Family in Transition (15th Edition) [Paperback]

Arlene S. Skolnick (Author), Jerome H. Skolnick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0205578772 | ISBN-13: 978-0205578771 | Edition: 15

This bestselling reader on families and intimate relationships identifies the most current trends, places them in historical context, and balances cutting-edge scholarship with perennial favorites. The authors, who are leading scholars, build each new edition from classic literature in the field as well as the continuing stream of new family scholarship.

 

New articles to this edition covers topics such as, the changes in the transition from adolescence to adulthood, Census Bureau statistics on American family life, attitudes and beliefs of conservative Christians, domestic violence, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Family in Transition

Fifteenth Edition

Arlene S. Skolnick    n    Jerome H. Skolnick

 

 

This bestselling reader on families and intimate relationships identifies the most current trends and places them in historical context, balancing cutting edge scholarship with perennial favorites. The authors, who are leading scholars, build each new edition from classic literature in the field as well as from contemporary discourse on family.

 

Articles new to this edition cover a range of topics, including:

• The transition from adolescence to adulthood
• Current Census Bureau statistics on American family life
• Attitudes and beliefs in conservative Christian families
• Domestic violence
• The “silent revolution”  that led to the emergence of no-fault divorce
• The impact of class and race on family life, and more

Product Details

• Paperback: 552 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 15 edition (August 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205578772
• ISBN-13: 978-0205578771
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #493,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Relevant and timely articles about the "family unit", January 4, 2010

By 

Janice Oliver "SmileyGSmom" (Fremont, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Family in Transition (15th Edition) (Paperback)

I have been out of college for many years now but this text was loaned to me by a Sociology major after we had some interesting discussions about family issues, and despite this being a textbook, it was a pleasant surprise to enjoy reading it.

I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about the current issues of families in America and all the factors that affect the existence of a family; basically, the evolution of the "family" unit in the United States over the past few decades with a focus on recent years.

Current trends in American family life are discussed in a scholarly manner along with some debunking of popular myths about families. Excellent and for the most part easy-to-read text on the status of today's families, esp. with articles about the impact of class, race, educational level, socio-economic status and our aging population on what defines a family at this time (2008-2009).

Issues such as our longer lifespans are discussed as far as how it potentially means longer years in marriage and time alone together after the children have become independent, but it is also just as likely that couples may have their elderly parents to take care of, and/or adult children returning home due to the recent changes in the economy. The text also discusses the shift in the preferences of men and women away from marriage/family as an economic necessity and instead more about psychological fulfillment and building lifelong relationships within the family.

Changes in technology and a shift towards a service and information economy enable more jobs for women and can even allow for both men and women to work from home and still raise a family if they choose. However the economy has been unstable in recent years so this affects not only the adult children who may not be able to leave home and live independently, but also changes the dynamics within the family if suddenly the wife/mother becomes the primary wage earner and/or the husband/father is unable to find work at the same earning power as before. The text also discusses how over the years society's expectations remain the same for a mother's responsibilities whether she stays home with her children or is also working outside the home full-time, and the so-called "mommy wars."

The topics have been relevant personally so I admit to some bias in favorably reviewing this text because so much of what is discussed seems to accurately reflect real-life situations that I have lived through as well as those heard about via friends and relatives.

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Information but too much detail, January 27, 2010

By 

T. Brown (Northern California - USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Family in Transition (15th Edition) (Paperback)

This book has some good reading and is very informative, however it has alot of graphs and some of it is hard to continue reading for the boringness of all the details that most aren't really interested in that much. Some of it was very good, but when you got to the parts that weren't so good, it was hard to stay focused on what you were reading.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, November 13, 2009

By 

jeri "equiness" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Family in Transition (15th Edition) (Paperback)

This is one of those sellers that I would not hesitate to buy from again or recommend to others. The book is in great condition and I received it within 5 days of ordering.