Ethnic Conversions : Family, Community, Women, and Kinwork

According to the straight-line theory of assimilation, ethnic groups by the third or fourth generation should be entirely assimilated into mainstream society and should identify themselves as Americans. Yet there has been a resurgence of ethnicity among white ethnics in the United States that has led to a renewed interest in particular ethnic groups and their cultures. Third- and fourth-generation European Americans claim an ethnic identity even though their ties to their ancestral homeland may be tenuous. Lithuanian Americans in Kansas City, Kansas, in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s would seem to provide support for the straight-line theory of assimilation, yet since the 1980s they have reconstituted themselves through the Lithuanians of America organization and are experiencing a renewal of their ethnic identity. The Lithuanian American community in Seattle, Washington, also experienced ebbs and flows in the activism and unity of its members. The community was active at the turn of the twentieth century, next revitalized by Lithuanian emigres following World War II, and then became active again in the late 1970s after a decade of inaction. Members of the two groups were given questionnaires in the early 1990s to address the ethnic identity fluctuations as well as the role of non-ethnics in the organizations. One of the more exciting findings from the surveys and from participant observation was the extensive role of ethnic converts in the Kansas City organization, and their lesser (but still significant) role in the Seattle Lithuanian-American community

The Power Paradox in Muslim Women’s Majales: North-West Pakistani Mourning Rituals as Sites of Contestation over Religious Politics, Ethnicity, and Gender

During revolutions, rebellions, and movements, women are often called on to serve contradictory roles. They are asked to perform workpolitical, communicative, networking, recruiting, military, manual - that generally goes beyond the society\u27s usual gender restrictions. At the same time, women serve as symbols of movement identity, unity, commitment, and righteous entitlement. To fit into this idealized symbolic image, individual women must fulfill often traditional or even exaggerated feminine behavioral and attitudinal requirements, such as loyalty, obedience, selflessness, sacrifice, and proper deportment: all in all, they are to put aside any personal aspirations and wishes for self-fulfillment and give their all to promoting the values and interests of their nation, revolutionary movement, or social group

The American Community Survey

Analytical data report #15 is the latest in a series of bulletins designed to complement our traditional data releases. The American Community Survey (ACS) is a continuous household survey conducted by the United States Census Bureau that will replace the long-form of the traditional decennial Census. ADR #15 provides background information on the ACS and the benefits and challenges associated with its use. The report also reviews some of the estimates currently available for the region's nine counties and six largest municipalities and, based on this data, discusses demographic changes in the Delaware Valley between 2000 and 2006

Making the Invisible Visible: Inviting Persons with Disabilities into the Life of the Church

Christianity espouses the dignity of all humanity and professes welcome for all to the communion of saints. Yet people with disabilities, especially those with more severe or profound physical or psychological disabilities, are largely invisible inside our houses of worship. This article examines the meaning of dignity and inclusion through the lenses of Christian anthropology, disabilities liberation theology, and the lived experience of persons with disabilities. It concludes with some suggestions on how to begin inclusion

IMPLICATIONS OF EMERGING BIOTECHNOLOGIES

Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Suggested handbooks to use in promoting parental cooperation with the schools toward improving reading grades and reading readiness ability in kindergarten, grades one and two

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Intersection of race and religion for youth in foster care: examining policy and practice

Religion and race are primary forces affecting both individuals' identities and social relations. Consequently, their impacts on child welfare systems, and the clients of the system, are important to understand. In addition to protections against discrimination on the basis of religion and race, positive affirmations and connection to relevant communities are also needed to achieve client well-being. This analysis examines both historical and contemporary approaches to addressing religion and race in child welfare policy and practice, with a particular focus on adolescent youth. Our primary focus is on Blacks and Christians because these groups have received predominant attention in the literature. We argue that because racial/ethnic and religious identity development are critical to adolescent well-being, race and religion must receive explicit and consistent attention in child welfare practice. Moreover, the importance of religion has often been overlooked, particularly in its intersection with race. Quality practice needs more explicit attention to religion, but this also raises cautions in the current political environment.Accepted manuscrip

Missiological Education by Extension: A Case Study of the Course, “Foundations of the World Christian Movement”

This article is a case study of a simple online course created jointly by a mission agency and small university. It demonstrates how open source course management technology has been used to create a true sense of community among students from a variety of cultural backgrounds and locations. The content of the course was delivered through a blending of open source technology and self-directed adult learning facilitated through online dialog, which in turned engendered multi-cultural, respectful virtual community. Information is shared to enable others to obtain low-cost technological help for setting up other individual courses in Moodle