Abstract
This paper discusses the Florida ban on gay adoption, as well as other legal and ethical aspects of same sex parenting. The paper explores the question of whether children brought up by gay parents are at a disadvantage in any way and uses professional research to back up the findings.

From the Paper
"Despite the number of laws passed or the numerous movies or television shows that support gay rights, the negative conations associated with same-sex parent adoption continue to taint both attitudes and laws. Society is still laden with negative biases against homosexual adoption, and against gays in general (Johnson, et al., 1995) which severely limits their rights as people and as parents."

Tags:donnell, homosexual, rosie, lesbian, American, Academy, of, Pediatrics

Abstract
Many factors have been linked to domestic violence, including family modeling, culture and substance abuse. This paper provides an overview of several of these factors. It shows how alcohol and substance abuse are directly linked to spousal and child abuse and how this problem is carried to the next generation. The paper also examines the social learning theory which contends that boys who witnessed violence towards their mothers by their fathers are more likely to beat their own partners. Finally, the paper looks at the link between ethnic groups and domestic violence.

From the Paper
"One of the factors that has often been cited as leading to a propensity toward domestic violence as an adult is being the victim of violence as a child. The research on this seems to be ambiguous, however, with some studies showing a clear association and other studies indicated limited support for that theory. For example, Simons et al. (1995) explored four different sets of data in a study of Midwestern families and found only limited support for the idea that children who were subject to severe physical discipline were likely to be violent toward their spouses and children. On the other hand, Doumas et al. (1994) found association between both early child abuse and witnessing marital aggression and later adult domestic violence."

Tags:disinhibition, physical, discipline, Hispanic

Abstract
This paper examines the structural family therapy model of family therapy. The paper provides a detailed literature review of the structural approach to family therapy. The paper also discusses the history of this model, the structural outlook, structural family theory, structural family therapy, and some populations where structural family therapy has been successful. The writer concludes with an explanation of her personal perspective and idea of family therapy.

Outline:
Abstract
Literature Review
Personal Perspective
Conclusion

From the Paper
"There are many models of family therapy out there in use in this day and age. Many counselors choose to be eclectic in their choices of therapeutic techniques, which is encouraged in most professional counseling training programs. There are the Psychodynamic outlook, Transgenerational models, Experiential models, Strategic models, the Milan Systemic model, the Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral models, Social Construction models, and Psychoeducational models. All of these models of family therapy are very useful in many ways. This paper will discuss another model of family therapy, that of the Structural model."

Tags:social, system, theory, dysfunctional, subsystems, boundaries

From the Paper
"Elaine Tyler May's Homeward Bound: American Families in the Cold War Era captures the underlying tensions that belies the portrait of the traditional American family from the '40s to the late '60s. In May's depiction, the family was upheld as a bastion of security and domestic bliss. Men were willing to sacrifice the autonomy and freedom of bachelorhood to assume the responsibility of being the primary breadwinner of a family. Concomitantly, women gave up their pursuits in education and careers to take on the domestic responsibilities of wife and mother (May 23). However, in her book, May highlights the individual tragedies of these nuclear families that appeared to have everything any family could have wanted. The seething discontent of the individuals in these families would ultimately lead to the disintegration of traditional family units (May 201-2)."

Tags:BOOK, REVIEWS, NON-FICTION

Abstract
A persuasive speech essay on why it is important to tell your loved one you love them every time before they go to bed or before you leave them, because you never know if it will be the last time you see them alive. The paper uses the tragic events of September 11th to reiterate the importance of this act.

From the Paper
"September 11th changed all of us. Although we've endured numerous tragedies during the last few years, such as school shootings and the Oklahoma bombing, watching the events of last September unfold before our eyes on television hit our hearts like never before. We listened to family members of victims as they told their stories of loss. And again and again we heard how their loved ones trapped in the World Trade Towers or on the fatal flights that crashed in Pennsylvania and into the Pentagon had called them on office phones or cell phones to say "I love you" one last time. And again and again we heard about the comfort it brought to them."

Tags:romantic, relationship, Oklahoma, bombing, World, Trade, Towers

Abstract
This paper looks at studies which discuss whether the order of child's birth (first born, second born, etc) influences their personality and future. It compares how different children function according to their birth order and whether there are similarities in these. Psychological examinations are also performed and examined.

From the Paper
"In previous years there have been quite a bit of research conducted on the subject of birth order and personality. However research on this matter has declined in at least the last 10 to 20 years. In all regards, it is the common perception that people who are first-born have the strongest disposition and have leadership tendencies. Research also tends to point out that children who are first-born usually have greater achievements in their professional careers. By the same token, these students are also more likely to have more mental disturbances than their younger siblings ( Nyman). There are conflicting results as to the popularity factor concerning the first born. Some researchers content that the first-born are generally more popular, thus more out-going. While others contend that the first-born are less popular and perhaps more stand-offish (Nyman)."

Tags:sibling, rival, pressure, leader, follower, birth, order

Abstract
Collective efficacy, social capital and community empowerment have all been suggested to play a vital role in reducing and controlling crime in communities. Not surprisingly, many communities targeted for change are those that suffer disadvantage, being exposed to risk factors such as unemployment, family instability, low education levels and poverty. This paper addresses the challenges faced when implementing capacity building programs, and evaluates the evidence for the effectiveness of these approaches in reducing crime.

From the Paper
"Not only does this get the community helping themselves, but also bestows a sense of empowerment on them and makes them feel important and a valued member of society who can make a change in their community; this empowerment may have not been the initial aim of the program but filters through automatically due to the sense of accomplishment an individual feels. Empowerment can be the most important aim in any community development that takes place as it "provides people with the recourses, opportunities, knowledge and skills" to change their own future and to contribute to the entire community."

Tags:Pathways, Model, criminal, Latency, Model, social, capital

Abstract
Analysis of book based on therapy sessions of a fictitious family (a composite of real cases). Napier gives an account of these sessions together with his family therapy theory and practice. The therapeutic process. Therapy construction used. Basic patterns and problems of clients. Contends book presents an excellent example of the therapist's reasoning and practice.

From the Paper
""The Family Crucible" (1988) is Augustus Napier's artfully written account of the course of therapy undertaken by the Brice family and conducted by the author and his former teacher Carl Whitaker. With the narrative flair of a novelist Napier immediately gets the reader caught up in the problems of the fictionalized family; a composite consisting of one main case history supplemented by details and incidents from the cases of other families that Napier and Whitaker had helped. In a number of chapters the account of the Brice's sessions is supplemented by general discussions of the theory and practice of family therapy. Other cases are briefly introduced as examples but, for the most part, Napier uses aspects of the Brices' therapy to illustrate his points. These discussions are designed to address issues that may have arisen for the reader in the preceding..."

Abstract
This paper discusses five factors that are believed to be significant in the occurrence and prevention of juvenile delinquency. It explores the ways in which the family, community, law enforcement, probation and courts can utilize the information to improve the juvenile justice system. Finally, the paper gives recommendations for future improvements to the juvenile justice system.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Family
Education
Environment
Social Status
Religion
Law Enforcement
Courts
Probation
Conclusion

From the Paper
"With the recent influx of juvenile crime, especially serious crimes, the juvenile justice system has taken a lot of criticisms as to its mission and effectiveness. Society as a whole is becoming more interested which prompts law makers and law enforcers to take a harder look at the current system. During this paper, we are going to discuss five concepts that we believe to be the most significant social facts in the occurrence and/or prevention of juvenile delinquency. Those five concepts are family, education, environment, social status, and religion. Finally, we are going to discuss ways that we believe may help reduce juvenile delinquency in the future."

Tags:criminal, enforcement, delinquency, probation

Abstract
This paper offers an in-depth review of how the family has been depicted in TV sit-coms and the like over the past 50 years. It examines dozens of shows and discusses how the roles of the husband and wife, and the values within the family has evolved. Also looks at racial issues.

From the Paper
"In the fifty years between the first season of I Love Lucy to the first season of The Osbournes, the ethics, mores and socio-economic configuration of the TV-viewing audience has changed greatly. Closely aligned to the revaluated morals of contemporary society have been the representations of family on television. Of particular significance is the way in which the sitcom family is depicted on American TV. Throughout the history of the sitcom, the mother and father and children have adhered to a consistent and perpetuated set of stereotypes informing the way they act. Largely, these representations are dictated by the social class and economic situation of the characters. From their beginnings in a pleasant romp in suburban middle class existence, the members of the sitcom family have become edgier and more prone to throw insults at each other. Conflict has always threatened the family, but with a new age comes transformed values and new forms of danger to the family unit. Issues of sexuality, violence and substance abuse have increasingly played a major role in the lives of TV families over the past three decades. Though the troubles they face may be more serious than the fifties sitcom predicament, and they have changed greatly from the respectable ideals of the fifties sitcom, the family, as will be demonstrated, is perhaps as strong, if not stronger than ever."

Tags:bewitched, brady, bunch, children, cosby, dick, dyke, families, family, married, osbournes, roseanne, show, simpsons, step, van