Grauerholz, Elizabeth : Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Review
"I think there is a genuine need for a text like this, and everyone I know who teaches a basic undergraduate
family class says that they need a text like this. It�s organized around current issues and changes in the family;
it�s �reader friendly�, grabbing students� interests; it makes connections between a sociological study of the
family and the students� experiences; and it emphasizes �diversity��race, class, gender, and sexual orientation."
-- Judith Barker, Ithaca College
"Never before have I seen a text that offers such a unique and well-rounded view of the complexities of the
family."
-- Kristin Bates, California State University, San Marcos
" I like Newman's consistent attempt to connect personal troubles with social issues, a wonderful way to make
social science come alive for undergraduates."
-- Dana Vannoy, University of Cincinnati
Sage Publishing Web Site, March, 2002
Summary
Sociology of Families, Second Edition begins at the level of the individual by examining familiar contemporary
issues � topics students are likely to know or feel strongly about. Once this personal connection is established,
David Newman shows the students the deeper and more detailed sociological underpinnings of the issues at hand,
using the theories and data of social sciences to understand the meaning and broader relevance of these controversies
and experiences.
The book is divided into three parts that are distinct from one another in style, content, and purpose. Part I
contains five relatively short essays that cover some of the key controversial topics and questions swirling around
the topic family today. Part II provides students with a peek into the tools and concepts that sociologists commonly
use in understanding society. Part III is not organized around controversial issues or key sociologist concepts,
but around important family experiences.
New to the second edition
Improved implementation of "inductive" teaching style, upon which the book is based
Revised demographic essays
2000 U.S. Census data incorporated throughout the text
New visual essays
The 3-part organization replaces the 2-part structure of the first edition
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
PART I: EXAMINING FAMILY ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES
Issue 1: What is a Family?
Images of Family
The "Official" U.S. Definition of Family
Blood Families and Chosen Families
The Controversy over Gay Families
The Symbolism of Family
Something to Think About
Issue 2: Is the Institution of Family Breaking Down - and Society with It?
The Family Decline Perspective
The Family Transformation Perspective
Something to Think About
Issue 3: How Private Should Family Life be?
The Ideal of Family Privacy
Parents and Children
Variations in Family Privacy
Something to Think About
Issue 4: How Should Individual Rights and Family Obligations be Balanced?
Rights and Responsibilities
Culture and Family Obligation
Gender and Family Obligation
Costs, Benefits, and Family Decisions
Family Obligation and Social Policy
A Balance of Individualism and Family Obligation
Something to Think About
Issue 5: Does Religion Help or Hurt Families?
Spirituality in Contemporary Life
Religion in America
How Religion Strengthens Families
How Religion Creates Stress
Something to Think About
PART II: THINKING SOCIOLOGICALLY ABOUT FAMILIES
Chapter 1. The Sociological Study of Family Life
Windows of Family: The Elusive Family
Everyday Research
Theory and Research
The Modes of Research
The Trustworthiness of Family Research
Family Privacy and Research Ethics
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
Chapter 2. Gender and Families
Windows on Family: What Are Girls and Boys Made Of?
Sex and Gender
Learning Gender
Doing Gender
Gender and Power
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
Chapter 3. Race, Ethnicity, and Families
Windows on Family: Multiracial Families
Racial and Ethnic Identity
African-American Families
Asian-American Families
Hispanic Families
The Diversity Question
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
Chapter 4. Wealth, Poverty, and Families
Windows on Family: Lifestyles of the Rich and the Poor
Class Stratification
Poverty and Family Life
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
PART III: INVESTING FAMILIES OVER THE LIFE COURSE
Chapter 5: Love, Sexuality, and Attraction
Windows on Family: Incurably Romantic
The Cultural Context of Intimacy
Romantic Love
Sexuality
Dating and Courtships
Social Theories of Intimate Relationships
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
Chapter 6. Couple and MarriageChanging American Families
Windows on Family: What It Means to be a Couple
Couples' Lives
Marriages
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
Chapter 7. Work Life and Family Life
Windows on Family: When Home Is Work and Work Is Home
Two Worlds: Work and Family
Dual-Earner Families
The Balance Between Work and Family
The Domestic Divisin of Labor
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
Chapter 8. Parenthood and Parenting
Windows on Family: Patriarchs, Fathers, and Dads
Pronatalism
The Process of Becoming Parents
Gender and Parenthood
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
Chapter 9. Childhood and Child Rearing
Windows on Family: Growing up in Two Worlds
The Historical Construction of Childhood
Children's Power in Families
Adolescence
The Social Complexities of Child Rearing
The Issue of Child Care
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
Chapter 10. Imtimate Violence
Windows on Family: A Violent Society Begets Violent Homes
The Roots of Intimate Violence in the United States
Violence in Dating Relationships
Violence Between Spouses and Partners
Child Abuse
Elder Abuse
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
Chapter 11. Divorce and Remarriage
Windows on Family: Blending Families
Divorce in Cultural Context
Divorce American Style
Uncoupling
Divorce and Children
Remarriage and Stepfamilies
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
Chapter 12. Family Transitions in Adulthood
Windows on Family: Cycles of Change
Family Transitions and the Life Course
The Influence of Birth Cohorts
The Transitions of Adulthood
Old Age
Death and Families
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
Chapter 13. Families in a Changing Society
Windows on Family: Family Change
Social Changes
Recemt and Future Family Trends
Family Policy
A Final Word
Conclusion
Chapter Highlights
Your Turn
References
Credits
Glossary/Index
