Diverse Families: A Dialogue about Reflective Practice

Vol. 12, No. 2
ISSN: 1546-2676

Kappa Omicron Nu FORUM,
Vol. 11, No. 1. 
ISSN: 1546-2676. Editor: Dorothy I. Mitstifer. Official publication of Kappa Omicron Nu National Honor Society. Member, Association of College Honor Societies. Copyright © 2000. Kappa Omicron Nu FORUM is a refereed, semi-annual publication serving the profession of family and consumer sciences. The opinions expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of the society. Further information: Kappa Omicron Nu, PO Box 798, Okemos, MI 48805-0798. Telephone: (727) 940-2658 ext. 2003

Interested in submitting an article to KON FORUM? Papers are now being accepted for review.

Introduction to 
Diverse Families: a Dialogue about Reflective Practice

Katia Paz Goldfarb

Dr. Goldfarb is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Studies, University of New Mexico

This collection of essays focuses on applications of the Reflective Human Action theory (Andrews, Mitstifer, Rehm, & Vaughn, 1995) in the arena of family diversity. The theme underlying this issue explores how professionals and organizations, connected with our field, are working, researching, teaching, contributing, serving, and analyzing the diversity represented in today's families using the Reflective Human Action theory to further our understanding.

In our profession, we deal with individuals, families, and groups. Diversity is becoming a norm in modern times. Families encompass a variety of familial relationships as well as different cultures, religions, ethnicities, races, national origins, and socioeconomic status. The goal of this issue is to use the Reflective Human Action theory to frame our study, work, and understanding of programs, services, research, policy, and teaching related to a wide variety of families. The essays may give other professionals ideas and inspiration for their practice involving family diversity.

As a nonpositional leadership perspective, Reflective Human Action features the principles of accepting chaos, sharing information, developing relationships, and embracing vision--all supported by authenticity, ethical sensibility, and spirituality. But most importantly, this theory encourages reflective engagement--searching for meaning and thinking about what you are doing while you are doing it.

Invitation

Additional articles will be considered for publication upon peer review. We hope that others will be challenged to apply Reflective Human Action to other cases of family diversity at macro and micro levels. Topics appropriate for this publication include, but are not limited to, same-sex families, divorce, step-families, grandparents raising grandchildren, ethnic minority families, marginalized families, multirace and multiethnic families, multigenerational families, homeless families, and commuter families. 

Authors are asked to focus on the strengths of families rather than pathologies or deficits. The format of the articles may vary from personal experiences to research-based essays. Thoughtful analysis will help us, as individuals and collectively as a profession, achieve the mission to which we are dedicated: empowered individuals, strengthened families, and enabled communities.

Reference