Family Configurations

Eric D. Widmer is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Geneva, Switzerland

'Overall, the book makes a significant contribution to the literature on family structure and composition and makes an important call for the study of larger family networks. ... Widmer clearly illustrates the importance of relying on respondents' subjective reports of family rather than on preconceived notions about who relevant family members are. Families continue to matter, and the book makes it clear that people "do" family outside of nuclear families and that a network perspective is a fruitful way of understanding family dynamics.' American Journal of Sociology 'Widmer has written an interesting book which theologians and social theorists concerned with families must read.' INTAMS - Journal of the Study of Marriage & Spirituality

• Chapter 1 IntroductionFrom the Family Institution to Family Configurations; Chapter 1a A Configurational Perspective on Families; Chapter 2 Who Are My Family Members?; Chapter 3 Family Social Capital; Chapter 4 Family Conflicts; Chapter 5 Post-divorce Families; Chapter 6 Families and Psychiatric Problems; Chapter 7 Short-term Changes in Families; Chapter 8 Family Trajectories; Chapter 9 ConclusionIndividualized Families;