Understanding the Life Course

Lorraine Green is an independent social sciences and social work consultant, formerly of the Universities of Manchester and Nottingham

"It is excellent to have this second edition of Understanding the Life Course. It is thoroughly updated and Lorraine Green has continued to provide us with a text which is both ambitious and very readable. It will be invaluable to a range of students on both academic and professional courses who require an insightful and integrated sociological and psychological analysis of the life course."  - Nigel Parton, University of Huddersfield"A thorough understanding of the life course requires a strong grasp of both macro- and micro-social influences on our lives, ranging from major historical events to our most intimate family relationships. This excellent book is the only one I know of to put its interdisciplinary approach front and centre, underscoring the ways that psychological theories of identity and development, and sociological research on inequalities, shape the diversity of human experiences in childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. An original, engaging and informative book that will be well received across a range of social science disciplines." - Deborah Carr, Professor of Sociology, Rutgers University"Lorraine Green has produced an outstanding second version of this successful and wide-ranging book. Retaining the sophistication and accessibility of the first edition, she has carefully updated material, including new nuanced analyses of the concept of resilience and neuro-developmental understandings." - Sue White, Professor of Social Work, University of Birmingham

• IntroductionChapter 1: Key Life Course Principles and TheoriesChapter 2: Traditional and Modern Psychological Approaches to ChildrenChapter 3: The New Social Studies of ChildhoodChapter 4: Adolescence and YouthChapter 5: Young AdulthoodChapter 6: Middle AdulthoodChapter 7: Old AgeChapter 8: Death, Dying, Grief and LossConclusion