Table of Contents for IC#21

Caring for Families

Nurturing the root of culture

Originally published in Spring 1989
Copyright (c)1989, 1997 by Context Institute

About This Issue
by Robert Gilman

Issue Theme: Caring for Families

The Essence of Family by Vicki Robin
Alternative families reveal what all families have in common

The Changing American Family by Arvonne S. Fraser
Facing the contradictions between perception and reality

Thoughts While Cleaning the Living Room by Donella H. Meadows
Re-valuing domestic work for both women and men

In Search of a Golden Age by Stephanie Coontz
There has never been an era of the “ideal family,” says this author and historian, except in the world of 1950s TV shows

I Can’t Imagine Life Without Him an interview with Tonya Green, by Alan AtKisson
A young single parent talks candidly about her life

Equity Between Generations an interview with Sam Preston, by Alan AtKisson
A demographer explains trends that have left more children in poverty and suggests ways to ensure their well-being

Swedish Family Policy an interview with Inga Gustafsson, by Robert & Diane Gilman
Sweden’s social security supports both parents and children

The Family Across Two Cultures an interview with Shoko & Ellis Amdur, by Alan AtKisson
The experience of a Japanese-American family provides an opportunity for understanding both cultures more deeply

Hospitable Families by Victor H. Nelson
The rituals and blessings of traditional hospitality can serve as models to help strengthen and sustain families

Building a Cohousing Community by Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett
Importing the Danish concept of community-by-design

The Population Puzzle by Frances Moore Lappé and Rachel Schurrnan
Success stories in controlling population growth reveal its root cause to be poverty among disempowered families

Making the Connections by Catherine Collis
To understand the connections between people and to reinforce its own bonds, this family traveled around the world

We’re All In This Together by Robert Gilman
Providing quality childhoods to the next generation of planetary stewards is a critical imperative

Planetary Pulse *Grassroots Activism *“Decade of the Rainforest Conference” * Right Livelihood Award * Round-the-World Walk * Pledging Responsibility * Uruguay’s Courageous Citizens * Empowering Students * Snails and Sewers