STARTING A REVOLUTION IN FAMILY-LIFE EDUCATION - A FEMINIST VISION

Feminists are in the forefront of the movement to expand the definition of family so that teaching about families will become more inclusive of diverse forms and processes. Yet, feminist goals of equality for all people and respect for diversity continue to be challenged by those who demand retrenchment to an outdated status quo. Feminist concerns that will ignite a revolution in family life education in the 1990s include the decline of traditional marriage, the reconstruction of intimate relationships, gender equality, economic autonomy, and reproductive freedom. A paradigm shift is needed to embrace the inclusiveness of all families and to champion the goals of pedagogical accountability, personal authenticity, and political action.