New web site focuses on parenthood

A new UW–Madison Web site examines the fundamental nature of the parent-child relationship in society.

The site, Parenthood in America, contains 36 presentations from a major conference held in Madison last spring. It offers diverse views on some of the most vexing issues facing the nation, including divorce, moral development, children and schools, health care, reproduction and child care.

“Parenthood implies ‘hands-on’ work in which parents grow with their children,” says Dr. Jack C. Westman, professor emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and organizer of the conference. “Although societal pressures can have negative effects, they also provide opportunities for constructive developments. The site is devoted to elevating parenthood to the status it deserves.”

The Web site is an experiment in alternative publishing by campus libraries, the conference planning committee and the UW Press. By placing presentations on the Internet, the proceedings are accessible to readers many months before they would normally be available in print. The site is directed at a broad audience of social workers, psychologists, lawyers, educators, policymakers and the public. The papers are available in their entirety and can be searched by topic.

“Libraries can and should play an active role in the dissemination of information and knowledge,” says Kenneth L. Frazier, General Library System director. “This effort provides striking evidence that a model of communicating leading-edge, authoritative knowledge quickly, cheaply and effectively is possible.”

A second outcome of the project will be printed publication of selections from the proceedings by the UW Press in an anthology. “The printed version will allow for thoughtful editing of the papers and compilation in a format which is completely portable,” says Steve Salemson, associate director of the UW Press.

A third anticipated outcome is the development of a national parenthood organization along the lines of the American Association of Retired Persons. A meeting was recently held in Chicago to explore ways of pursuing conference goals into the future.

Westman is the author of seven books and more than 120 publications. He has served as president of the American Association of Psychiatric Services for children, the Multidisciplinary Academy of Clinical Education, and the Wisconsin Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He currently is the president of Wisconsin Cares Inc., and is the editor of the journal Child Psychiatry and Human Development.