Handbook of Marriage and the Family [Hardcover]

The third edition of Handbook of Marriage and the Family describes, analyzes, synthesizes, and critiques the current research and theory about family relationships, family structural variations, and the role of families in society. This updated Handbook provides the most comprehensive state-of-the art assessment of the existing knowledge of family life, with particular attention to variations due to gender, socioeconomic, race, ethnic, cultural, and life-style diversity. The Handbook also aims to provide the best synthesis of our existing scholarship on families that will be a primary source for scholars and professionals but also serve as the primary graduate text for graduate courses on family relationships and the roles of families in society. In addition, the involvement of chapter authors from a variety of fields including family psychology, family sociology, child development, family studies, public health, and family therapy, gives the Handbook a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary framework.

This book details current knowledge of family life, with particular attention to variations due to gender, socioeconomic, race, ethnic, cultural, and life-style diversity. ?It offers a comprehensive survey and synthesis of knowledge about families.

PREFACE.-Balancing Connectedness and Autonomy in Diverse Families.-II. THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOCAL ISSUES.-The Current Status of Theorizing About Families.-The Demography of Families.-Quantitative Methodology for Family Science.-Qualitative Family Research: Enduring Themes and Contemporary Variations.-Systemic and Ecological Qualities of Families.-Feminism and Families.-Stress Processes in Families and Couples.-Conceptualizing Cultural Influences on Socialization: Comparing Parent-Adolescent Relationships in the U.S. and Mexico.-II. RELATIONSHIPS, PROCESSES, AND ROLES IN FAMILIES.-Dating and Mate Selection.-Marriage Relationships in the 21^st Century.-Living Together UnmarrilC'