This week’s family-related news included an in-depth look at the fate of children when their mothers are incarcerated, an attempt by colleges to emotionally support their students, the importance of a parent’s connection to their baby, the Supreme Court’s acceptance of a case involving same-sex marriage accommodation, a look at how to make mental health resources widely available to young people after they graduate from college, an exploration into the high cost of child marriage — especially in poorer countries, the revised travel ban’s effect on extended families, the long awaited approval of same-sex marriage in Germany, a denial by Texas’ highest court to extend benefits to same-sex couples, and finally the vicissitudes of being a triplet.
As Women Go to Jail in Record Numbers, Who’s Watching Out for Their Kids? No One Cary Aspinwall, The Dallas News, June 22, 2017 No one in the criminal justice system is responsible for the safety of children whose mothers go to jail, an investigation by The Dallas Morning News has found. Not in North Texas, and not in most communities across the country… When their mothers get locked up, the children often suffer.
On Campus, Failure is on the Syllabus Jessica Bennett, The New York Times, June 24, 2017 A Smith College initiative called “Failing Well” is one of a crop of university programs that aim to help high achievers cope with basic setbacks… “I think colleges are revamping what they believe it means to be well educated — that it’s not about your ability to write a thesis statement, but to bounce back when you’re told it doesn’t measure up,” said Ms. Simmons, the author of two books on girls’ self-esteem.
Why a Baby’s Connection with a Parent Matters Perri Klass, M.D., The New York Times, June 26, 2017 As they grow up, children need to explore the world in a widening circle of strange situations, experiencing what is new and by definition somewhat stressful. They need to move gradually further and further away from their parents, but they need to know they can come back for reassurance and comfort.
Justices to Hear Case on Religious Objections to Same-Sex Marriage Adam Liptak, The New York Times, June 26, 2017 The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear an appeal from a Colorado baker with religious objections to same-sex marriage who had lost a discrimination case for refusing to create a cake to celebrate this union.The case will be a major test of a clash between laws that ban businesses open to the public from discriminating based on sexual orientation and claims of religious freedom.
The Post-College Therapy Void Caroline Kitchener, The Atlantic, June 26, 2017 Studies show college students benefit immensely—both personally and academically—from having access to a licensed therapist. But as colleges bolster their mental-health resources, they should also consider how to prepare their students to lose them or connect them with resources in their communities post graduation.
The Billion Dollar Cost of Child Marriage Nurith Aizenman, NPR, June 27, 2017 A new report by the World Bank and the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) analyzes the impact of child marriage on the national budgets and economic growth of 25 countries where at least one in three women marry before age 18. Its conclusion: By 2030 child marriage will cost developing countries billions of dollars in health-care and education costs as well as lost earnings potential.
Stepsister, Yes; Grandma, No: U.S. Sets Guidelines for Revised Travel Ban Gardiner Harris and Ron Nixon, The New York Times, June 28, 2017 The State Department issued new guidelines to American embassies and consulates on applying a limited travel ban against foreign visitors from six predominantly Muslim countries. The guidelines followed the Supreme Court’s decision to allow parts of the Trump administration’s revised travel ban to move forward, while also imposing certain limits, as the court prepares to hear arguments in October on the scope of presidential power over border security and immigration.
German Parliament Approves Same-Sex Marriage Alison Smale and David Shimer, The New York Times, June 30, 2017 The lower house of the German Parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage after a brisk but emotional debate… The law will play a significant role in combating discrimination, by helping make same-sex relationships a social norm in Germany, as they have become in many countries across Europe.
Texas Supreme Court Rules Against Benefits For Same-Sex Couples Amita Kelly, NPR, June 30, 2017 The Texas Supreme Court on Friday sided with same-sex marriage opponents who argued that the city of Houston should not have extended its benefits policy to married same-sex couples. The court threw out a lower court ruling that had favored the benefits and sent the case back to a lower court.
The Ups and Downs of Togetherness and Independence When You’re a Triplet Liyna Anwar and Heidi Glenn, NPR, June 30, 2017 Ten-year-old triplets share everything from a birthday to a bedroom. But in a StoryCorps booth in Bloomington, Ind., they discover — even as they finish each other’s sentences — that there are still some things they needed to learn about each other.
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