Description
Book SynopsisUnderstanding Family Meanings provides an overview of the basic concepts and theories related to families using readings with questions and analysis to encourage reflection and learning. It focuses on family meanings as the key underpinnings for academic study and professional training.
Trade Review"A compelling and accessible book, Understanding family meanings combines conceptual sophistication with intriguing examples and helpful exercises. Highly recommended, it will be interest to undergraduate sociology and family studies students in general." Jaber F. Gubrium, University of Missouri
"Understanding family meanings inspires the reader to reflect on the fluid and dynamic nature of contemporary families. It is an important new contribution to the literature as it highlights the multiplicity of meanings associated with families depending on context." Bahira Sherif Trask, University of Delaware
Table of ContentsWhy family meanings?; Part 1: Research: Family meanings in contemporary contexts; Teasing the threads apart; Understanding 'family' and household through quantitative evidence; Part 2: Theories and concepts: Family discourses and family practices; Intimacy and personal life; Part 3: Contexts: Family meanings across time and space; Family meanings in social policies and professional practices; Family meanings and family values.
