Family science and human development

Overview of Research s Overview of Research Introduction The relative integration of Family Science and Human Development theory and methodology has necessitated human investigators in these fields to focus on the major agenda of research that have recently pervaded research in social sciences. The research agendas are highly triggered by the concerns and problems that preoccupy the contemporary society such as single parenthood, divorce, teenage pregnancy, abuse and family violence, under-reemployed and underachieving minorities, non-familial childcare, racial and gender equity in workplace environments. For example, the rapid changes that occurred in the American adults’ lives in the twentieth century helped in transforming their children lives. The transformation was triggered by the increased risk of being conceived out of wedlock, or having divorced parents, growing up in households run by single parents resurfaced as an experience common for the American children (Ellwood & Jencks, 2004; Wildeman, 2009). Changing of the family structure cannot be viewed as the only factor impacting on the lives of children. The wide imprisonment taking place in America has greatly impacted on the childhood social experience for current birth cohorts (Foster & Hagan, 2007). Increased levels of parental imprisonment are potentially traumatizing to those children exposed to it (Murray & Farrington, 2008). According to Comfort (2007, 2008), the impacts of incarceration on both family life and economic life clearly indicates that parental incarceration can result to long-term consequences for children. Therefore, parental incarceration just like divorce, homosexuality, and family violence among others can significantly impact on children even though it is beneficial to some. . Knowledgeable students of human development and family science field may be equivocate on what has actually been under or over-reemphasized in this field. Nevertheless, few individuals would argue that human development and family science as a field of study has largely assumed the significant single human activity that result throughout an individual’s adulthood and that of participating in the workplace. Historically, majority of men and currently numerous women as well, have jobs that take most of their time both at their early as well as middle adulthood in comparison to times consumed by either marital or parental relationships. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to identify current issues or problems in human development as a discipline of family and consumer sciences. In addition to that, the paper will also document areas that need further research. Issues in the field of Human Development 1. Human development and family science researchers have diverted little attention to adult activities without taking into consideration how working, to be precise mothers or not working (to be precise fathers) impacts on the life and relationship of a family (Goldsmith, 2008). 2. In addition to the above, they do not posses enough knowledge about children’s development of work attitudes and habits. 3. Another issue is that, majority of undergraduate students have been attracted to human development and family science program since they perceive the program as highly marketable. However, in this program, there are many students who possess a vague understanding of what they are expected to do after the completion of their graduate degrees. 4. Some faculties only prepare students for certain credentialed specialties such as early childhood education, gerontology and child life (Family Science Program, 2006-2008 Peggy, 2012). This makes human development students not know where to specialize at the graduate level. In that case, they often depend on specialized personnel for purposes of knowing about their families and enroll for a job in areas where family services are incorporated 5. Little has been done on the influence of heterosexism and homophobia on clinical training and practice, LGBT affirmative therapy evaluation competence among therapist has also been given little attention(Sexuality and Human Rights, 2009) 6. There exists little knowledge on various issues such as the evaluation of social justice and feminist training practices and spiritual influence on clinical training and practice 7. In areas of therapy, human development and family researchers have covered less on community work and narrative therapy, the approach of feminist to therapy with men, and approaches to therapy that are social just 8. More has to be documented on gender equity, feminist theories and family play therapy, women’s history, parenting and single parents 9. Issues have been raised regarding family/partner relationships, diversity issues with regards to family therapy, approaches that are qualitative to family therapy training and education and qualitative methodology 10. Issues on adolescent development, parental education, sexuality education, child injury protection, risk taking and gerontology (Wildeman, 2009, Sexuality and Human Rights, 2009). Hence, there is need for further research for purposes of understanding of the various processes through which non-familial and familial relationship affect career development. The research should endeavor to demonstrate that certain relations of students with their parent’s dimensions are good indicators of their stage in their career while still in school. In summary, human development and family studies investigators should take cues from clinicians, organizational psychologists and counseling initiated research in order to be able to deepen and advance people’s acknowledgment of the above development phenomenon and their contextual and social antecedents. Areas of further Research There is need to research on methodological and theoretical training and also experiences in human development field. As such, there is need to involve professional colleagues and mentors to come up with an effective program. Research has to be done so as to come up with development of a variety of skills that cuts across communication and mastering of the research and teaching technical aspects. Another area of research is finding out of the importance of doctoral students research training. In summary, there is a need to conduct further research for purposes of providing a more complete science of family and human development relations as well as maintaining the vitality of the Human Development and Family Science. + References Comfort, M. L. (2007). Punishment beyond the Legal Offender. Annual Review of Law and Social Science 3: 271–96. Comfort, M. L. (2008). Doing Time Together: Love and Family in the Shadow of the Prison. Ellwood, D. and C. Jencks. (2004). The Uneven Spread of Single-Parent Families: What Do We Know? Where Do We Look for Answers?” pp. 3–77 in Social Inequality, edited by K. Neckerman. New York: Russell Sage. Goldsmith, E. (2008). Work and Family: Theory, Research and application. Journal of social behavior and personality, 3(4). Foster, H. &. Hagan. J. (2007). Incarceration and Intergenerational Social Exclusion. Social Problems, 54: 399–433. Murray, J. &. Farrington, D. P. (2008). The Effects of Parental Imprisonment on Children. Crime and Justice, 37: 133–206. Peggy, W. (2012-2013). Catalog of Studies. University of Arkansas Sexuality and Human Rights.(2009). International Council on Human Rights Policy. Versoix: Switzerland. Wildeman, C. (2009). Parental imprisonment, the prison boom, and the concentration of childhood disadvantage*. Demography, 46(2): 265-80.