The American Family

Book excerpt: The American Family has undergone and continues to undergo significant change as the twentieth century unfolds. This book of readings from a group of dedicated faculty at one university makes an important contribution to the study of family. The text explores the changing dynamics of the American family, the family and family values, the family and its influence on the health of children, adoption and family formation, justice in the family, grandparents and the family, the family's role in education of young children, psychological perspectives of childrearing in the United States, family policy and the U.S. welfare state, and oral narrative and family roles. These discussions represent valuable ideas and perspectives as contributions to this dynamic field of study. The reader will not only develop a deeper understanding of the American family in the historical sense, but also as it has evolved and continues to evolve in modern times. The cross-disciplinary nature of the text is a strength of this study of the family as it allows for the bringing together of different viewpoints of benefit to professionals, students, and lay-individuals alike. This exceptional text offers remarkable perspective so that the American family may be better understood and, in many ways, better appreciated for its historic, present-day, and no doubt future impact on the American society.