Publisher's Synopsis
An exciting new addition to the series, this book tackles assumptions surrounding the family as a changing institution and supposed haven from the public sphere of life. It considers families and social change in terms of concepts of power, inequality, gender, generations, sexuality and ethnicity. Some commentators suggest the family is threatened by increasing economic and social uncertainties and an enhanced focus upon the individual. This book provides a resume of these debates, as well as a critical review of the theories of family and social change: charts social and economic changes and their impact on the family; considers the prevalence and nature of abuse within families; explores the relationship between social theory, families and changing issues in familial relationships; and develops a theory of social change and families through a critical and pragmatic stance. It includes key reading for undergraduate students of sociology reading courses such as family, gender, health, criminology and social change.
