Waveland Press - Carol A. Darling, Dawn Cassidy, Sharon M. Ballard

Contemporary family life educators operate within a wide range of settings and with increasingly varied populations and families. In the fourth edition of Family Life Education, Carol Darling and Dawn Cassidy are pleased to have Sharon Ballard join in the process of exposing readers to the diverse landscape of the field while laying a comprehensive, research-based, and practical foundation for current and future family life educators. The authors, who are CFLE Certified, consider the Certified Family Life Educator credential requirements of the National Council on Family Relations throughout the text.

Their broad overview of the field includes a brief history and discussion of family life education as an established profession. New to this edition is the inclusion of several models that provide insight into the discipline and practice. There is expanded information about working with diverse audiences and the skills needed to be a culturally competent family life educator. The addition of the personal experiences and reflections of 17 family life educators working in a variety of settings provides a meaningful context to the continuing evolution and importance of family life education in society. The authors incorporate theory, research, and practice while also providing guidelines for planning, implementing, and evaluating family life education programs. Content on sexuality education, relationship and marriage education, and parenting education highlights some of the more prevalent trends and visible forms of family life education. Comments from 35 international colleagues representing 27 countries and 6 continents facilitate understanding the role of family life education in various international settings. The provision of interactive classroom exercises focuses on building awareness, appreciation of diversity, and global trends. Discussion questions and activities encourage readers to examine issues and apply what they have learned.

“The book has an intuitive approach, thoughtful questions, and meaningful activities.” — Gina McGovern, Central Michigan University

"The program examples help students to gain a perspective of family life education in the field." -- Diane Kegan, Towson University

Part I: FIELD OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION

1. What Is Family Life Education?
Understanding Family Life Education / Defining the Practice of Family Life Education / The Framework for Life Span Family Life Education / Models of Family Life Education / The History of Family Life Education

2. Family Life Education as a Profession
Defining the Profession / Challenges in the Field of Family Life Education / Strategies for Growth / The Professional Family Life Educator / Importance of Professional Development

Part II: PRACTICE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION

3. Understanding Your Audience
Addressing the Needs of Your Audience / Role of Culture / Characteristics and Needs of Various Groups

4. Settings in Family Life Education
Diverse Settings in Family Life Education / Personal Perceptions of Family Life Education Settings

5. Program Design in Family Life Education
Overview of Learning Theories and Styles / The Program Design Process / Evidence-Based Programs: Benefits and Challenges

6. Implementation of Family Life Education
Family Life Education Implementation Framework / Program Environment / Program Participants / Program Design and Delivery / Program Facilitator / Obtaining Feedback on Learning Experiences

7. Evaluation of Family Programs
Understanding Evaluation / Types of Evaluation / Logic Models / Evaluation Design / Cultural Considerations in Evaluation

Part III: CONTENT OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION

8. Relating Theory to Practice
Need for Theory in Family Education / Overview of Theories/Frameworks Used to Study Families / Applying Family Theories in Family Life Education Settings

9. Approaches to Sexuality Education
Adolescent Sexuality and Sexuality Education / Approaches to School-Based Sexuality Education / Parents as Sexuality Educators / Diversity in Sexuality Education / Role of Research and Theory in Sexuality Education / Model of Sexuality—Organizing Sexuality Concepts / Sexuality Educators / Learning Strategies for Sexuality Education / Challenges of Teaching Human Sexuality / Joys of Teaching Human Sexuality

10. Approaches to Relationship and Marriage Education
Marriage Relationships and Well-Being / Marriage: Past and Present / Relationship and Marriage Education / The 5 Cs of Relationship and Marriage Education Model / Consumers—Characteristics of the Participants / Content / Changes / Context / Culture

11. Approaches to Parenting Education
The Importance of Parents and Parenting Education / Societal Changes and Impacts / Definitions and Assumptions / Brief History of Parenting Education / Incorporation of Theory / Approaches to Parenting Education / Parenting Education Program Content / Design and Delivery of Parenting Education / The Parenting Educator

12. International Perspectives on Family Life Education
Need for Global Awareness / Global Issues of Concern to Families / The Meaning of "Family" Throughout the World / Evolving Status of Family Life Education Internationally / Educational Methods to Enhance Cross-Cultural Awareness / Future Directions for International Family Life Education

Appendix A: The Family Life Education Framework
Appendix B: Family Life Education Content Areas: Content and Practice Guidelines
Appendix C: Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) Code of Professional Ethics
Appendix D: Career Opportunities in Family Science
Appendix E: Program Evaluation: The Five-Tiered Approach