A LOOK AT THE WEEK AHEADMay 25 - June 1, 2001OFFICE OF NEWS AND MEDIA RELATIONS(215) 204-7476 Fax: (215) 204-4403
EASING THE STRESS OF COMING HOME FOR THE SUMMER -- Whether they're graduating after four years or returning from their first year away from home as a freshman, millions of young adults are returning home to live with their parents. Fear not, says John DiMino, director of Temple's Tuttleman Counseling Center, there are ways those returning home can make the transition easier for everyone involved. "We've heard it before, but really the best piece of advice is -- if you want to be treated like an adult, you have to talk with and deal with your parents in an adult manner and take responsibility for your actions," says DiMino. He suggests families get together and negotiate guidelines so that household rules are respected, but the returning student is afforded the freedom they've grown accustomed to while away. DiMino also stresses that parents and children clearly communicate about what is considered "family time." "Sometimes kids get so caught up in seeing old friends and going out that they forget to plan time for their family," he says. "Ask yourself, 'What do I like to do with my family?' and make a point to plan that into your time at home." Reach Dr. DiMino through the Office of News and Media Relations, (215) 204-7476.
JEFFORDS HANDS PA.'S SPECTER A GOLD MINE IN WASHINGTON -- The stock of Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) will rise in Washington because of the defection of Sen. James Jeffords (I-VT) from the Republican Party, says Temple political scientist Robin Kolodny, an expert in legislative politics, political parties and interest groups. "Specter was in the same situation as Jeffords, but he's not going to lose influence. The Republicans will reward him in Washington for staying on and being a good boy. He will get what he wants from them," says Kolodny. Jeffords left the GOP recently, complaining that the Bush administration was catering to hard-core conservative Republicans. "His defection alters the landscape of Capitol Hill by one vote and puts the Democrats in control of the Senate. The Republicans overplayed their hand in thinking they could push Jeffords to become a conservative Republican. He didn't have any place to go. Jeffords is a liberal and he was left out of the loop by the Republicans who snubbed him on several occasions," says Kolodny. "By becoming an Independent, Jeffords has made a statement of conscience that the GOP doesn't include people like him anymore. Now, he's going to caucus and vote with the Democrats." Reach Kolodny at her home, 410-235-2571, or her office, 204-7709.
CROSSING THE LINE FROM FAN TO FANATIC -- Sixers fever is sweeping the sports fans of Philadelphia. But before you pull out the Sixers face paint or decide to name your next child--boy or girl--Dikembe, make sure you haven't crossed the line from fan to fanatic. "It's perfectly healthy to get excited about the games, read all the stuff in the papers and talk about the players and match-ups," says Temple sports psychologist Michael Sachs. "It's when people start to spend an exorbitant amount of money on team paraphernalia; games take precedence over family obligations; or whether the team wins or loses affects their personal behavior that you start to worry." While there's a multitude of reasons people become fans, from having played the game themselves to growing up in a household of sports fans, it's tough to say why some cross the line to fanatic, says Sachs. "There certainly seems to be some of that need to belong. But I don't know that anyone's really studied what makes someone cross that line." A Sixers fan himself, Sachs admits to getting pretty excited himself about the team's playoff run. "It's really a question of degrees. My two daughters and I were jumping up and down when Vince Carter missed that shot in the final game of the Raptors series. But then it was back to taking care of getting them into bed." Reach Dr. Sachs through the Office of News and Media Relations.
Cheryl AfonsoTemple UniversityOffice of News andMedia Relations215.204.7476[email protected]
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