EDITORIAL..........Fifty years after the cessation of hostilities in the Pacific we are celebrating the InternationalYear of Tolerance. The use of the term 'tolerance' has been challenged because to many itimplies an acceptance of inappropriate and unacceptable activities. If this is the case, weshould be more proactive in our efforts to ensure that we respect the rights of everyone men,women and children.

Nevertheless, few would disagree that learning to respect and trust others is fundamental tothe future peace of the world. This respect and understanding for and by children is firstdeveloped in the family. There has been substantial research to demonstrate the influence thatparents, particularly mothers, have upon the development of their children's attitudes.

Throughout the world family patterns are changing and in many countries the traditionalfamily of two parents and two or more children is no longer the norm. In an increasingnumber of societies lone parents, generally but not always the mother, are responsible for theupbringing of their children, and for introducing them into the wider context of school andcommunity.

Falling birthrates in most countries in the developed world and the Chinese national policyof forcibly limiting the number of children in the family to one child, is resulting in millionsof children being part of the 4-2-1 syndrome - ie. four grandparents, two parents one child.Under these circumstances helping children to learn to share, to cooperate and respect therights of others has become not only the responsibility of the family, but also that of thecommunity.

Throughout the world many projects have been established which help to foster links betweenhome and community and from Spain comes an article which describes a longitudinal project,in which the author worked with parents, children, educators and the community in adisadvantaged area of her country. An article from Japan describes the effects of fallingbirthrates on kindergartens, while another describes how a community is dealing with changedattitudes among young people in a community. From China we see how national policy hasaffected traditional attitudes of both mothers and fathers towards their children, affecting ingreat measure attitudes towards women and daughters. All parents want what is best for theirchildren, and from America we have a comparative study examining the effects of parental'hurrying' on children - a subtle way of denying children their right to play and to be children.

In this issue we see a wide range of approaches to bringing up children. Developing tolerance,respect and understanding is an underlying theme. If we are to realise any lasting good fromthe Year of Tolerance, there must surely be a greater recognition of the interdependence ofhome school and community and the development of more effective partnerships betweenthem.

In September 1996, we will be looking at curriculum. Articles for consideration must reachme by 15th April. These may be research reports ( with short abstracts in the two otherlanguages of OMEP) or innovative projects. I look forward to hearing from you.

Audrey Curtis

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September 1995