According to futurist Faith Popcorn, it's a "dream as old as America itself: give me a piece of land to call my own, a little town where everyone knows my name." But that dream is getting harder to realize. Many farmers are declaring bankruptcy. Jobs are scarce. Health care and social services may be hours away from those who need them. In this issue, we explore these issues and their impact on rural families.
"We have the idea that if a thing can be done, then it ought to be done," British author J.B. Priestly once wrote. "We don't stop to think of the possible consequences of its use." Priestly could have been writing about advances in medical technology, which have consequences that are often miraculous - and sometimes disturbing. In this issue, we explore some of these technologies and their impact of family.
In 1996, the U.S. shifted to a "work first" welfare system. For example, the work exemption for parents of children under 3 years of age was repealed, and less emphasis was placed on skills development and education. In this issue, we explore the effects of welfare reform on families and children and look at ways to facilitate the transition from welfare to work.
Napoleon once said, "Soldiers win battles and generals get the credit." What he didn't mention is that most soldiers and generals have families who are affected by military life. This is especially true today. Since the abolition of the draft in 1973, the military services have shifted from two-thirds single personnel to two-thirds married personnel. In this issue, we explore how the U.S. military promotes readiness by supporting families.
Domestic abuse, bullying and school shootings, child abuse, suicide ... sometimes it seems as though we are surrounded by violence. Less evident are the efforts of those working to prevent violence. In this issue, we explore some of those efforts - including anger management training, a therapeutic visitation program for parents in the child protection system, a community-based youth-violence program, and the use of sophisticated computer technology to predict "hot spots."
According to a 1999 poll, nine in 10 Americans say that computers have made life better and seven in 10 say that the Internet has made life better. Yet according to the same poll, 56 percent of Americans say that computers have led people to spend less time with their families and friends. In this issue of NCFR Report, we explore how the proliferation of electronic media is changing family life.
