Sociology of the Family

Graham Allan is Reader in the Department of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Southampton. His previous publications include Family Life (1985) and Kinship and Friendship in Modern Britain (1996).

‘The Sociology of the Family: A Reader, edited by Graham Allan, range wisely across topics, from gender differences in emotional work in relationships to how couples manage their money and what it means … [The chapters] sparkle with energy and enthusiasm for the subject. This volume showcases the intellectual activity in family scholarship today.’ -- Linda Waite, Professor of Sociology and Co-Director, Alfred P. Sloan Center on Parents, Children and Work at the University of Chicago ‘The pieces chosen are not only of interest in their own right, but also, together with Allan’s introductions, serve as excellent guides to further reading. I cannot wait to be able to recommend this much-needed collection to students and researchers in this field.’ -- Dr David Morgan, Department of Sociology, The University of Manchester

• List of figures. List of tables.Acknowledgements.Introduction.Acknowledgements.Introduction.Part I: Changing Families: Introduction:.1. Social Reconstruction and the Emergence of Companionate Marriage, 1945-59: Janet Finch and Penny Summerfield.2. Liberalizing Heterosexuality?: Gail Hawkes.3. The One and the Many: Modernity and Post-Modernity: David Cheal.Part II: Marriage, Intimacy and Power: Introduction:.4. Love and Intimacy: The Gender Division of Emotion and 'Emotion Work': a Neglected Aspect of Sociological Discussion of Heterosexual Relationships: Jean Duncombe and Dennis Marsden.5. Partners by Choice: Equality, Power and Commitment in Non-Heterosexual Relationships: Jeffrey Weeks, Brian Heaphy and Catherine Donovan.6. Money, Power and Equality in Marriage: Carolyn Vogler and Jan Pahl.7. Uncovering Gender Differences in the Use of Marital Violence: The Effect of Methodology: James Nazroo.Part III: Domestic Organisation:.8. Cohabitation or Marriage? - Cohabitation: Susan McRae.9. Women's Work: Nickie Charles and Marion Kerr.10. The Household and the Labour Market: Lydia Morris.Part IV: Divorce and Lone-Parenthood:.11. Diversity and Ambiguity Among Lone-Parent Households in Modern Britain: Graham Crow and Mike Hardey.12. State, Family and Personal Responsibility: The Changing Balance for Lone Mothers in the United Kingdom: Jane Millar.13. The Interests of Children at Divorce: Martin Richards.Part V: Family, Kinship and Care. Introduction:.14. The Informal Sector of Welfare: A Crisis in Caring: Hilary Graham.15. Obligations of Kinship in Contemporary Britain: Is There Normative Agreement? Janet Finch and Jennifer Mason.16. Gender Differences in Informal Caring: Sara Arber and Jay Ginn.17. Living with Disability: The Experiences of Parents and Children: Sally Baldwin and Jane Carlisle.Index.