Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal current issue

Editorial Note

McFadden, J. R. — 2009-05-28

Special Feature: Immigrant Parents' Concerns Regarding Their Children's Education in the United States

Nesteruk, O., Marks, L., Garrison, M.E. B. — 2009-05-28

A growing body of research suggests that as immigrant families assimilate into U.S. culture, their children's academic achievements and aspirations decline. This article explores possible reasons for this finding from the perspective of immigrant parents from Eastern European countries whose children attend U.S. schools. In-depth, qualitative interviews are conducted with 50 married mothers and fathers who hold professional-status employment. The data are analyzed using open and axial coding approach and three central, recurring themes emerge: (a) Parental Influences: "Education is a must. . . . The sky is the limit"; (b) The Educational System: "Parental guidance and resources are required"; and (c) Sociocultural Influences: "Everything here is about making money. . . . But what about our children?" Supporting, illustrative narratives are presented in connection with each theme to explain the perspectives of these immigrant parents on their children's schooling in the United States, and to add other tentative factors for further research into the decline of the children's academic achievement and aspirations with longer residence in the United States. Implications for family and consumer scientists are presented.

Real Estate Brokerage, Homebuyer Training, and Homeownership Sustainability for Housing Assistance Programs

Archer, W., Fitterman, S., Smith, M. T. — 2009-05-28

This study examines a previously overlooked factor in the rate of default on home loans by marginal first-time homebuyers; namely, the purchase transaction process. In particular, the study examines the potential for the type of initial contact in a homebuyer assistance program to affect the likelihood of default on a subsequent home loan. Using data from 41 state funded local assistance programs in Florida, the study is able to examine the relationship of program default rates to the source of applicant for assistance. Specifically, it examines the explanatory capacity of the percentage of applicants who had a contract to purchase prior to applying for assistance, indicated that the applicant already has engaged with a broker or lender. It finds that the percentage of applicants for assistance who already have engaged with a broker or lender is very significantly and positively relate to the program default rate.

Consumer Perception of Food-Borne Illness Risks Before and After the 2006 E. Coli Events

Brady, J. T., Li, P., Brown, D. — 2009-05-28

Late in 2006 there were two well-publicized outbreaks of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in the United States. One is traced back to contaminated spinach and the other is connected to contaminated lettuce. By looking at the relative rankings of food-borne illness relative to other risks (i.e., war or terrorism, accidents at home, accidents away from home, environmental disaster, natural disaster, and infectious diseases), changes that occurred following the outbreaks are examined. Risks are defined for the project participants as the chance of sudden, unexpected injury, illness, or death. Changes in consumer behavior and attitude are also examined. The ranking of risks associated with food-borne illness increases significantly following the outbreaks, but behaviors and attitudes do not change significantly. The media play a role in increasing awareness. People who listen to news on TV or on the radio daily have significant changes in their ranking of food-borne illness risk; however, those that do not listen to media news as often do not have significant differences in their responses. Gender, age, and the presence of children in the home also mattered in determining significant changes in the ranking of food-borne illnesses.

Body Satisfaction and Attitude Theory: Linkages with Normative Compliance and Behaviors Undertaken to Change the Body

Lee, H.-H., Damhorst, M. L., Paff Ogle, J. — 2009-05-28

Reasoned action theory is adapted to study the influence of body satisfaction and subjective norm (the role of others) on behavioral intention and behavior to change the body. Data are collected from 301 female undergraduate students. Causal model analyses are conducted by a maximum-likelihood estimation procedure using LISREL 8.72. Overall, fit of the model is highly adequate. Participants who have high body satisfaction scores are less likely to want to change their bodies. Participants who think that significant others (parents, siblings, and friends) want them to change their bodies and who are inclined to comply with those significant others are more likely to want to change their bodies. Participants with greater intention to change their bodies are more likely to try to change them. The results support reasoned action theory.

Cultural Practice as a Methodology for a Fashion Designer's Self-Expression and a New Design Possibility

Cho, K. — 2009-05-28

This article demonstrates that cultural practices can serve as subject and methodology for designers in developing new ideas, shaping objects, and projecting the future through design. The culture of dancheong—decorative coloring on Korean buildings and items—serves as inspiration for commentary and self-expression for the design in dress creation. Through the design process, the philosophy, cultural beliefs, and visual elements found in dancheong serve to shape the designer's intent and concept and to inspire the creative energy of the designer. The author's effort was centered on balancing the aesthetic, the expressive, and the functional as a garment. The designer fulfilled her role as a person who conveys intent, imbues a meaning, and adds value to the design.

Generational Theory and Home Economics: Future Proofing the Profession

Pendergast, D. — 2009-05-28

Generational theory has much to offer the home economics profession. This article explains sociocultural generational theory, traces the evolution of home economics informed by generational theory, and considers the implications of generational theory as a mechanism to "future proof" the home economics profession. In particular, insights into the unique traits, strengths, and abilities for the key baby boomer, Generation X, and the millennial generation cohorts are investigated. It is argued that the profession must adapt strategically to harness the potentialities of each generation. Several clear imperatives emerge from the application of generational theory to the home economics profession at this moment in time—the need for (a) harnessing and retaining the professional experience of baby boomers, (b) retaining Generation X and facilitating their shift to the leadership of the profession, and (c) attracting and retaining Generation Y. Strategic initiatives to achieve these imperatives are recommended and examples provided.

Evaluation of the Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Food Consumption Behaviors of High School Students Before and After Completion of a Nutrition Course

Watson, L. C., Kwon, J., Nichols, D., Rew, M. — 2009-05-28

Adolescents may lower their risk of becoming overweight and lead a healthier lifestyle by improving their nutrition knowledge and attitudes towards nutrition and health. A quasi-experimental design was used to assess nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and food consumption behaviors of students 14 to 19 years old before and after a nutrition course in a North Texas high school. The intervention group (n = 45) was enrolled in elective family and consumer science courses and received nutrition and health education, whereas the control group (n = 30) received no nutrition education. Identical pre- and posttest questionnaires were completed at the beginning and the end of a semester by students in both groups. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation with chi-square analyses, and independent and paired-sample t tests were calculated using SPSS. No differences in the dependent variables existed between the two groups before the intervention, but after the intervention, only the intervention group significantly improved in nutrition knowledge, some attitude scores, and milk and breakfast consumption behaviors. The findings of this study indicate that nutrition education may positively influence the knowledge, attitudes, and eating behaviors of high school students.

Effects of Household Fabric Softeners on Thermal Comfort of Cotton and Polyester Fabrics After Repeated Launderings

Chen-Yu, J. H., Jiangman Guo, , Kemp-Gatterson, B. — 2009-05-28

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of household fabric softeners on the thermal comfort of fabrics after repeated laundering cycles. Several textile properties can influence thermal comfort of a garment. This study focuses on two of these properties, air permeability and water vapor transmission. A 3 x 2 x 3 experimental design was developed with three fabric softener treatments (i.e., rinse-cycle softener, dryer-sheet softener, and no softener), two fabric types (i.e., 100% cotton and 100% polyester), and three laundering cycles (i.e., 1, 5, and 25). Results showed that both rinse-cycle softener and dryer-sheet softener did not have a significant influence on the air permeability and water vapor transmission of polyester specimens. Significantly different results, however, were found in cotton specimens. The rinse-cycle softener significantly decreased the air permeability of cotton specimens, but the dryer-sheet softener did not. Repeated launderings had a greater effect on the reduction of air permeability of cotton specimens treated with the rinse-cycle softener than the dryer-sheet softener. For the water vapor transmission, both rinse-cycle softener and dryer-sheet softener treatments significantly decreased the water vapor transmission of cotton specimens. The influence of softener treatment started right after the first laundering cycle. Repeated launderings did not cause significant differences in the effect of fabric softener treatments on water vapor transmission.