"A very comprehensive and modern textbook on the family!"--Ernest Rhodes, Tennessee State University"This text continues, in its newest edition, the features that have always made it exemplary for those who wish to teach sociology along with knowledge of marriage and family problems."--Teaching SociologyPraise for previous editions: "Excellent... with good coverage of the social scientific literature on the family."--Ernest Barth, University of Washington"Very well written....The context is clear, topics are well developed and are expressed with a minimum of professional jargon. The essentials are presented in an accurate historical and sociological manner."--Ferris C. Baker, Hendrix College"At last, here is an introductory text that my students and I can both agree upon. It meets their needs of readability, simplicity, relevant information, and clear organization, and my needs for breadth and depth on family topics."--Journal of Marriage and Family"Well written and...extremely well documented with footnotes and suggested readings...a valuable contribution to the study of the family. Its strength rests in the thorough cross-cultural and historical analysis, and the author's measured success in connecting sociological theory to the study of the family."--Social Forces"Excellent, since I am teaching a course in marriage and family viewed from a cross-cultural perspective."--Orille R. Gran, Chapman CollegePraise for the sixth edition: "Covers a wide variety of content in a readable fashion and on that basis alone deserves its solid position among similar texts in the area."--Contemporary Psychology