A powerful guide to transcending childhood trauma-from the people who've done it It's like a dark thread woven through a piece of cloth: You can't pull it out without unraveling the whole thing. And it shows up here and there among all the other threads. Surviving and Transcending a Traumatic Childhood: The Dark Thread weaves together 90 stories of survival to create a silver lining of hope for those struggling to heal from childhood trauma. This unique book documents the endless challenges facing children and adults who have been subjected to physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, and examines the proactive coping strategies that have made their recoveries a success. Each poignant story reveals an amazing capacity for growth and an ability to adapt emotionally that offers a positive spirit to others suffering abuse. Surviving and Transcending a Traumatic Childhood: The Dark Thread examines how 90 people who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse have been able to rise above the suffering to not only endure, but prevail. In their own words, trauma survivors discuss what happened to them as children and the process they went through to become healthy, happy adults. Their stories are heartfelt, heartbreaking, and sometimes surprising in the variety of traumatic experiences, the intensity of the stress, and the number of people who were forced to deal with multiple issues in childhood, including sexual and physical abuse, alcoholism, neglect, and violence. The stories told in Surviving and Transcending a Traumatic Childhood: The Dark Thread explore: when the trauma began common feelings associated with trauma therapy and support groups getting married escaping abuse the role of religion and spirituality significant people who provided help types of homes where abuse occurred the positive effects of surviving trauma school life patterns of survival and much more Surviving and Transcending a Traumatic Childhood: The Dark Thread also includes a list of resources that might be helpful to those in the process of transcending trauma and a self-study guide for developing a deeper understanding of the healing process.

The strengths of families from culture to culture, when compared to each other, are remarkably similar and give us common ground around the world upon which to unite and develop mutual understanding. Strengths-Based Research and Perspectives: Strong Families Around the World, provides a conceptual framework for global family strengths, discussing the diverse strengths and challenges that families face regardless of location. This book presents 43 expert authors from 18 countries in all seven major areas in the world who explain what it means to be a family in the context of their country and the challenges their country faces in the world today. Focusing on the latest studies of similarities between strong families of different cultures, Strengths-Based Research and Perspectives: Strong Families Around the World presents a wide variety of disciplines, including family studies, family education, family therapy, modern languages, psychology, social work, sociology, cultural anthropology, and nursing. This insightful text centers on the Family Strengths Perspective, a paradigm that not only recognizes that there are problems in families today, but demonstrates clearly how these can be dealt with successfully. This valuable resource provides case study examples, quotations from literature and cultural mythology, tables, figures, and extensive references to give readers an in-depth understanding of the issues from strengths-based perspectives. Topics in Strengths-Based Research and Perspectives: Strong Families Around the World include: an introduction into the Family Strengths Perspective the International Family Strengths Model the propositions of the Family Strengths Perspective how the Family Strengths Perspective fits with other conceptual frameworks families from a global perspective a conceptual framework for understanding global family strengths and challenges Strengths-Based Research and Perspectives: Strong Families Around the World is useful as a text in marriage and family relationships classes, cross-cultural family patterns classes, strengths-based practitioner training classes, and family therapy and family educator training classes. This valuable resource will also be of great interest to family educators, family therapists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and religious counselors.

The Chinese economy is undergoing dramatic changes and the world is watching and changing along with it. The Chinese family is also changing in many ways in response to the economic transformation that is moving the world's most populous nation from an agrarian economy to a global superpower. This is the first book in English to describe and explain the social transformation of the Chinese family from the perspective of Chinese researchers. Presenting a comprehensive view of the Chinese family today and how it has adapted during the process of modernization, it provides description and analysis of the trajectory of changes in family structures, functions, and relationships. It tracks how Chinese marriages and families are becoming more diverse and face a great deal of uncertainty as they evolve in different ways from Western marriages and families. The book is also unique in its use of national statistics and data from large-scale surveys to systematically illustrate these radical and extraordinary changes in family structure and dynamics over the past 30 years. Demonstrating that the de-institutionalization of family values is a slow process in the Chinese context, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of Chinese Studies, Sociology, Social Policy and Family Policy.

The Chinese economy is undergoing dramatic changes and the world is watching and changing along with it. The Chinese family is also changing in many ways in response to the economic transformation that is moving the world's most populous nation from an agrarian economy to a global superpower. This is the first book in English to describe and explain the social transformation of the Chinese family from the perspective of Chinese researchers. Presenting a comprehensive view of the Chinese family today and how it has adapted during the process of modernization, it provides description and analysis of the trajectory of changes in family structures, functions, and relationships. It tracks how Chinese marriages and families are becoming more diverse and face a great deal of uncertainty as they evolve in different ways from Western marriages and families. The book is also unique in its use of national statistics and data from large-scale surveys to systematically illustrate these radical and extraordinary changes in family structure and dynamics over the past 30 years. Demonstrating that the de-institutionalization of family values is a slow process in the Chinese context, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of Chinese Studies, Sociology, Social Policy and Family Policy.

The strengths of families from culture to culture, when compared to each other, are remarkably similar and give us common ground around the world upon which to unite and develop mutual understanding. Strengths-Based Research and Perspectives: Strong Families Around the World, provides a conceptual framework for global family strengths, discussing the diverse strengths and challenges that families face regardless of location. This book presents 43 expert authors from 18 countries in all seven major areas in the world who explain what it means to be a family in the context of their country and the challenges their country faces in the world today. Focusing on the latest studies of similarities between strong families of different cultures, Strengths-Based Research and Perspectives: Strong Families Around the World presents a wide variety of disciplines, including family studies, family education, family therapy, modern languages, psychology, social work, sociology, cultural anthropology, and nursing. This insightful text centers on the Family Strengths Perspective, a paradigm that not only recognizes that there are problems in families today, but demonstrates clearly how these can be dealt with successfully. This valuable resource provides case study examples, quotations from literature and cultural mythology, tables, figures, and extensive references to give readers an in-depth understanding of the issues from strengths-based perspectives. Topics in Strengths-Based Research and Perspectives: Strong Families Around the World include: an introduction into the Family Strengths Perspective the International Family Strengths Model the propositions of the Family Strengths Perspective how the Family Strengths Perspective fits with other conceptual frameworks families from a global perspective a conceptual framework for understanding global family strengths and challenges Strengths-Based Research and Perspectives: Strong Families Around the World is useful as a text in marriage and family relationships classes, cross-cultural family patterns classes, strengths-based practitioner training classes, and family therapy and family educator training classes. This valuable resource will also be of great interest to family educators, family therapists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and religious counselors.

This book presents a wide variety of insights into the effects of smoking on both smokers and non-smokers. Based on extensive questionnaire surveys from across the USA, this research explores the complex dynamics of intimate relationships and how they are affected by smoking, especially with regard to honest communication. The volume delves into the battles which take place behind closed doors as both smokers and non-smokers invoke personal rights and argue their positions. Finally, the authors explore how health policy and public policy can better serve both smokers and non-smokers, and what the future may hold for the regulation of tobacco use.

This book presents a wide variety of insights into the effects of smoking on both smokers and non-smokers. Based on extensive questionnaire surveys from across the USA, this research explores the complex dynamics of intimate relationships and how they are affected by smoking, especially with regard to honest communication. The volume delves into the battles which take place behind closed doors as both smokers and non-smokers invoke personal rights and argue their positions. Finally, the authors explore how health policy and public policy can better serve both smokers and non-smokers, and what the future may hold for the regulation of tobacco use.

This book is part of a two volume set that examines prostitution and sex trafficking on a global scale, with each chapter devoted to a particular country in one of seven "geo-cultural" areas of the world. The 18 chapters in this volume (Volume I) are devoted to examination of the commercial sex industry (CSI) in countries within Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Oceania, while the 16 chapters that comprise Volume II focus exclusively on Europe, Latin America, and North America. Volume II also includes a "global" section, which includes chapters that are globally relevant - rather than those devoted to a particular country or geographic location. The content of each volume, as well as each chapter, reflects great diversity - diversity in focus, writing style, and personal position regarding the commercial sex industry. Diversity extends to the contributors, who are comprised of international scholars, service providers, and policy advocates representing a variety of fields and disciplines, with distinct and varied frames of reference and theoretical underpinnings with regard to the commercial sex industry. In addition to addressing aspects of the CSI across the globe, as impacted by geography and culture, authors have also provided a spectrum of implications of their work - implications ranging from continued scholarship and research, to legislative maneuvers and policy change, to suggestions for collaboration across NGOS, fieldworkers, clinicians, and service providers. Together, the 34 expertly-crafted chapters provide a wealth of knowledge from which to more deeply appreciate and contemplate the global commercial sex industry. By uniting contributors from around the world, this book aims to build a relatively common knowledge base on global prostitution and sex trafficking.

Couples and families have it in their power to be happy with each other and create a pleasant and peaceful home environment in which they live together.

Our aim in writing about getting connected and staying connected is to accentuate the positive - to show clearly and simply how happy couple and family relationships are created and maintained over time. We will be continuously demonstrating what works well in creating strong, enduring relationships. The focus will be on six key couple and family strengths: 1) appreciation and affection for each other; 2) commitment to the family; 3) positive communication; 4) enjoyable time together; 5) a sense of spiritual well-being and shared values; and 6) the ability to manage stress and crisis effectively.

Couples and families have it in their power to be happy with each other and create a pleasant and peaceful home environment in which they live together.

Our aim in writing about getting connected and staying connected is to accentuate the positive - to show clearly and simply how happy couple and family relationships are created and maintained over time. We will be continuously demonstrating what works well in creating strong, enduring relationships. The focus will be on six key couple and family strengths: 1) appreciation and affection for each other; 2) commitment to the family; 3) positive communication; 4) enjoyable time together; 5) a sense of spiritual well-being and shared values; and 6) the ability to manage stress and crisis effectively.

Families are one of society's oldest and most resilient institutions. From the beginning of human life, people have grouped themselves into families to find emotional, physical and collective support. Although in recent years social commentators have predicted the demise of both marriage and the family, they not only survive but continue to change and evolve.

"Family Treasures" is a tool for all different types of individuals and families to better understand the qualities of strong families: appreciation and affection, commitment, positive communication, successful management of stress and crisis, spiritual well-being and enjoyable time together. Written in conversational style, "Family Treasures" empowers families to assess their own strengths and to develop a plan for building upon their successes. Within each chapter are family inventories and a variety of family-tested activities that can be used to enhance the quality of the family.

""Family Treasures" is one of those great resources that has strong research at its base and can be used by a variety of disciplines. The assessment tools and activities can be readily used by professionals and families to strengthen family relationships." Linda Skogrand, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Extension Specialist Utah State University

How does a developmental disability affect an individual throughout the course of life? What impact does the disability have on the individual's family? What strengths do families use to cope with these disabilities? What do they do that works? And, what doesn't work? These are the kinds of questions we have been asking individuals and families in our research over the past 15 years. This book was written to report their stories, and to honor these people who have shared their lives and their cries from the heart with us. It is both a positive book and a realistic book: full of love and grief and tenderness and anger and kindness and sorrow and courage. It is as real as the people who gave us the gift of their lives.

This book is part of a two-volume set that examines prostitution and sex trafficking on a global scale, with each chapter devoted to a particular country in one of seven geo-cultural areas of the world. The 16 chapters in this volume (Volume II) are devoted to examination of the commercial sex industry (CSI) in countries within Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Oceania, while the 18 chapters comprising Volume I focus exclusively on Europe, Latin America, and North America. This volume also includes a "global" section, which includes chapters that are globally relevant - rather than those devoted to a particular country or geographic location. The content of each Volume, as well as each chapter, reflects great diversity - diversity in focus, writing style, and personal position regarding the commercial sex industry. Diversity extends to the contributors, who are comprised of international scholars, service providers, and policy advocates representing a variety of fields and disciplines, with distinct and varied frames of reference and theoretical underpinnings with regard to the commercial sex industry. In addition to addressing aspects of the CSI across the globe, as impacted by geography and culture, authors have also provided a spectrum of implications of their work - implications ranging from continued scholarship and research, to legislative maneuvers and policy change, to suggestions for collaboration across NGOS, fieldworkers, clinicians, and service providers. Together, the 34 expertly-crafted chapters provide a wealth of knowledge from which to more deeply appreciate and contemplate the global commercial sex industry. By uniting contributors from around the world, this book aims to build a relatively common knowledge base on global prostitution and sex trafficking.

This book is part of a two volume set that examines prostitution and sex trafficking on a global scale, with each chapter devoted to a particular country in one of seven "geo-cultural" areas of the world. The 18 chapters in this volume (Volume I) are devoted to examination of the commercial sex industry (CSI) in countries within Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Oceania, while the 16 chapters that comprise Volume II focus exclusively on Europe, Latin America, and North America. Volume II also includes a "global" section, which includes chapters that are globally relevant - rather than those devoted to a particular country or geographic location. The content of each volume, as well as each chapter, reflects great diversity - diversity in focus, writing style, and personal position regarding the commercial sex industry. Diversity extends to the contributors, who are comprised of international scholars, service providers, and policy advocates representing a variety of fields and disciplines, with distinct and varied frames of reference and theoretical underpinnings with regard to the commercial sex industry. In addition to addressing aspects of the CSI across the globe, as impacted by geography and culture, authors have also provided a spectrum of implications of their work - implications ranging from continued scholarship and research, to legislative maneuvers and policy change, to suggestions for collaboration across NGOS, fieldworkers, clinicians, and service providers. Together, the 34 expertly-crafted chapters provide a wealth of knowledge from which to more deeply appreciate and contemplate the global commercial sex industry. By uniting contributors from around the world, this book aims to build a relatively common knowledge base on global prostitution and sex trafficking.

This book is part of a two-volume set that examines prostitution and sex trafficking on a global scale, with each chapter devoted to a particular country in one of seven geo-cultural areas of the world. The 16 chapters in this volume (Volume II) are devoted to examination of the commercial sex industry (CSI) in countries within Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Oceania, while the 18 chapters comprising Volume I focus exclusively on Europe, Latin America, and North America. This volume also includes a "global" section, which includes chapters that are globally relevant -- rather than those devoted to a particular country or geographic location. The content of each Volume, as well as each chapter, reflects great diversity -- diversity in focus, writing style, and personal position regarding the commercial sex industry. Diversity extends to the contributors, who are comprised of international scholars, service providers, and policy advocates representing a variety of fields and disciplines, with distinct and varied frames of reference and theoretical underpinnings with regard to the commercial sex industry. In addition to addressing aspects of the CSI across the globe, as impacted by geography and culture, authors have also provided a spectrum of implications of their work -- implications ranging from continued scholarship and research, to legislative maneuvers and policy change, to suggestions for collaboration across NGOS, fieldworkers, clinicians, and service providers. Together, the 34 expertly-crafted chapters provide a wealth of knowledge from which to more deeply appreciate and contemplate the global commercial sex industry. By uniting contributors from around the world, this book aims to build a relatively common knowledge base on global prostitution and sex trafficking. Viewed from a unified, global perspective, it is hoped that this common understanding will lead to a grounded theory and integrated view with applicable suggestions for international efforts aimed at interventio

Immigration to America is an issue that often sparks intense emotional reactions_from passion and compassion to anger and even rage. Often missing from the dialogue, however, is discussion of the strengths of immigrant newcomers_the abilities and positive characteristics they bring as individuals and families to our country, and how these contribute to the agency, growth, and vitality of America. This book was intended to move the discussion of immigration, generally speaking, and of immigrant families specifically, to include how and in what ways new immigrants to America (those arriving within the past thirty years) have changed the social and geocultural landscape of this country in positive, beneficial, and valuable ways. The book is comprised of nineteen chapters written by scholars with expertise on immigrant families representing every corner of the globe_from Africa and India to Europe and Central America. In each chapter, the unique factors, processes, and worldviews which help shape and mold the immigrant experience are articulated, as are the strengths immigrant newcomers bring to America. In addition, beyond explicating the strengths of immigrant families, each of the nineteen contributing chapters focuses on the implications of these strengths for families, communities, and the culture. Thus, the book provides a springboard from which to answer the application and 'what now' questions for those who work with immigrant families in a variety of capacities_from academicians and researchers to educators and human-service providers.

Immigration to America is an issue that often sparks intense emotional reactions from passion and compassion to anger and even rage. Often missing from the dialogue, however, is discussion of the strengths of immigrant newcomers the abilities and positive characteristics they bring as individuals and families to our country, and how these contribute to the agency, growth, and vitality of America. This book was intended to move the discussion of immigration, generally speaking, and of immigrant families specifically, to include how and in what ways new immigrants to America (those arriving within the past thirty years) have changed the social and geocultural landscape of this country in positive, beneficial, and valuable ways. The book is comprised of nineteen chapters written by scholars with expertise on immigrant families representing every corner of the globe from Africa and India to Europe and Central America. In each chapter, the unique factors, processes, and worldviews which help shape and mold the immigrant experience are articulated, as are the strengths immigrant newcomers bring to America. In addition, beyond explicating the strengths of immigrant families, each of the nineteen contributing chapters focuses on the implications of these strengths for families, communities, and the culture. Thus, the book provides a springboard from which to answer the application and "what now" questions for those who work with immigrant families in a variety of capacities from academicians and researchers to educators and human-service providers."