Basic questions...

What observations of cross-cultural education systems would you need in order to make meaningful comparisons of each system’s effectiveness?

To provide a comprehensive comparative analysis, each education system should be observed thoroughly in multiple areas. Although the school environment itself is obviously critical, the economic status and involvement of the parents and the surrounding community are important as well. According to the text, “intelligence is fostered by a stimulating and responsive environment.”  If an emphasis is placed on academic excellence in a safe and nurturing environment with compassionate instructors familiar to each individual student, positive results are consistently achieved. (Kail 2010)

The growing diversity of student populations and ethnical variances between different school districts presents the challenge of comparing performance on each of these levels without neglecting to account for differences in cultural background. Different tests are currently under development to provide culture-fair testing. The Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT) has been argued to provide fairer results than the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test – III (PPVT-III). Continued research in such culturally unbiased tests will facilitate meaningful comparisons of each system’s effectiveness.

Does the research evidence, to date, support establishing joint custody, as the standard custody arrangement?

Children of divorced parents must undergo considerable adjustment in comparison to children of intact families. The behavioral and emotional adjustments affected include school achievements and general conduct, while the divorce specific adjustments tend to be more related to family relationships and self-esteem. According to our text, children and adolescence adjust more readily when the parents retain joint custody. (Kail, 2010)

This view is supported with meta-analytic research conducted on 33 studies involving over 2600 children from 1982-1999. (Bauserman, 2002) The research states quite clearly that “the results are consistent with the hypothesis that joint custody can be advantageous for children in some cases, possibly by facilitating ongoing positive involvement with both parents.” The study further concluded that the children from joint-custody families were far more similar to children of intact families than children in sole-custody settings.

Evaluate the relative contribution of heredity and environment to development during adolescence.

In the not so distant past, it was common to hear people debate the nature vs. nurture argument. Current research now commonly reflects a combined view, each theory supporting the other. In terms of adolescent development, the text states that “environmental circumstances trigger the release of hormones.” (Kail, 2010)

Many physical, mental and emotional milestones occur during puberty. From sexual characteristics to physical health to moral development, genetics and the stimuli provided in each individual’s experience both provide profound influences on development. Most research surrounding menarche also consistently supports this conclusion.

Although links exist between twins and mother-daughter menstrual periods, nutrition and health are also factors that contribute to the onset of certain pubertal changes. This is clearly illustrated in recent study investigating Life History theories proposing “that humans have evolved to be sensitive to specific features of early childhood environments and that exposure to different environments biases children toward development of different reproductive strategies.” (Ellis, 2007)

This longitudinal study then determined that maternal age at menarche, socioeconomic status, maternal support and the child’s BMI all together accurately predicted sexual development. Moreover, the “quality of parental investment emerged as a central feature of the proximal family environment in relation to pubertal timing,” confirming the life history perspective. (Ellis, 2007)

Given the evidence, would you assume that improvements in sex education would lead to reduced risks STDs and unwanted pregnancy in young adults?

For several reasons will my answer affirm this question. It is without question that “cultural factors strongly influence dating patterns.” (Kail, 2010) As it is in the nature of education to influence culture, so ignorance also contributes accordingly to development.  A national study recently confirmed that “comprehensive sex education programs are effective” because they decipher the mystery of sex and emphasize safe sex. (Kirby, 2001)

Use of contraceptives resolves many of the concerns with teenage promiscuity. Unfortunately many teens do not use them consistently. (Gordon, 1996) Ignorance is one reason, yet education provides a simple solution here. Teens possess an illusion of invulnerability, difficult to penetrate but quickened with the persistence of proper education. The lack of motivation that frequently is thought to be absolved by childbearing can be countered with the volunteer stream fateful single mothers who themselves experienced teen pregnancy, once again education. The final factor presented by Gordon is inability to acquire the contraceptives. I suggest emphasizing that a condom be a requisite item in any sexual active girls purse, instead of the cultural emphasis that suggests the male provide protection.

Bauserman, R. (2002). Child adjustment in joint-custody versus sole-custody arrangements: A meta-analytic view. Journal of Family Psychology, 16, 91-102

Ellis, B. J. and Essex, M. J. (2007). Family Environments, Adrenarche, and Sexual Maturation: A Longitudinal Test of a Life History Model. Child Development, 78: 1799–1817.

Gordon, C.P. (1996). Adolescent decision making: A broadly based theory and its application to the prevention of early pregnancy. Adolescence, 31, 561-584.

Kail, R.V. and Cavanaugh, J.C. (2010). Human Development: A Life-Span View. Belmont: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Kirby, D. (2001). Emerging answers: Research findings on programs to reduce teen pregnancy. Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

McCabe, A. & Champion, T.B. (2010). A Matter of Vocabulary II: Low-Income African American Children’s Performance on the Expressive Vocabulary Test. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 31, 162-169.