Synopses & Reviews
Family in America offers two powerful antidotes to popular misconceptions about American family life: historical perspective and scientific objectivity. When we look back at our early history, we discover that the idealized 1950s family—characterized by a rising birthrate, a stable divorce rate, and a declining age of marriage—was a historical aberration, out of line with long-term historical trends.
Working mothers, we learn, are not a 20th century invention; most families throughout American history have needed more than one breadwinner. In the exciting new scholarship described here, readers will learn precisely what is new in American family life and what is not, and acquire the perspective they need to appreciate both the genuine improvements and the losses that come with change.
Review
"The Family in America provides a topical overview of issues with a wide and popular appeal … It would be appropriate for high school students, undergraduates, and the general public. The entries are well written, clear, and interesting.'
" - American Reference Books Annual
Synopsis
SERIES HIGHLIGHTS: - Exhaustive coverage of each stage of family life- Written by top scholars- Includes entries on history, psychology, sociology, and medicine
Synopsis
An incisive, multidisciplinary look at the American family over the past 200 years, written by respected scholars and researchers.
Family in America offers two powerful antidotes to popular misconceptions about American family life: historical perspective and scientific objectivity. When we look back at our early history, we discover that the idealized 1950s family--characterized by a rising birthrate, a stable divorce rate, and a declining age of marriage--was a historical aberration, out of line with long-term historical trends.
Working mothers, we learn, are not a 20th century invention; most families throughout American history have needed more than one breadwinner. In the exciting new scholarship described here, readers will learn precisely what is new in American family life and what is not, and acquire the perspective they need to appreciate both the genuine improvements and the losses that come with change.
Synopsis
An incisive, multidisciplinary look at the American family over the past 200 years, written by respected scholars and researchers.
Synopsis
• An excellent introduction to family studies, featuring important insights written for a broad audience
• The family's role in American history makes this an important source for social, political, economic, and cultural research
Synopsis
• 190+ A-Z entries by more than 150 notable researchers
• Focuses on the family constellation throughout history: nuclear families, extended families, single-parent families, homosexual parents, stepfamilies, slave families, homeless families, and more