A group of African American parents sitting around a Milledgeville
recreation center are talking about their kids. “I just
want him to do his best,” says one father of his son.
The group nods in assent, and then someone asks about their
fears for their children. “Lord have mercy,” exclaims
one mother. They begin to call out a chorus of concerns.
Seven weeks from now, after these parents and their eleven-year-olds
have completed the Strong African American Families (SAAF)
program, they will have discussed a broad range of topics
relevant to African American youth growing up in rural Georgia.
UGA researchers Gene H. Brody and Velma McBride Murry (College
of Family and Consumer Sciences) developed SAAF based on two
ten-year studies of how African American families and communities
can help children succeed. The goal of the program is to prevent
substance abuse and early sexual activity among rural youth.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to find out
why things go wrong,” Brody insists. “But, we
ask ourselves why some kids do well in school, have good family
and peer relationships and are free from behavioral and emotional
problems even though they live in difficult situations.”
As an example, he explains that parents who monitor their
children’s activities outside the home, get involved
at their schools and have frequent family discussions raise
kids who are better able to cope with life’s challenges.
Tracy Ellington, a single mother living in Baldwin County,
participated in SAAF two years ago with her son Kendal. Today
she continues to apply the lessons she learned there to her
family. “I learned to never give up on my children,”
she explains. “If I turn my back, they’ll be in
the streets. I try to stay open with my heart and my mind
so that they will bring me the things that they’re thinking
about.” This sort of conversation is essential
for families living in dangerous circumstances, according
to Brody and Murry.
SAAF is one of five ongoing projects coordinated at the Center
for Family Research, a center of excellence within UGA’s
Institute for Behavioral Research. In 2003, Brody, the director,
and Murry, co-director, were awarded a prestigious five-year
Developing Center Grant from the National Institute of Health
to study how best to provide preventive mental health services
to rural African Americans. “This is the culmination
of over a decade’s worth of investigation into how basic
research and intervention inform one another.” Brody
says proudly.
Competing
in a Global Economy
The University of Georgia is at the forefront of the globalization
movement in higher education with a wealth of opportunities
for international experiences. Our students are flocking to
study-abroad programs, thriving on the challenges inherent
in confronting a new cultural environment. More and more,
students on campus are also making choices that reflect an
understanding of the importance of global awareness—from
living in a residence hall-based language community to starting
a radio program in another language to minoring in a foreign
language. These experiences, whether at home or abroad, influence
how our students perceive the world and their place in it.
We’re producing graduates prepared to be world citizens—well
informed, culturally sensitive and technologically sophisticated.
They’re ready to take on the challenges of our global
society, and they’ll be equally at home whether in the
Peach State or the Republic of Georgia.
|
