It's time to develop a more comprehensive approach to our understanding of diverse families within the ever-changing demographic landscape.
"...no argument can stand that supports unequal opportunity or any intrinsic disqualification for sharing in the whole of life," wrote anthropologist Margaret Mead. Articles in this issue of NCFR Report-which complements the annual conference theme-explore inequalities that affect families. Some are external and lead to poverty and lack of civic participation. Others exist within the family itself as a result of divorce or gender roles.
