Family Matters: An Introduction to Family Sociology in Canada

Family Matters: An Introduction to Family Sociology in Canada


Author: Barbara A. Mitchell
ISBN: 9781551303413
Published: January, 2009
Format: Paperback; 384 pages



This refreshingly succinct and engaging introduction to family sociology in Canada has a strong focus on contemporary theory and research on a wide variety of substantive issues relevant to the lives of students from diverse family backgrounds. This book is organized into three interrelated areas: the study of continuity, diversity, inequality, and social change in families; the life course of families across the generations; and critical issues facing families today, including social policy issues.




Author

Barbara A. Mitchell is Associate Professor of Sociology at Simon Fraser University, jointly appointed in the Department of Gerontology. She is the coordinator of the Family Studies Certificate Program.


Table of Contents
Part I: Conceptualizing and Studying Continuity, Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change in Families

Chapter 1: Family Matters: An Introduction to the Sociology of Canadian Families
Chapter 2: Family Theory and Methods: Windows on Families and Family Research
Chapter 3: Canadian Families in Anthropological, Cross-cultural, and Global Perspective
Chapter 4: Aboriginal Families, Immigration, and the Changing Ethnic Mosaic of Canadian Families
Chapter 5: More Than a Labour of Love: Gender and the Cult of Domesticity

Part II: The Life Course of Families across the Generations

Chapter 6: Close Relations in Youth and Young Adulthood: Intimacy, Sexuality, Commitment, and Family Formation
Chapter 7: Families and Children in the Early Years: Childhood, Socialization, and Shifting Ideologies of Parenthood
Chapter 8: All Our Families: Diversity, Continuity, and Challenge in Lesbian, Gay, and Transgendered Families
Chapter 9: Family Dissolution and the Brady Bunch: Separation, Divorce, and Remarriage
Chapter 10: Families in the Middle and the Launching of Children: Home-leaving, Boomerang Kids, and the Empty Nest
Chapter 11: Aging Families and the Sunset Years: Caregiving and Support across the Generations

Part III: Critical Issues Facing Families and Social Policy Issues

Chapter 12: Families Facing Health Challenges and the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles
Chapter 13: Trying to Make Ends Meet: Family Poverty, Living on the Margins, and Economic Struggle
Chapter 14: Families in Crisis: Family Violence, Abuse, and Stress
Chapter 15: Families and the State: Family Policy in an Era of Globalization and Economic Restructuring

Index
Features
Identifies feminist issues and the importance of viewing family life from a gendered lens thereby providing a critical, sociological focus on the changing role of women in families.

Discusses the life course and aging, social inequality, and health issues within the context of socioeconomic and political environments amidst rapid social and technological change.

Explores the connection between family trends and patterns and social policy issues and recognizes that policies can only be effective if they are built on a foundation of gender equality, income adequacy, and accessibility to health care.
Reviewers
I like the ways in which this text is grounded in Canadian sociology. I appreciate this book because it provides socio-historical and cross-cultural context. This is a good piece of work. It adopts an approach that would be easy to follow. I would recommend Family Matters.�
” Kate Krug, Cape Breton University

[Family Matters provides] new perspectives on feminist theory, family policy, and recent developments in family research (e.g., on fathering, gay and lesbian families, etc.) without sacrificing the older ˜standard' topics in the Sociology of the Family.�
” Linda Cohen, Memorial University

Family Matters includes some material I haven't seen [in other books]. This approach presents a different way to draw some conclusions and give material for future thought, and I like it.�
” Paula Chegwidden, Acadia University

Family Matters will be an excellent resource to have in the area of sociology of the family. I would be pleased to use this in my class.
” Kathleen Moss, Carleton University

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