Black Families at the Crossroads: Challenges and Prospects [Paperback]

Leanor Boulin Johnson (Author), Robert Staples (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787972223 | ISBN-13: 978-0787972226 | Publication Date: September 29, 2004 | Edition: Revised

This updated edition of the classic book Black Families at the Crossroads, offers a comprehensive examination of the diverse and complex issues surrounding Black families. Leanor Boulin Johnson and Robert Staples combine more than sixty years of writing and research on Black families to offer insights into the pre-slavery development of the Black middle class, internal processes that affect all class strata among Black American families, the impact of race on modern Black immigrant families, the interaction of external forces and internal norms at each stage of the Black family life cycle, and public policies that provide challenges and promising prospects for the continuing resilience of the Black family as an American institution. This thoroughly revised edition features new research, including empirical studies and theoretical applications, and a review of significant social polices and economic changes in the past decade and their impact on Black families.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Addresses the diverse and complex issues surrounding the black family in America. Offers a comprehensive examination of the black family unit as it has evolved in contemporary society—looking at how economics, racism, culture, and politics have affected the dynamics of family relations. Examines all dimensions of family life, going beyond statistics to explain the reasons behind dating and sexual norms, patterns of marital interaction, the prevalence of the female-headed household, and characteristics of family life among the aged. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

This updated edition of the classic book Black Families at the Crossroads offers a comprehensive examination of the diverse and complex issues surrounding Black families. Leanor Boulin Johnson and Robert Staples combine more than sixty years of writing and research on Black families to offer insights into the pre-slavery development of the Black middle class, internal processes that affect all class strata among Black American families, the impact of race on modern Black immigrant families, the interaction of external forces and internal norms at each stage of the Black family life cycle, and public policies that provide challenges and promising prospects for the continuing resilience of the Black family as an American institution. This thoroughly revised edition features new research, including empirical studies and theoretical applications and a review of significant social policies and economic changes in the past decade and their impact on Black families.

Praise for the First Edition

"Those who work with Black families will find the book a helpful resource, and thoughtful lay people will find that the text augments what they have long suspected. Irrespective of experience levels, all readers will more fully appreciate the fact that the Black family is far from a monolithic, deficient, or amoral institution."
–Family Relations

"Authors Robert Staples and Leanor Boulin Johnson describe how external forces, such as economics, racism, culture, and politics, shape the dynamics of the modern Black family."
–Ebony

"This work makes a significant contribution to the field."
–Journal of Marriage and the Family

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; Revised edition (September 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787972223
• ISBN-13: 978-0787972226
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!, March 17, 2011

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Madeline - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Families at the Crossroads: Challenges and Prospects (Jossey-Bass Social & Behavioral Science) (Hardcover)

This book was in great condition, and to my surprise, looked as if it were brand new. I ordered it for a course I am enrolled in, but after reading the first couple of chapters, it was so interesting that I decided to share it with my co-workers. I am presently employed at a school that has an enrollment of predominantly African American students. This book has given me greater insight of the behaviors of those students I have come in contact with. I really enjoy reading and have found the perfect place to order books...Thanks to Amazon.com.

5.0 out of 5 stars The History of the Family, May 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Families at the Crossroads: Challenges and Prospects (Jossey-Bass Social & Behavioral Science) (Hardcover)

I had to read this book for my African American Experience Class, it was a throughly awesome revelation of the effects of slavery has had on Black people. Not to say the effects it takes on the many generations now and to come, if one is not aware of how to break the cycle.