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A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE BASIC NEEDS OF MK'S UPON RE-ENTRY TO THE UNITED STATES AND TO DEFINE AND DESCRIBE A RE-ENTRY PROGRAM DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS (MISSIONARY CHILDREN, THIRD CULTURE, INTERNATIONAL)
Abstract
The study provides descriptive and statistically analyzed material relating to concerns and needs of MKs (missionary kids) upon their entry/re-entry into American culture for purposes of continuing their education, and to determine how these needs can best be met in a re-entry program. The data for the study were acquired through the administration of a needs assessment questionnaire. It was administered to MKs, MK parents, educators, psychologists, counselors, missiologists, pastors, and linguists, who attended the first International Conference on Missionary Children (ICMK) held in Manila, November 5-9, 1984. The primary concerns of MKs upon re-entry to the United States are related to personal identity formation, cultural and social adjustment, and interpersonal relationships with peers. Respondents favor re-entry programs designed to provide help and guidance with regard to "finding oneself," finding listening and helping persons, adjusting to American culture and lifestyle, and making career choices. MKs and parents of MKs who are currently on a mission field see less need for re-entry services than those who have returned to the United States and have experienced re-entry. Fathers of MKs perceive the concerns and needs of re-entering MKs to be less serious than do MK mothers and professional helpers who have worked with MKs. Re-entry programs can be initiated to provide on-the-field orientation prior to returning to the United States. Those developed in the United States can be designed to meet needs within the social context of the locale in which MKs will be living, and can draw upon helping personnel from the immediate community. They can also provide continuing services until the MK adjustment process has been completed. Continued studies in this area might address the matters of (1) how the geographical area and size of community in which MKs lived overseas affects re-entry adjustment; (2) what are the family variables which underlie successful or unsuccessful re-entry adjustment; and (3) how attendance in national schools affects re-entry adjustment.
Subject Area
Adult education|Continuing education
Recommended Citation
SCHULZ, THOMAS NEIL, "A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE BASIC NEEDS OF MK'S UPON RE-ENTRY TO THE UNITED STATES AND TO DEFINE AND DESCRIBE A RE-ENTRY PROGRAM DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS (MISSIONARY CHILDREN, THIRD CULTURE, INTERNATIONAL)" (1985). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8606971.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8606971