Changes, Choices, and Constraints
Marriages and Families, Census Update, 7e offers students a comprehensive introduction to many issues facing families in the twenty- first century.
The text's major theme "Changes, Choices, and Constraints" explores:
Contemporary changes in families and their structure
Impacts on the choices that are available to family members
Constraints that often limit our choices
Through this approach, students are better able to understand what the research and statistics mean for themselves ! Marriages and Families, Census Update balances theoretical and empirical discussions with practical examples and applications. It highlights important contemporary changes in society and the family. This text is written from a sociological perspective and incorporates material from other disciplines: history, economics, social work, psychology, law, biology, medicine, family studies, women's studies, and anthropology.
More about the themes:
Changes
Examines how recent profound structural and attitudinal changes affect family forms, interpersonal relationships, and raising children. It reaches beyond the traditional discussions to explore racial-ethnic families, single-parent families and gay families as well as the recent scholarship by and about men, fathers, and grandfathers. Contemporary American marriages and families vary greatly in structure, dynamics, and cultural heritage. Thus, discussions of gender roles, social class, race, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation are integrated throughout this book. To further strengthen students understanding of the growing diversity among today's families, the author included a series of boxes that focus on families from many cultures.
Choices
On the individual level, family members have many more choices today than ever before. People feel freer to postpone marriage, to cohabit, or to raise children as single parents. As a result, household forms vary greatly, ranging from commuter marriages to those in which several generations live together under the same roof.
Constraints
Although family members choices are more varied today, we also face greater macro- level constraints. Our options are increasingly limited, for example, by government policies. Economic changes often shape family life and not vice versa. Political and legal institutions also have a major impact on most families in tax laws, welfare reform, and even in defining what a family is. Because laws, public policies, and religious groups affect our everyday lives, the author has framed many discussions of individual choices within the larger picture of the institutional constraints that limit our choices.
To learn more about the new edition, click here to visit the showcase site.
What is the Pearson Census Update Edition?
The Census Update edition incorporates 2010 Census data into a course–simply and easily. The components of the Census Update Program are as follows:
- Census Update Edition - Features fully updated data throughout the text–including all charts and graphs–to reflect the results of the 2010 Census. This edition also includes a reproduction of the 2010 Census Questionnaire for your students to explore in detail.
- 2010 Census Update Primer - A brief seven-chapter overview of the Census, including important information about the Constitutional mandate, research methods, who is affected by the Census, and how data is used. Additionally, the primer explores key contemporary topics such as race and ethnicity, the family, and poverty. The primer can be packaged with any Pearson text at no additional cost, and is available via MySocLab, MySocKit, and MySearchLab. The primer can also be purchased standalone.
- 2010 Census Update Primer Instructor’s Manual with Test Bank - Includes explanations of what has been updated, in-class activities, homework activities associated with the MyLabs and MyKits, discussion questions for the primer, and test questions related to the primer.
- MyFamilyLab - Gives students the opportunity to explore the methods and data and apply the results in a dynamic interactive online environment. It includes:
- primary source readings relevant to the Census
- an online version of the 2010 Census Update Primer
- a series of activities using 2010 Census results
- video clips explaining and exploring the Census
This Books a la Carte Edition is an unbound, three-hole punched, loose-leaf version of the textbook and provides students the opportunity to personalize their book by incorporating their own notes and taking only the portion of the book they need to class – all at a fraction of the bound book price.
Changes, Choices, and Constraints
Marriages and Families, Census Update, 7e offers students a comprehensive introduction to many issues facing families in the twenty- first century.
The text's major theme
"Changes, Choices, and Constraints" explores:
Contemporary
changes in families and their structure
Impacts on the choices that are available to family members
Constraints that often limit our choices
Through this approach, students are better able to understand what the research and statistics mean
for themselves Marriages and Families, Census Update balances theoretical and empirical discussions with
practical examples and applications. It highlights important contemporary changes in society and the family. This text is written from a sociological perspective and incorporates material from other disciplines: history, economics, social work, psychology, law, biology, medicine, family studies, women's studies, and anthropology.
More about the themes:
Changes
Examines how recent profound structural and attitudinal changes affect family forms, interpersonal relationships, and raising children. It reaches beyond the traditional discussions to explore racial-ethnic families, single-parent families and gay families as well as the recent scholarship by and about men, fathers, and grandfathers. Contemporary American marriages and families vary greatly in structure, dynamics, and cultural heritage. Thus, discussions of gender roles, social class, race, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation are integrated throughout this book. To further strengthen students understanding of the growing diversity among today's families, the author included a series of boxes that focus on families from many cultures.
Choices On the individual level, family members have many more choices today than ever before. People feel freer to postpone marriage, to cohabit, or to raise children as single parents. As a result, household forms vary greatly, ranging from commuter marriages to those in which several generations live together under the same roof.
Constraints
Although family members choices are more varied today, we also face greater macro- level constraints. Our options are increasingly limited, for example, by government policies. Economic changes often shape family life and not vice versa. Political and legal institutions also have a major impact on most families in tax laws, welfare reform, and even in defining what a family is. Because laws, public policies, and religious groups affect our everyday lives, the author has framed many discussions of individual choices within the larger picture of the institutional constraints that limit our choices.
To learn more about the new edition, click here to visit the showcase site.
What is the Pearson Census Update Edition?
The Census Update edition incorporates 2010 Census data into a course-simply and easily. The components of the Census Update Program are as follows:
- Census Update Edition - Features fully updated data throughout the text-including all charts and graphs-to reflect the results of the 2010 Census. This edition also includes a reproduction of the 2010 Census Questionnaire for your students to explore in detail.
- 2010 Census Update Primer - A brief seven-chapter overview of the Census, including important information about the Constitutional mandate, research methods, who is affected by the Census, and how data is used. Additionally, the primer explores key contemporary topics such as race and ethnicity, the family, and poverty. The primer can be packaged with any Pearson text at no additional cost, and is available via MySocLab, MySocKit, and MySearchLab. The primer can also be purchased standalone.
- 2010 Census Update Primer Instructor's Manual with Test Bank - Includes explanations of what has been updated, in-class activities, homework activities associated with the MyLabs and MyKits, discussion questions for the primer, and test questions related to the primer.
- MyFamilyLab - Gives students the opportunity to explore the methods and data and apply the results in a dynamic interactive online environment. It includes:
- primary source readings relevant to the Census
- an online version of the 2010 Census Update Primer
- a series of activities using 2010 Census results
- video clips explaining and exploring the Census
This Books a la Carte Edition is an unbound, three-hole punched, loose-leaf version of the textbook and provides students the opportunity to personalize their book by incorporating their own notes and taking only the portion of the book they need to class - all at a fraction of the bound book price.
Part I Marriage and the Family in Perspective
Chapter 1 The Changing Family
Chapter 2 Studying the Family
Chapter 3 The Family in Historical Perspective
Chapter 4 Racial and Ethnic Families: Strengths and Stresses
Part II The Individual and the Developing Relationship
Chapter 5 Socialization and Gender Roles
Chapter 6 Romance, Love, and Loving Relationships
Chapter 7 Sexuality and Sexual Expression Throughout Life
Part III Individual and Marital Commitments
Chapter 8 Choosing Others: Dating and Mate Selection
Chapter 9 Singlehood, Cohabitation, Civil Unions, and Other Options
Chapter 10 Marriage and Communication in Intimate Relationships
Part IV Parents and Children
Chapter 11 To Be or Not to Be A Parent: More Choices, More Constraints
Chapter 12 Raising Children: Promises and Pitfalls
Part V Conflicts and Crises
Chapter 13 Balancing Work and Family Life
Chapter 14 Family Abuse, Violence, and Other Health Issues
Chapter 15 Separation and Divorce
Part VI Changes and Transitions
Chapter 16 Remarriage and Stepfamilies
Chapter 17 Families in Later Life
COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 The Changing Family
What Is a Family?
How are Families Similar across Societies?
How do Families Differ across Societies?
Family Structure and Social Change
Some Myths about the Family
Family Values: Three Perspectives on the Changing Family
Trends in Changing Families
Why Are Families Changing?
A Cross-Cultural and Global Perspective on the Family
Chapter 2 Studying the Family
Why Theories and Research are Important in Our Everyday Lives
Theoretical Perspectives on Families
Family Research Methods
The Ethics and Politics of Family Research
Chapter 3 The Family in Historical Perspective
The Colonial Family
Early American Families from Non-European Cultures
Industrialization, Urbanization, and European Immigration: 1820 to 1930
The Modern Family Emerges
The Golden Fifties
The Family since the 1960s
Chapter 4 Racial and Ethnic Families: Strengths and Stresses
The Increasing Diversity of U.S. Families
Race and Ethnicity Still Matter
African American Families
American Indian Families
Latino Families
Asian American Families
Middle Eastern Families
Interracial and Interethnic Relationships and Marriages
Chapter 5 Socialization and Gender Roles
Gender Myths about Female-Male Similarities and Differences
The Nature-Nurture Debate: Is Anatomy Destiny?
Why Do Gender Roles Differ?
How Do We Learn Gender Roles?
Traditional Views and Gender Roles
Gender Roles in Adulthood
A Global View: Variations in Gender Roles
Chapter 6 Romance, Love, and Loving Relationships
Loving and Liking
What Is Love?
Caring, Intimacy, and Commitment
Some Theories about Love and Loving
Functions of Love and Loving
Experiencing Love
When Love Goes Wrong
How Couples Change: Romantic and Long-term Love
A Global View of Love
Chapter 7 Sexuality and Sexual Expression Throughout Life
Sexuality and Human Development
Why We Have Sex
How We Learn about Sex
Sexual Behaviors
Sexuality Throughout Life
Sexual Infidelity
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Sex
Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV, and AIDS
Chapter 8 Choosing Others: Dating and Mate Selection
How Often Do We Date?
Why Do We Date?
The Dating Spectrum
Meeting Others
Choosing Whom We Date: Choices and Constraints
Why We Choose Each Other: Theories of Mate Selection
A Global View: Mate Selection across Cultures
Harmful Dating Relationships: Power, Control, and Sexual Aggression
Breaking Up
Chapter 9 Singlehood, Cohabitation, Civil Unions, and Other Options
The Single Option
The Diversity of Singles
Home Alone
Why More People Are Single
Racial and Ethnic Singles
Cohabitation
Gay and Lesbian Couples
Communal Living Arrangements
Chapter 10 Marriage and Communication in Intimate Relationships
Why Do People Marry?
What Do We Expect from Marriage?
Types of Marriages
Marital Success and Happiness
How Does Marriage Affect Health?
Marital Roles
How Marriages Change throughout the Life Course
Communication: A Key to Successful Relationships
What Do Couples Fight About?
Productive Communication Patterns
Chapter 11 To Be or Not To Be a Parent: More Choices, More Constraints
Becoming a Parent
How Many Children Do You Want?
Postponing Parenthood
Infertility
Adoption: The Traditional Solution to Infertility
Medical and High-Tech Solutions to Infertility
Abortion
Childless by Choice
Chapter 12 Raising Children: Promises and Pitfalls
Contemporary Parenting Roles
Some Theories of Child Development
Parenting Variations by Ethnicity and Social Class
Parenting Changes over the Life Course
Parenting in Lesbian and Gay Families
Parenting Styles and Discipline
Child Care Arrangements
Current Social Issues and Children’s Well-Being
Chapter 13 Balancing Work and Family Life
The Significance of Work
Work in the Contemporary United States
How the Economy Affects Families
Women’s Participation in the Labor Force
New Economic Roles within Marriage
Two-Income Families
Inequality in the Workplace
Families and Work Policies
Chapter 14 Family Abuse, Violence, and Other Health Issues
Intimate Partner Abuse and Violence
Child Maltreatment
Hidden Victims: Siblings and Adolescents
Elder Abuse and Neglect
Violence among Same-Sex Couples and Racial-Ethnic Groups
Explaining Family Abuse and Violence
Other Family Health Issues
Combating Family Abuse and Violence
Chapter 15 Separation and Divorce
Separation: Process and Outcome
Trends in Divorce
The Process of Divorce
Why do People Divorce?
How Divorce Affects Adults
How Divorce Affects Children
Some Positive Outcomes of Separation and Divorce
Counseling, Marital Therapy, Divorce Mediation, and Collaborative Divorce
Chapter 16 Remarriages and Stepfamilies
Being Single Again: Dating and Cohabitation
Being Single Again: Dating and Cohabitation
Forming a Stepfamily
Characteristics of Remarried Couples
Remarriage as a Process
How First Marriages and Remarriages Differ
Couple Dynamics in Stepfamilies
The Diversity and Complexity of Stepfamilies
Living in a Stepfamily
Successful Remarriages and Stepfamilies
Chapter 17 Families in Later Life
Our Aging Society
Health and Ageism
Work and Retirement
Grandparenting
Aging Parents, Adult Children, and Siblings
Dying, Death, and Bereavement
Being Widowed and Single in Later Life
Family Caregiving in Later Life
Competition for Scarce Resources