Marriages and Families : Changes, Choices, and Constraints

by Benokraitis, Nijole V.

• ISBN13: 9780131305168
• ISBN10: 0131305166
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Exceptionally comprehensive, innately interesting, and extremely readable, this best-seller introduces readers to the study of contemporary marriages and families in ways to which they can easily relate. It examines thediversity of American families--giving equal attention to all racial, ethnic, and other societal groups--and examines not only thechoices , but theconstraints that often limit our family-related choices today. This open-minded approach, combined with a set of practical guidelines presented in each chapter, encourages learners to think and act for themselves--and thereby join the effort to resolve some of the crucial issues confronting 21st century families. A six-part organization places marriage and the family in perspective, looks at the individual and developing relationships, as well as the individual and marital commitments, considers parents and children, explores conflicts and crises, and offers an understanding of changes and transitions. For those interested in a complete and current study of marital and family relationships in America.

Table of Contents

Boxed Features	p. xiii
Preface	p. xv
About the Author	p. xxi
Marriage and the Family in Perspective
The Changing Family	p. 1
Studying Marriage and the Family	p. 26
The Family in Historical Perspective	p. 49
The Individual and the Developing Relationship
Gender Roles and Socialization	p. 72
Love and Loving Relationships	p. 105
Sexuality and Sexual Expression throughout Life	p. 130
Individual and Marital Commitments
Choosing Others: Dating and Mate Selection	p. 164
Singlehood, Cohabitation, and Other Nonmarital Living Arrangements	p. 192
Marriage and Communication in Intimate Relationships	p. 215
Parents and Children
To Be or Not to Be a Parent: More Choices, More Constraints	p. 244
Raising Children: Prospects and Pitfalls	p. 275
Racial and Ethnic Families: Strengths and Stresses	p. 304
Conflicts and Crises
Families and Work: Facing the Economic Squeeze	p. 332
Family Violence and Other Crisis-Related Issues	p. 365
Separation and Divorce	p. 395
Changes and Transitions
Remarriage and Stepfamilies: Life after Divorce	p. 425
Aging and Family Life: Grandparents, the Widowed, and Caregivers	p. 449
The Family in the Twenty-first Century	p. 476
Appendices
Sexual Anatomy	p. 490
Sexual Problems, Dysfunctions, and Treatment	p. 492
Conception, Pregnancy, and Childbirth	p. 494
Birth-control and Disease-prevention Techniques	p. 498
HIV/AIDS and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases	p. 502
Premarital and Nonmarital Agreements	p. 505
Glossary	p. 507
References	p. 512
Photo Credits	p. 551
Name Index	p. 552
Subject Index	p. 562
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