Marriages and Families : Diversity and Change

by Schwartz, Mary Ann A.; Scott, BarBara Marliene

• ISBN13: 9780130979568
• ISBN10: 0130979562
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Taking an historical, cross-cultural, and global approach, this book focuses on the link between social structure and the everyday lives of people's diverse experiences of marriages, families, and intimate relationships. It shows how contemporary families go well beyond the traditional, heterosexual, two-parent, white, middle class family and heterosexual legally-sanctioned marriage; challenges the assumption that one culture's way of doing things is the "natural" or "right" way; shows how marriage and family life have changed historically over time and from place to place; and how political and economic globalization impacts families worldwide. Features extensive boxed material accompanied by questions for personal reflection. Marriages and Families Over Time. Ways of Studying and Explaining Marriages and Families. Understanding Gender: Its Influence In Intimate Relationships. The Many Faces of Love. Dating, Coupling, and Mate Selection. Sexuality and Intimate Relationships. Nonmarital Lifestyles. The Marriage Experience. Reproduction and Parenting. Evolving Work and Family Structures. Violence and Abuse. The Process of Uncoupling: Divorce in the United States. Remarriage and Remarried Families. Families in Later Life. Marriages and Families in the Twenty-first Century: U.S. and World Trends. For anyone interested in marriage and family dynamics, including individuals, counselors, nurses, social workers, home economists, etc.

Table of Contents

Boxes	xvi
Preface	xviii
About the Authors	xxiv
Marriages and Families over Time	1	(29)
Contemporary Definitions of Marriages and Families	2	(2)
What Is Marriage?	2	(1)
What Is a Family?	3	(1)
Race, Class, and Gender	4	(1)
Family Functions and the Debate over Family Values	4	(4)
Social Functions of Families	5	(1)
Contrasting Views of Families	6	(2)
Debunking Myths about Marriages and Families	8	(5)
The Universal Nuclear Family	9	(1)
The Self-Reliant Traditional Family	9	(2)
The Naturalness of Different Spheres for Wives and Husbands	11	(1)
The Unstable African American Family	11	(1)
The Idealized Nuclear Family of the 1950s	12	(1)
Families In Early America	13	(6)
Colonial Families	13	(2)
African American Families under Slavery	15	(2)
Free African American Families	17	(1)
Slavery's Hidden Legacy: Racial Mixing	17	(1)
Native American Families	18	(1)
Families in the Nineteenth Century	19	(3)
Emergence of the Good Provider Role	19	(1)
The Cult of Domesticity	19	(1)
Changing Views of Childhood	19	(1)
The Impact of Class and Ethnicity	19	(1)
Immigration and Family Life	20	(1)
The Economic Roles of Women and Children	20	(1)
Ethnic and Racial Family Patterns	20	(1)
Mexican American Families	21	(1)
Families in the Early Twentieth Century	22	(2)
The Emergence of the Companionate Family	22	(1)
The Great Depression	22	(1)
World War II and Its Aftermath	22	(1)
Changing Patterns of Immigration	23	(1)
Lessons from History	24	(1)
Contemporary Patterns in Marriages and Families	24	(1)
Looking Ahead: Marriages and Families in the Future	25	(1)
The Sociological Imagination	25	(1)
Writing Your Own Script	26	(1)
Summary	27	(1)
Key Terms	28	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	28	(1)
Additional Resources	28	(2)
Ways of Studying and Explaining Marriages and Families	30	(29)
The Sociology of Marriages and Families	32	(1)
Studying Marriages and Families: The Link between Research and Theory	32	(2)
Methodological Techniques in the Study of Marriages and Families	34	(4)
Surveys	35	(1)
Observation	36	(1)
Case Studies	36	(1)
Ethnography	37	(1)
Scientific Methodologies Used by Feminist Researchers	38	(1)
A Critical Look at Traditional Research on Marriages and Families	38	(4)
A More Inclusive Sociology	39	(2)
Contemporary Marriage and Family Scholarship	41	(1)
Theoretical Perspectives	42	(12)
Structural Functionalism	43	(3)
Conflict Theory	46	(1)
Symbolic Interactionism	47	(1)
Social Constructionism	48	(1)
Social-Exchange Theory	49	(1)
The Developmental Family Life Cycle Model	50	(1)
Feminist Theories and Perspectives	51	(3)
Men's Studies and Marriage and Family Research	54	(2)
Men in Families	54	(2)
Summary	56	(1)
Key Terms	57	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	57	(1)
Additional Resources	57	(2)
Understanding Gender: Its Influence in Intimate Relationships	59	(27)
Distinguishing Sex and Gender Roles	61	(3)
The Process of Sex Differentiation	61	(1)
Gender Differences: The Nature-Nurture Debate	61	(3)
Traditional Meanings of Femininity and Masculinity	64	(1)
Traditional Gender Roles: Female and Male	64	(1)
Gender Variations: Race, Class, and Culture	65	(1)
Gender Roles in Transition	65	(2)
Theories of Gender Role Socialization	67	(4)
Psychoanalytic/Identification Theory	68	(1)
Social-Learning Theory	69	(1)
Cognitive-Development Theory	70	(1)
Enculturated-Lens Theory	70	(1)
Agents of Socialization	71	(6)
Parents	71	(1)
Language	72	(1)
Peers	72	(1)
Play and Organized Sports	73	(1)
Teachers	73	(1)
The Mass Media	74	(3)
Consequences of Gender Stereotyping	77	(6)
Lifestyle Choices	77	(1)
Self-Esteem	77	(2)
Self-Confidence	79	(1)
Mental Health	80	(1)
Women, Men, and Friends	81	(1)
Patterns of Communication	82	(1)
Changing Realities, Changing Roles	83	(1)
Key Summary	83	(1)
Key Terms	84	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	84	(1)
Additional Resources	85	(1)
The Many Faces of Love	86	(31)
What Is This Thing Called Love?	87	(7)
Love as a Social Construction	88	(1)
How Does Romantic Love Develop in Contemporary Society?	89	(1)
Love in Western Society: A Historical Perspective	89	(3)
The Importance of Love	92	(2)
How Do People Express Love?	94	(2)
Lee's Six Styles of Loving	95	(1)
Love versus Friendship, Infatuation, and Liking	96	(3)
Close Friendship versus Love	96	(3)
Infatuation versus Love	99	(1)
Liking versus Love	99	(1)
Some Theories of love	99	(2)
The Wheel Theory of Love	100	(1)
The Theory of Love as a Story	101	(3)
Love Stories	101	(2)
Love as a Social Exchange	103	(1)
Love as Limerence	103	(1)
Love Across Gender, Sexuality, and Race	104	(5)
Gender Differences in Love Relationships	104	(3)
Lesbian and Gay Love Relationships	107	(1)
Female-Male Relationships among African Americans	108	(1)
Obstacles to Love and Loving Relationships	109	(4)
Traditional Gender Role Socialization	109	(1)
Patriarchy as an Obstacle to Lesbian Love	109	(1)
Lack of Trust	110	(1)
Jealousy and Envy	110	(3)
Romantic Love Today	113	(1)
Summary	114	(1)
Key Terms	115	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	115	(1)
Additional Resources	116	(1)
Dating, Coupling, and Mate Selection	117	(36)
Mate Selection in Cross-Cultural and Historical Perspective	119	(7)
Mate Selection Cross-Culturally	119	(2)
Mate Selection in the United States: A Historical Perspective	121	(4)
Functions of Dating: Past and Present	125	(1)
The Intersections of Race, Gender, Class, and Sexual Orientation	126	(5)
Dating Patterns among African Americans	127	(1)
The Impact of Gender	128	(1)
The Impact of Social Class on the Dating Process	128	(2)
Lesbian and Gay Dating	130	(1)
Theories of Mate Selection	131	(2)
Exchange Theories	131	(2)
Filter Theories	133	(1)
Mate Selection: Finding and Meeting Partners	133	(7)
The Marriage Market and the Pool of Eligibles	133	(1)
Freedom versus Constraint in Mate Selection	134	(4)
Other Factors That Affect Mate Selection	138	(1)
Personal Qualities and Mate Selection	139	(1)
The Life Cycle and Mate Selection	140	(1)
Meeting Partners: Where and How	140	(6)
School, Church, and Work	141	(1)
Singles' Bars and Gay Bars	141	(1)
Self-Advertising: Personal Ads	141	(1)
Dating Clubs and Dating Services	142	(1)
Computer Dating and the Internet	143	(1)
Dating in Cyberspace	143	(3)
The Future of Dating	146	(1)
Violence in Dating and Intimate Relationships	146	(3)
Physical Abuse	146	(2)
Date and Acquaintance Rape	148	(1)
Breaking Up	149	(2)
Summary	151	(1)
Key Terms	151	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	151	(1)
Additional Resources	152	(1)
Sexuality and Intimate Relationships	153	(47)
Human Sexuality: Past and Present	155	(10)
Jewish Traditions and Human Sexuality	156	(1)
Christian Traditions and Human Sexuality	157	(1)
Sexuality in the United States: An Overview	157	(1)
Sexual Attitudes and Behavior in the Twentieth Century and Beyond	158	(7)
Sexuality as Social Learning	165	(6)
Sources of Sexual Learning	165	(6)
Sexual Orientations	171	(4)
Heterosexuality	171	(1)
Homosexuality	171	(4)
Bisexuality	175	(1)
The Physiology of Sexuality	175	(1)
The Sexual Response Cycle	175	(1)
Human Sexual Expression	176	(4)
Autoeroticism	176	(3)
Interpersonal Sexual Behavior	179	(1)
Sexual Expression among Lesbians and Gays	180	(1)
Sexuality Across the Life Cycle	180	(8)
Nonmarried Sexuality and Pregnancy	180	(5)
Marital Sexuality: Does Good Sex Make Good Marriages?	185	(1)
Extramarital Sexuality	185	(1)
Postmarital Sexuality	186	(1)
Sexuality and Aging	186	(1)
Women, Aging, and Sexuality	187	(1)
Sexual Dysfunctions	188	(1)
Sexual Responsibility: Protecting yourself from AIDS and Other STDs	189	(8)
AIDS	189	(8)
Summary	197	(1)
Key Terms	198	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	198	(1)
Additional Resources	199	(1)
Nonmarital Lifestyles	200	(26)
Historical Perspectives	201	(3)
Singlehood in Early America	202	(1)
Singlehood in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries	202	(1)
Singlehood Today: Current Demographic Trends	203	(1)
Demystifying Singlehood	204	(3)
Individual Decision Making	204	(1)
The Influence of Social and Economic Forces	204	(1)
Types of Singles	205	(1)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Singlehood	206	(1)
Single Lifestyles	207	(4)
Income	208	(1)
Support Networks	209	(1)
Life Satisfaction	209	(1)
The Never-Married in Later Life	210	(1)
Heterosexual Cohabitation	211	(7)
Historical Perspectives	211	(1)
The Meaning of Cohabitation Today	211	(2)
Reasons for Cohabitation	213	(2)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cohabitation	215	(1)
Cohabitation and the Division of Labor	215	(1)
Cohabitation and Marital Stability	215	(1)
Cohabitation: International Perspectives	216	(1)
Cohabitation and the Law	217	(1)
Lesbian end Gay Relationships	218	(4)
Methodological Issues	218	(1)
Demystifying Lesbian and Gay Relationships	219	(1)
Living Together: Domestic Tasks, Finances, and Decision Making	219	(1)
The Social and Legal Context of Lesbian and Gay Relationships	219	(2)
Life Satisfaction: Elderly Lesbians and Gays	221	(1)
Communal Living and Group Marriage	222	(2)
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Communal Lifestyle	222	(1)
Communes, Shared Housing, and the Future	222	(1)
Group Marriages	223	(1)
Summary	224	(1)
Key Terms	224	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	224	(1)
Additional Resources	225	(1)
The Marriage Experience	226	(36)
Why Do People Marry?	228	(2)
Sociological Perspective	230	(1)
The Meaning of Marriage	230	(6)
Marriage as a Commitment	230	(1)
Marriage as a Sacrament	231	(1)
Marriage as a Legal Contract	231	(1)
Some Legal Aspects of the Marriage Contract	232	(4)
Change and Continuity in the Meaning of Marriage	236	(8)
Provisions of the Modern Marriage Contract	236	(1)
The Marriage Contract Today	237	(3)
Marriage Traditions in the United States	240	(2)
The Wedding	242	(2)
Marriage and Gender	244	(1)
``Her'' Marriage	245	(1)
``His'' Marriage	245	(1)
Transitions and Adjustments to Marriages	245	(2)
A Typology of Marital Relationships	246	(1)
Heterogamous Marriages	247	(6)
Interracial Marriages	247	(4)
Interethnic Marriages	251	(1)
Interfaith Marriages	252	(1)
Marital Satisfaction, Communication, and Conflict Resolution	253	(6)
Summary	259	(1)
Key Terms	260	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	260	(1)
Additional Resources	260	(2)
Reproduction and Parenting	262	(44)
Historical Overview: Fertility Trends in the United States	263	(2)
Current Fertility Patterns	264	(1)
To Parent or Not?	265	(3)
The Costs of Parenthood	265	(1)
The Benefits of Parenthood	266	(1)
The Social Pressures to Procreate	266	(1)
The Child-Free Option	266	(1)
Delayed Parenting	267	(1)
Controlling Fertility	268	(1)
Reasons for Not Using Contraceptives	269	(1)
Abortion	269	(2)
Historical Perspectives	270	(1)
Race, Class, and Age	270	(1)
Public Attitudes toward Abortion	271	(1)
Infertility	271	(1)
Causes of Infertility	272	(1)
Consequences of Infertility	272	(1)
Reproduction without Sex: The New Technologies	272	(2)
The Choice to Parent	274	(1)
Conception	275	(2)
Multiple Conception and Births	275	(1)
Sex Preference and Selection	276	(1)
Pregnancy	277	(4)
Prenatal Development and Care	277	(1)
Prenatal Problems and Defects	278	(3)
Expectant Fathers	281	(2)
The Cultural Double Bind	281	(2)
Parental Adjustments, Adaptations, and Patterns of Child Rearing	283	(20)
Parental Roles	284	(3)
Gender Differences in the Experience of Parenthood	287	(2)
Styles of Parenting	289	(2)
Race and Class	291	(7)
Lesbian and Gay Parents	298	(1)
Single Parents	299	(2)
Teenaged Parents	301	(2)
Summary	303	(1)
Key Terms	304	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	304	(1)
Additional Resources	305	(1)
Evolving Work and Family Structures	306	(30)
The Transformation of Work and Family Roles	308	(2)
Reasons Women Work	309	(1)
Work and Family Structures	310	(2)
Traditional Nuclear Families	310	(1)
The Two-Person Career	311	(1)
Dual-Earner Families	311	(1)
Commuter Marriages	312	(1)
The Impact of Work on Family Relationships	312	(6)
Marital Power and Decision Making	313	(1)
Marital Happiness	313	(1)
Husbands and the Division of Household Labor	314	(2)
Child Care	316	(2)
Integrating Work and Family Life: Resolving Role Conflict	318	(1)
Strategies for Conflict Resolution	318	(1)
Inequities in the Workplace: Consequences for Families	318	(4)
Occupational Distribution	319	(1)
The Race-Gender Gap in Earnings: Good News and Bad News	320	(1)
Sexual Harassment	321	(1)
The Economic Well-Being of Families	322	(8)
An Uncertain Future: The Widening Income Gap	323	(1)
Who Are the Poor?	324	(1)
Unemployment and Underemployment	324	(3)
Homelessness	327	(2)
The Welfare Debate	329	(1)
Restructuring the Workplace	330	(3)
Workplace Changes	331	(1)
Family Leave	331	(2)
Summary	333	(1)
Key Terms	334	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	334	(1)
Additional Resources	335	(1)
Violence and Abuse	336	(39)
The Roots of Family Violence: A Historical Context	338	(2)
Violence against Women	338	(1)
Violence against Children	339	(1)
Violence against the Elderly	339	(1)
Violence against Siblings	340	(1)
Family Violence and U.S. Culture	340	(3)
The Media	341	(2)
Myths about Violence and Abuse	343	(3)
Physical Assault: The Case of Battered Women	346	(6)
What Is Woman Battering?	347	(1)
How Prevalent Is Woman Battering?	347	(2)
Theories of Spousal or Partner Abuse	349	(1)
Why Do Women Remain in Abusive Relationships?	350	(2)
Confronting Intimate Violence	352	(1)
The Sexual Assault of Women	352	(3)
Rape Myths	354	(1)
Marital Rape	354	(1)
The Criminal Justice Response to Woman Assault	355	(3)
Attitudes and Behaviors	357	(1)
Have We Made Progress?	358	(1)
The Effects of Physical and Sexual Assault on Women	358	(1)
Coping and Survival Strategies	358	(2)
A Comparative Look at Battered Men	360	(2)
Child Assault and Abuse	362	(7)
The Physical Assault of Children	363	(3)
The Sexual Assault of Children	366	(3)
Elder Abuse in the United States	369	(1)
What Is Elder Abuse?	369	(1)
Who Are the Abused and the Abusers?	370	(1)
Sibling Abuse	370	(2)
Summary	372	(1)
Key Terms	373	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	373	(1)
Additional Resources	373	(2)
The Process of Uncoupling: Divorce in the United States	375	(29)
Historical Perspectives	377	(4)
Divorce in Early America	377	(1)
Divorce in Nineteenth-Century America	377	(2)
Twentieth-Century America: Efforts at Reform	379	(1)
Race, Ethnicity, and Divorce	379	(2)
Who Gets Divorced, and Why?	381	(3)
Factors Affecting Marital Stability	381	(3)
The Process of Divorce	384	(1)
Stages in the Divorce Process	384	(1)
The Six Stations of Divorce	384	(1)
The Causes of Divorce	385	(2)
Societal Factors	385	(1)
From the Perspective of Divorced People	386	(1)
From the Perspective of Family Therapists	387	(1)
The Impact of Divorce on Spouses	387	(6)
Common Consequences of Divorce	387	(2)
Gender Differences in Divorce	389	(4)
Recovering from Divorce	393	(1)
The Impact of Divorce on Children	393	(5)
Short-Term versus Long-Term Effects	394	(1)
Children and Divorce in Other Countries	395	(1)
Changing Patterns in Child Custody	395	(3)
Reaching Accord: Counseling, Collaborative Law, and Mediation	398	(1)
Attempts at Reform: Covenant Marriage	399	(1)
Other Forms of Marital Disruption	400	(1)
Summary	401	(1)
Key Terms	402	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	402	(1)
Additional Resources	403	(1)
Remarriage and Remarried Families	404	(23)
Historical Perspective	406	(1)
Cultural Images of Stepfamilies	407	(1)
The Process of Remarriage	407	(5)
Dating and Courtship Patterns	407	(1)
The Decision to Remarry	408	(1)
Patterns of Remarriage	409	(1)
The Stations of Remarriage	410	(2)
Stages in the Development of Remarried Families	412	(1)
Remarried Families: Roles, Interactions, and Reactions	412	(7)
Children and the Remarriage Service	412	(1)
Children in Remarried Families	412	(5)
Stepmothers: A Bad Rap?	417	(1)
Stepfathers: Polite Strangers?	418	(1)
Lesbian and Gay Stepfamilies	419	(1)
Ex-Spouses: Do They Fade Away?	419	(1)
The Strengths and Benefits of Remarried Families	419	(1)
The Quality of the Remarital Relationship	420	(4)
Stability in Remarriage	421	(3)
Recommendations for Social Policy	424	(1)
Clarification of Legal Norms	424	(1)
Modification of the Tax Code	424	(1)
Education	424	(1)
Summary	425	(1)
Key Terms	425	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	426	(1)
Additional Resources	426	(1)
Marriages and Families in Later Life	427	(28)
Characteristic of Later-Life Families	428	(3)
The Sandwich Generation	429	(1)
Diversity in the Family Life Cycle	430	(1)
Changing Age Norms	431	(1)
The Demographics of Aging: Defining ``Old''	431	(3)
Age Categories of the Elderly	431	(1)
Gender and Marital Status	432	(1)
Race, Ethnicity, and Class	433	(1)
Poverty among the Elderly	434	(1)
Living Arrangement:	434	(2)
Housing Patterns	435	(1)
Marriages in Later Life	436	(3)
Marital Quality and Satisfaction	437	(1)
Adjustment to Retirement	437	(2)
Intergenerational Relationships	439	(3)
Quality of Relationships	440	(1)
Patterns of Support	440	(2)
Evolving Pattern: of Kinship: Grandparenthood	442	(3)
Styles of Grandparenting	442	(1)
Benefits and Conflicts	443	(1)
Great-Grandparenthood	444	(1)
The Child-Free Elderly	445	(1)
Sibling Relationships	445	(1)
Health and Illness	446	(1)
Family Caregiving	446	(2)
The Spouse as Caregiver	447	(1)
Adult Children as Caregivers	447	(1)
The Experience of Widowhood	448	(4)
Stages of Widowhood	448	(2)
Gender Differences in Widowhood	450	(1)
Beyond Widowhood	451	(1)
Lesbian and Gay Elderly	451	(1)
Implications for Social Policy	452	(1)
Summary	453	(1)
Key Terms	453	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	453	(1)
Additional Resources	454	(1)
Marriages and Families in the Twenty First Century: U.S. And World Trends	455	(45)
Challenges of a World Economy	457	(1)
Inequities in Income and Wealth	458	(1)
Health and Health Care	459	(9)
Trends in Drug Use and Associated Health Problems	465	(1)
Alcohol	466	(1)
Addiction and the Family	467	(1)
Meeting the Needs of Children: Foster Care and Adoption	468	(4)
Problems within the Child Welfare System	468	(1)
Characteristics of Adoptive Parents	469	(1)
International Adoptions	470	(1)
Transracial (Interracial) Adoptions	471	(1)
The Challenge of Racism and Ethnic and Religious Discrimination in family Life	472	(5)
Racism in the United States	473	(3)
Racism in a Global Context	476	(1)
Safety and Security: Gangs, Street Violence, and Violence in America's Schools	477	(6)
Terrorism and War	483	(8)
Terrorism in the United States	484	(1)
War	485	(4)
A World of Refugees	489	(2)
Families Coping with Loss: Dying and Death	491	(5)
The Process of Dying	491	(1)
The Needs and Tasks of the Dying	491	(1)
National Mourning	492	(2)
The Right-to-Die Movement	494	(2)
Strengthening Marriages and Families: The Ongoing Challenges of Living in a Global World	496	(1)
Summary	497	(1)
Key Terms	498	(1)
Questions for Study and Reflection	498	(1)
Additional Resources	499	(1)
Appendix A Sexual Dysfunctions and Sexually Transmitted Diseases	500	(4)
Appendix B Human Anatomy and Reproduction	504	(3)
Appendix C Methods of Abortion	507	(1)
Appendix D Methods of Birth Control	508	(4)
Glossary	512	(7)
References	519	(39)
Photo Credits	558	(1)
Name Index	559	(9)
Subject Index	568

Excerpts

In this fourth edition ofMarriages and Families: Diversity and Change,there is a conscious effort to present a continuity of major issues, concerns, and themes on contemporary marriages, families, and intimate relationships. Our initial resolve when writing the first edition of this textbook has not changed, and it informs this fourth edition as well. The subtitle of this book,Diversity and Change,continues to be the major thematic framework that runs through all 15 chapters and is informed by the scholarship of a wide variety of scholars, most notably scholars of color and feminist scholars in sociology and from across a number of other academic disciplines. The emphasis on diversity helps students to understand that there are many different forms of intimate relationships beyond the traditional heterosexual, two-parent, white, middle-class family and the legally sanctioned heterosexual marriage. As we show throughout this textbook, marriages and families more generally include single-parent families, headed by women or men; lesbian or gay families with or without children and with or without a live-in partner; adoptive and foster families; biracial and multiracial families; cohabiting couples involving heterosexual or homosexual partners; and blended families that emerge following divorce, remarriage, or simply when people bring to a new relationship children from a previous intimate relationship. In this context, we treat marriages and families as social constructs whose meanings have changed over time and from place to place. Consistent with this position, we continue to give high priority to framing our discussions of marriages and families in historical context. Most, if not all, aspects of our lives, are shaped by larger historical circumstances. To be born during a particular historical period is to experience intimacy, marriage, family life, childbearing and child rearing, family decision making, household labor, and marital and family satisfaction (to name a few) in particular ways that are germane to the time, place, and social structure within which we find ourselves. For example, the economic growth and prosperity of the 1950s, a period during which the nuclear family was idealized, encouraged or made possible this particular family structure. During this period both women and men married at early ages, had children within a relatively short interval from the wedding, and generally stayed married until the death of one spouse. For many families, a husband's income was sufficient to support the family. Thus, wives and mothers typically remained at home fulfilling domestic and child-care roles. Although economic conditions have changed, now often requiring multiple wage earners, this 1950s "idealized" image continues to dominate popular discourse on marriages and families. In the 1990s, however, most children were growing up either in single-parent families or in families where both parents worked outside the home. Framing our discussion of marriages and families in historical context not only provides students with knowledge about marriages and families in earlier periods of U.S. history but also enables them to understand and interpret the changes that are occurring around them in marriages and families today. Our objectives in this fourth edition are simple yet significant: to help students recognize and understand the dynamic nature of marriages, families, and intimate relationships; to enable students to recognize, confront, and dispel prominent myths about marriages, families, and intimate relationships; to help students see the interactive relationships of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation; to encourage an informed openness in student attitudes that will empower them to make informed choices and decisions in their own marriage, family, and intimate relationships; to enable students to see how marriages, families, and intimate re