RESEARCH PROJECT 1 WHY DO SOME PREGNANT WOMEN SMOKE, DRINK, AND DO DRUGS?

Despite the fact that the dangers of drinking alcohol, smoking, and other drug use to fetal development are now well-known and widely publicized, women continue to use these substances while they are pregnant. This research activity (suggested in Salkind, S. S. (1990). Child development. Fort Worth: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston) attempts to find out why.

Have students invite a group of female friends who smoke or drink to talk to you about whether they will do these things when they are pregnant. Then have them ask their friends whether they know that smoking and drinking endanger prenatal development and about what they know in detail. Have them talk about the dangers (they may need to do some teaching!), and then ask again whether their friends will drink and smoke. You may want to suggest to students that they tape-record the answers, but make sure they prepare an interview schedule no matter how they choose to record answers.

RESEARCH PROJECT 2 FATHERHOOD

How actively are fathers participating in the births of their children these days? Find out by carrying out an interview project suggested in a child development text by Neil Salkind (Salkind, N. (1990). Child Development. Fort Worth: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston).

Invite two first-time, expectant fathers and two fathers of children under the age of two. Interview these men using the following sets of questions:

Expectant fathers:

1. What are your feelings about becoming a father?
2. How have you been involved in your wife's pregnancy?
3. What part will you play in your child's birth? What part would you like to play?
4. What do you think being a "good father'' means?
5. How will having a child change your life?

Fathers:

1. What part did you play in the birth(s) of your child (children)? What were your feelings about this experience?

2. What are the three biggest challenges you face as a father?

3. What do you think a "good father'' is?

4. How has having a child changed your life?

5. What advice would you give a new father?

Write a brief report indicating what you were trying to find out, describe your sample and how you interviewed the fathers and soon-to-be fathers, and then summarize similarities and differences between the two pairs of men. Relate what you learn to material on fathers' participation in childbirth that is in the text.