Introduction to Family Development

More than a broad and general overview, Introduction to Family Development provides an excellent introduction to numerous distinct relationship topics. The text incorporates thought provoking reading selections that address demographic transitions, marriage, remarriage, and cohabitation. It also addresses culture, social processes in the construction of gender, stepfamilies, love, family communication, child abuse, intimate partner violence, health, and stress. Two readings are...
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More than a broad and general overview, Introduction to Family Development provides an excellent introduction to numerous distinct relationship topics. The text incorporates thought provoking reading selections that address demographic transitions, marriage, remarriage, and cohabitation. It also addresses culture, social processes in the construction of gender, stepfamilies, love, family communication, child abuse, intimate partner violence, health, and stress. Two readings are devoted exclusively to theory and theoretical perspectives but many of the readings clearly specify the theoretical framework guiding the ideas. This gives students the opportunity to learn how a given theory can be applied to more than one topic.

Introducing students to primary research literature promotes discussions about how data are gathered, and how findings, tables, and figures are interpreted. This textbook is appropriate for introductory and midlevel courses. It can also be used as a supplement to more traditional textbooks.

Comprehensive in scope but manageable for first year students, Introduction to Family Development addresses family, family development, and family functioning from the perspectives of scholars in the fields of sociology, psychology, and family studies. The book serves as a foundational text that prepares students for later, more content-specific courses on family issues.