Families in Today's World A Comparative Approach [Paperback]

An international textbook designed as a quick introduction for students from around the world studying sociology of family, this text provides comprehensive coverage of the major topics in the sociology of family life.

Written in an easy access style it opens with a chapter on defining family and family structures. It then moves on to discuss over a dozen major topics; from interaction and meaning in families to sexuality. David Cheal provides coverage of these topics by drawing on a variety of international material. Most of the studies focus on contemporary family life but Cheal also presents information on historical changes which have shaped family life as it is known today.

This book an incredibly valuable teaching tool as it presents diversity in family patterns through thinking about family life from a global perspective.

1. Defining Family and Family Structures  2. Interaction and Meaning in Families  3. Social Divisions  4. Social Change  5. Demographic Change  6. Family, Work and Money  7. Caring  8. Violence and Sexual Abuse  9. Family Formation  10. Parenting  11. Family Transformations  12. Kinship  13. Family and State  14. Sexuality

David Cheal is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Winnipeg. His main areas of interest are Sociology Theory and the Sociology of the Family. He is the author of Sociology of Family Life(2002) and editor of Family: Critical Concepts(2003).