Upcoming Issue — Volume 20.2

For more information on the journal, visit the website’s main journal page. Full back issues and individual articles are also available at this link.

FROM THE EDITOR:
Robert J. Noone, PhD

ARTICLES: Journal articles reflect natural systems thinking or are relevant to it. These may include concept papers as well as research studies.

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION: NATURE’S GIFT, NATURE’S CHALLENGE
Stephanie J. Ferrera, MSW
This study is an effort to address the complex subject of human sexuality by reviewing selected literature in biology, evolutionary theory, anthropology, primatology, and social sciences.  Sexual reproduction is understood as having evolved to provide variation to the gene pool of the population, thus providing protection from dangers that arise in a changing environment. Variation begets more variation, as sexuality pervades multiple levels of human behavior.  Humans vary in the formation of a sexual identity, in the ways they choose mates, in the differences between male and female roles, in the ways they work out those differences, in the ways they find resources to support a family, in the ways they adapt to changing socioeconomic conditions and cultural norms.  Darwin’s concept of sexual selection enlightens our understanding of mating and reproduction by looking at patterns of sexual behavior in many species and seeing some common ground with human behavior. Bowen theory introduces the family emotional system as another source of variation in many aspects of sexual reproduction. In viewing the family as an emotional system that generates variation among members in their levels of maturity, Bowen theory provides an important and original way of understanding the variation between families in their pursuit of reproductive success.

THE PIONEERS OF SIBLING POSITION: ADLER, TOMAN, AND BOWEN
John F. Butler, PhD
Sibling position and its effects on a person’s functioning remain of long-term interest to parents and professionals. This survey provides a brief biographical sketch and highlights the seminal contributions of three pioneers in this area: Alfred Adler, Walter Toman, and Murray Bowen. Each wrote and taught extensively on this topic, and the concept is part of their respective theories. Adler was the first to write about the position of siblings. However, his view was based on psychological factors rather than on biological data. Toman contributed an extensive research foundation and many other original ideas about family constellations. Toman’s concept of sibling position is the only concept initially developed by another that Bowen incorporated into his theory. Bowen placed the concept of sibling position within his other interrelated concepts in his theory. Last, distinctions between the theories are summarized.
Keywords: Sibling position, birth order,  Adler, Toman, Bowen

FACULTY CASE CONFERENCE: Presentation of a faculty clinical case, followed by a discussion with faculty members of the Bowen Center.

Presenter: Carrie Collier, PhD