GRAHAM ALLAN Professor of Sociology at Keele University, UK. His research interests focus on informal relationships, including friendships, family ties, and community sociology. He has published widely in these areas and is co-editor of the Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Family and Intimate Life book series.   GRAHAM CROW Professor of Sociology at the University of Southampton, UK and Deputy Director of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods. His research and teaching interests include family and community sociology, sociological theory, comparative sociology, and research methods.   SHEILA HAWKER A qualitative researcher who has worked on numerous projects concerned with families, older people, and end of life care. Her research interests include family sociology, quality of life in health care and qualitative research methods. She is Co-Director of C&S Academic Services, a company specialising in qualitative social and health services research.

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• Introduction Analysing Stepfamilies Case Illustrations Family Boundaries Step-mothering Step-children Step-fathering Step-children Stepfamily Kinship Conclusion: Change and Continuity Appendix 1: Research Methods Bibliography