The Blackwell Companion to the Sociology of Families

Tackling issues relevant to family life today, this authoritative Companion shows why studying social change in families is fundamental for understanding the transformations in individual and social life, across the globe. Contains original essays by expert contributors on a wide range of topics relating to the sociology of families. Includes coverage of social inequality, parenting practices, children s work, the changing patterns of citizenship, and multi-cultural families. Gives special attention to European and North American examples. Discusses previously neglected groups, including immigrant families and gays and lesbians. Explores how revolutionary changes in aging, longevity, and sexual behavior have radically affected the experience of different generations, and the relationships between them.

Tackling issues relevant to family life today, this authoritativeCompanion shows why studying social change in families isfundamental for understanding the transformations in individual andsocial life, across the globe.* Contains original essays by expert contributors on a wide rangeof topics relating to the sociology of families.* Includes coverage of social inequality, parenting practiceschildren's work, the changing patterns of citizenship, andmulti-cultural families.* Gives special attention to European and North Americanexamples.* Discusses previously neglected groups, including immigrantfamilies and gays and lesbians.* Explores how revolutionary changes in aging, longevity, andsexual behavior have radically affected the experience of differentgenerations, and the relationships between them.

List of Contributors.Preface: (Jacqueline Scott, Judith Treas, and MartinRichards).Part I: Families in a Global World:.1. Globalization and Western Bias in Family Sociology: DonEdgar.2. Changing European Families: Trends and Issues: Kath Kiernan(University of York).3. Recent Demographic Trends in the US and Implications forWell-Being: Sinikka Elliott and Debra Umberson (University ofTexas).4. Children, Families, States, and Changing Citizenship: HilaryLand (University of Bristol).5. Families and Local Communities: Graham Crow (University ofSouthampton) and Catherine Maclean.Part II: Life Course Perspectives on the Family:.6. Generations, the Life Course, and Family Change: J. BethMabry, Roseann Giarrusso, and Vern L. Bengtson (all University ofSouthern California).7. Children's Families: Jacqueline Scott (University ofCambridge).8. Aging and the Life Course: Chris Phillipson and Graham Allan(both Keele University).9. Parenting Practices: Duane F. Alwin (Pennsylvania StateUniversity).10. Time, Through the Life Course, in the Family: JonathanGershuny (University of Essex).Part III: Inequality and Diversity:.11. Inequality and the Family: Philip N. Cohen (University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill) and Danielle MacCartney (WebsterUniversity).12. Families of the Poor: Robert Walker and Claire Collins (bothNottingham University).13. Social Capital and the Family: Frank F. Furstenberg andSarah B. Kaplan (both University of Pennsylvania).14. Family, the State, and Health Care: Changing Roles in theNew Century: Ronald J. Angel and Jacqueline L. Angel (bothUniversity of Texas at Austin).15. Immigrant Families in the US: Karen Pyke (University ofCalifornia, Riverside).16. Immigrant Families in the UK: Alison Shaw (University ofOxford).Part IV: Changing Family Forms and Relationships:.17. Religion, Romantic Love, and the Family: Bryan S. Turner(National University of Singapore).18. Trends in Formation and Dissolution of Couples: Joanne J.Paetsch, Nicholas M. Bala, Lorne D. Bertrand, and Lisa Glennon (allUniversity of Calgary).19. Children, Families, and Divorce: Jan Pryor (VictoriaUniversity of Wellington) and Liz Trinder (NewcastleUniversity).20. The Lesbian and Gay Family: Jeffrey Weeks, Brian Heaphy, andCatherine Donovan (all Southbank University).21. Couples and Their Networks: Eric Widmer (University ofGeneva).22. Men in Families and Households: David H.J. Morgan(University of Manchester).Part V: Changing Social Contexts:.23. Sex and Family: Changes and Challenges: Judith Treas(University of California, Irvine).24. Feminism and the Family: Michelle Budig (University ofMassachusetts).25. Work and Families: Shirley Dex (University of London).26. Public Policy and Families: Wendy Sigle-Rushton andCatherine Kenney (both Princeton University).27. Assisted Reproduction, Genetic Technologies, and FamilyLife: Martin Richards (University of Cambridge).28. Families in a Runaway World: Ulrich Beck (University ofMunich) and Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim (University of Erlangen).Bibliography.Index