The Intentional Family: Simple Rituals to Strengthen Family Ties [Paperback]

William J. Doherty (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 1, 1999

Today's family is in crisis. Many diverse factors have combined to weaken its structure in American society: the conflicting needs and schedules of dual working parents; the ongoing fragmentation of our civic, cultural, and religious communities; the prevalence of divorce and remarriage; the advent of technological distractions like video games and computers. What was once a strong, cohesive unit has become, in many cases, no more than a loose grouping of individuals with individual timetables and agendas. However, now more that ever before, we have the freedom to shape the kind of family we want, rather that an obligation to conform to inflexible concepts of what a family should be.

Nationally respected family therapist William J. Doherty believes that we can strengthen the ties that bind us together-and create new, more permanent ones in the process-through the use of family-specific everyday rituals. The Intentional Family -- a practical guide to avoiding conflicts and promoting understanding -- offers a myriad of simple yet effective methods for opening regular channels of communication between parents and their children, husbands and wives: from shared family meals and vacations, to regular "storytime," weekly drives, religious services, and monthly "spouse only" romantic dinners. Clearly presented and engagingly written, here are proven and indispensable strategies for reviving a lost sense of family -- useful guidelines that will help us make the most of our most important relationships.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A family, like a canoe, must be steered or paddled, or it won't take you where you want to go." -- William J. Doherty

"A home improvement manual for the modern family. The advice will build strong and loving families." -- Mary Pipher, bestselling author of Reviving Ophelia

"Wise and compassionate, The Intentional Family is a 'user's guide' to building satisfying and lasting family ties. It belongs on every family's bookshelf." -- Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, author of The Divorce Culture

"A family, like a canoe, must be steered or paddled, or it won't take you where you want to go." -- -- William J. Doherty

"A home improvement manual for the modern family. The advice will build strong and loving families." -- -- Mary Pipher, bestselling author of Reviving Ophelia

"Sensible well-written Doherty offers up actual tips that will help families connect." -- USA Today

About the Author

William J. Doherty, Ph.D., is one of the leading family therapists in the country. He is a practicing therapist and Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Minnesota. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; 1 edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038073205X
• ISBN-13: 978-0380732050
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable, practical, down to earth advice for all families. October 26, 1999

By M. Stephen Chase

This is one of those rare psychology books related to family life that is eminently practical as well as theoretical. Dr. William Doherty does a fantastic job of blending a fairly simple, almost obvious, psychological concepts with ideas and suggestions you can actually use immediately in your daily life. I was never submerged in theory but had enough to appreciate the thought behind the suggestions. I was both inspired and challenged by what I read. If you work with or care about families and children I recommend you read this book. Thoughtful readers will be changed by what they read.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great text for designing couple and family practices November 17, 1999

By "cvanemon"

William Doherty provides an opportunity to reflect on the state of your relationship with your spouse and your children and he provides ideas to bring the family together. He is non-judgemental in his approach and is not an idealist, rather, he knows that people are busy and that it takes work (and some failure) to produce a family of meaning, love and togetherness. We have found this to be a very useful text for conversations with each other and with other couples.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential information! December 6, 1999

By B. Clauss

I read this book when it first came out in hard cover. Since then I have used it as a text book in a family resource management class I teach at a university (because family resources are not limited to money and "things").

Doherty has done a super job of translating what he knows as a family professional to the language of typical readers interested in improving family life. I believe every family should read this to reinforce the notion that material possessions don't make a great family. Actively attending to interpersonal relationships is the key to family success!