why do i love these people?

Just wanted to point you all toward a book I've been reading this past week by Po Bronson (you remember him, he wrote "What Do I Want To Do With My Life?".

It is quite a joyous and defeating experience when you realize someone has already written a book on exactly what you want your thesis to be about. Nevertheless, I have already learned so much from Mr. Bronson's "Why Do I Love These People?" It tells the stories of 19 familes he picked (out of hundreds) to illustrate just how unique and undefinable a family really is (among MANY other things).

Also, he put together a great site about family he calls "The Factbook" (www.pobronson.com/factbook). Really interesting.

study finds: "americans' circle of friends is shrinking"

A really interesting study that Ethan Watters lead me to.

The long/short: a survey done by the ASA found that in compared data from 1985 and 2004 the average number of people with whom Americans discuss matters important to them dropped by nearly one-third, from 2.94 people in 1985 to 2.08 in 2004.

Why is this? They say that one possibility is that "changes in work and the geographical scattering of families may foster a broader, shallower network of ties, rather than the close bonds measured by this study."

Check out the study here...
Americans' Circle of Friends Shrinking

amazing people.

Hey from interview land.

I just wanted to post something showing my gratitude towards two amazing people I had the privilege of speaking with today.

I was lucky enough to chat with both Ethan Watters, author of Urban Tribes, and Jane Mattes, C.S.W., the founder (and author) of Single Mothers by Choice.

Both Ethan and Jane were so helpful--not to mention incredibly insightful. I cannot thank them enough for their perceptiveness. Off to do some more work...and interviews.

hanai

Hey from Hawaii where I just discovered a very appropriate word from a member of my own blood family who lives here on Oahu.

"Hanai" is a Hawaiian word which quite simply means: your adopted family. As explained by The Coffee Times: "Hanai was the kanaka maoli custom whereby a family adopts a child given by someone else and raises that child as a family member. No written records were necessary. (In old Hawaii there was no writing.) No stigma was attached to being 'hanai.' The practice of hanai was used to ensure that the Hawaiian culture was passed on to the younger generation."

For more info go to: Coffee Times & Marriage or Hawaiian Roots