This David Broder's column, titled Strong Families, Strong Young Minds, appeared in the Nov. 27 Washington Post. Happy Thanksgiving.

In time for this great day come two new reports suggesting that the American family is looking strong and that we can, if we wish, make the future even brighter for the youngest among us.

One of the studies comes from the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. Each year since 1975, the institute has asked a huge sample of 50,000 students in grades 8, 10 and 12 questions about their life goals and attitudes. One of those questions is: How important is it to you to have a good marriage and family life?

It turns out that it is just as vital a goal for today's young people as it was for their parents. In 1977, 85 percent of the males and 91 percent of the females rated marriage and family as being extremely or quite important to them. In 2001, the figures were 88 percent and 93 percent.

Posted by Bill at 11/27/2002 11:06:29 AM | Link

 
See the JAMS photo gallery to view a few shots of the dinner that was held Saturday to celebrate the completion of The Guide.

Posted by Griff at 11/24/2002 07:52:27 PM | Link

 
PFF is featured in this article on page 7D of the Nov. 16 USA Today: Extracurricular burnout: More families are joining a movement to stop kids' 'overscheduling madness'

The latest effort comes from Putting Family First, a Minnesota-based organization that recently mailed a local guide to about 4,600 families in achievement-oriented Wayzata, Minn., a suburb of Minneapolis. In part, the consumers' guide pinpoints how much time and money certain local extracurricular activities require so families can evaluate the commitment involved.

The article contains quotes from PFF's Amanda Richards, Margaret ''Bugs'' Peterschmidt, and Bill Doherty.

Posted by Griff at 11/19/2002 12:12:44 PM | Link

 

In an on-the-go nation that prides itself on "getting by" on very little sleep, children are the latest victims of this cultural disinclination toward rest. But in school-age children, unyielding classroom schedules, after-school activities and homework are at war with sleep. Dahl estimates 10% to 30% of children suffer symptoms of insufficient sleep. It's especially true for adolescents, who struggle to get enough sack-time as body clocks shift, activities keep them up later and school buses come earlier. "Young people are leading an incredibly hectic life," Dahl says. "Sleep is the one thing that goes."

See the complete article, Sleep trouble in school-age kids in the November 15-17 USA Weekend.

Posted by Susan at 11/17/2002 04:29:18 PM | Link

 
The "Family Consumer guide to Kids'Activities" was mailed the end of last week to Wayzata (MN) school district families with children in grades pre-K thru 6th. While some families already received theirs on Saturday, due to Veterans Day, the remaining Guides should be received by Tuesday, Nov. 12. The Guide is also available for downloading or ordering.

Let us know what you think by visiting our Poll or click on the "comment" link at the end of this posting.

Posted by Susan at 11/11/2002 10:56:41 AM | Link

 
Putting Family First volunteers have been working long and hard this summer and fall. In an article in today's Star Tribune Variety section titled, Measuring the family cost of youth activities, HJ Cummins introduces the Family Consumer Guide to Kids' Activities to the public. It's now available for downloading or ordering.

Posted by Susan at 11/05/2002 07:38:01 AM | Link