These authors often have opportunities to talk with practitioners in education, youth development, family services, and other fields about today's families. When asked about their own families, they will most often admit their quirks and challenges--but they generally express great appreciation for their families and how they add meaning,…

In this article, youth from diverse racial backgrounds describe the challenges they face in aspiring to excellence in underperforming schools. The research explored the perceptions of school inequality on the part of Latino, African American or immigrant, and Caucasian students in two central Minnesota communities. This study tapped the experience…

A growing body of research shows that many seriously troubled children and adolescents are reacting to adverse life experiences. Yet traditional diagnostic labels are based on checklists of surface symptoms. Distracted by disruptive behavior, the common response is to medicate, punish, or exclude rather than respond to needs of youth who have…

Traditional teaching methods often fail to engage male students in learning. The purpose of this research was to increase student engagement in the story writing process and increase self-confidence in boys at risk. A qualitative approach included student surveys as well as teacher journaling and portfolios (including e-portfolios). The student…

Preschool children and toddlers often display emotional and behavioral problems. Without early intervention, these difficulties can lead to serious problems in later years. This research from Belgium explores how Life Space Crisis Intervention and Developmental Therapy-Developmental Teaching can inform work with these young children. (Contains 2…

Anti-bullying experts employ trade books in dealing with contemporary issues facing young people, including bullying. At least three conceptual strands underpin the application of young adult literature (YAL) in such enterprises: (1) reliance on tested voices appealing to young readers; (2) the potential effect of quality YAL on literacy…

Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) is a competency-based approach to intervening with adolescents, particularly within the schools, who are experiencing emotional pain, psychological distress, or behavioral disruption in their personal lives. LSCI is used to help classroom teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, and other school staff to…

The term resiliency is used to describe the "human capacity and ability to face, overcome, be strengthened by, and even be transformed by experiences of adversity." Native American culture provides a framework for fostering resiliency. The Lakota Sioux society identifies four core needs that foster resiliency and motivate individuals to reach…

In this article, a process evaluation of a school-based, violence intervention program is presented. The program was modeled after bullying prevention programs described by Daniel Olweus (1993) whose components were implemented to achieve student safety goals. The process evaluation instrument used in this study was developed by a rural Midwestern…

This research reports the effects of Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) training with staff in a junior high school serving students with emotional disturbance. Results reveal that frequency of crises decreased significantly in the LSCI school while increasing significantly in the control school. All staff in the LSCI school reported that they…

Approximately 68 classroom teachers participated in a preliminary evaluation of Response Ability Pathways (RAP), a reclaiming training course for adults who work with children and youth. RAP offers basic training in the Circle of Courage Model and provides participants with general strategies for assisting youth who are experiencing challenges.…

Describes an ethnographic study undertaken with 23 youth, in residential treatment centers, to explore the effect of caring relationships on their lives. Seven elements of caring relationships were identified: trust; attention; empathy; availability; affirmation; respect; and virtue. Describes how the components of successful caring can be used to…

Therapeutic change is seldom a neat pathway of progress. In fact, some children may temporarily display more problems as they strive to replace old ways of coping with more adaptive behaviors. This article describes a study of nine stages many troubled youngsters experience as they struggle to find a new positive identity. These changes are not…

How do youth at risk conceptualize respect? This study with youth in an alternative basic education learning center suggests that there are four forms of respect--Challenge, Attention, Responsiveness, and Expectation (C.A.R.E). Students believe they are respected when adults challenge them to succeed academically, give attention to their…

Twelve adolescent novels with the theme of obesity were selected for critical analysis. The novels were assessed for readability and to determine the approach to overweight portrayed by writers. The books were also examined in light of the concept of lookism prejudice. Recommendations were offered to teachers and counselors for use of these books…