Conference examines value of parenting

“Parenthood in America,” a conference to be held April 19-21 in Madison, will provide an energizing forum for leading scholars and practitioners to share perspectives on the importance of parenthood.

Held at the new Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, the conference will unite parents, community leaders and specialists in family support and advocacy, child care, pediatric health, education, law and policy-making from across the country.

“This conference affords parenthood the status it deserves in our society,” says Roger Williams, chair of the UW–Madison Professional Development and Applied Studies program.

The conference is sponsored by seven UW–Madison schools and colleges and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Children’s Trust Fund of Wisconsin, the Child Abuse Prevention Fund of Milwaukee, the W.J. Kellogg Foundation, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Commonwealth Fund.

Some of the national presenters include:

• Lisbeth Schorr, a Harvard Medical School lecturer and author of Common Purpose: Strengthening American Families and Neighborhoods to Rebuild America. She will speak on “Supportive Families and Neighborhoods” April 20 at 9 a.m.
• David Popenoe, executive director of the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University. He will speak April 20 at 3:15 p.m. about conveying values to children.
• Urie Bronfenbrenner, emeritus professor of human development and family studies, Cornell University. He will give the conference’s keynote address, “Valuing Parenthood,” April 19 at 10:45 a.m.
• James Garbarino, a human-development professor at Cornell University. He will discuss what government and employers can do to strengthen families April 19 at 3 p.m.

A limited number of scholarships are available for students, parents, volunteers, paraprofessionals and professionals. If interested in a scholarship, fax Roger Williams at (265-2329. For other information, contact Ann Whitaker at 262-4509 or (800) 442-4617.