Received: from SATURN.MONTCLAIR.EDU (gemini.montclair.edu [130.68.1.6]) by literacy (8.7.6/8.7.3) with SMTP id PAA06818 for <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov>; Wed, 30 Oct 1996 15:22:34 -0500 (EST) Received: from GEMINI by SATURN.MONTCLAIR.EDU via DEC Message Router; Wed, 30 Oct 96 15:20:57 EST Date: 30 Oct 96 09:20:36 From: "Ruth D. Handel" <HANDELR@saturn.montclair.edu> Subject: Women & family literacy To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Message-ID: <"25615103016991/449191@SATURN"@SATURN.MONTCLAIR.EDU> Status: RO X-Status: Greetings from a long-time lurker! I'm Ruth Handel, member of the Reading faculty of Montclair State University in NJ, and co-developer of a literature-based family literacy model (Family Reading: An Intergenerational Approach to Literacy) used in many school, Even Start and adult literacy programs. At present, I'm under contract for a book on family literacy, and one of the issues to be addressed is the role of gender in family literacy programs. I'm hoping that some of you will want to exchange comments and start a conversation. I've been struck by the fact that the gender of family literacy participants (and providers) is often obscured by their designation as "parents," although the vast majority are mothers. That started me wondering: what difference does it make that the majority of participants are female? Does it make a difference in curriculum? in what ways are women's strengths, needs, and interests reflected in program content? Does it make a difference in relationships? among participants? between participants and the (mainly female) service providers? What would be different if substantial numbers of men enrolled in family literacy programs? What types of family literacy programs best serve women's needs and who decides? And how will the new welfare mandates change those programs? Any comments about all this? In my own experience, I've seen selection of books that appeal especially to women ( good in itself, but can be limiting), and sharing on the basis of common motherhood between participants and providers. Some instructors, however, find it difficult to negotiate their dual role as mother and teacher, especially when called upon to devote extra time to the program when they have children of their own at home. Hope we can start a conversation. Ruth handelr@saturn.montclair.edu Ruth D. Handel Department of Reading and Educational Media Montclair State University Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
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