Choices and Constraints in Family Life

LIST OF TABLES AND BOXES; PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; LEARNING OBJECTIVES; INTRODUCTION; DEFINING FAMILIES; HISTORICAL CHANGES IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILIES; FAMILY POLICIES AND THE STATE; GENDER, CLASS, ETHNICITY, AND FAMILY POLICIES; CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL VARIATIONS IN FAMILIES; FAMILY STRUCTURE; AUTHORITY AND LINEAGE; MARRIAGE SYSTEMS; MULTICULTURALISM AND CULTURAL CLASHES; CONCLUSION; QUESTIONS FOR CRITICAL THOUGHT; QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE; SUGGESTED READINGS; SUGGESTED WEBSITES; LEARNING OBJECTIVES; INTRODUCTION; SOCIAL STRUCTURE SHAPES FAMILY PATTERNS; INTERPERSONAL FACTORS SHAPE FAMILY LIFE; IDEAS, GLOBAL CULTURE, AND PUBLIC DISCOURSE INFLUENCE FAMILY LIFE; THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK USED IN THIS BOOK; METHODS OF FAMILY RESEARCH; CONCLUSION; QUESTIONS FOR CRITICAL THOUGHT; QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE; SUGGESTED READINGS; SUGGESTED WEBSITES; LEARNING OBJECTIVES; INTRODUCTION; THE SOCIAL REGULATION OF SEXUALITY AND COURTSHIP; DATING AND SEXUALITY IN THE PAST; EARLY PATTERNS OF COURTSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT; CURRENT DATING AND SEXUAL PRACTICES; DATING ABUSE; REMAINING SINGLE; FINDING PARTNERS: ADVERTISING VERSUS TRADITION; THE TRANSITION FROM DATING TO COHABITATION; RISING RATES OF COHABITATION; THE SOCIAL AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF INCREASED COHABITATION; CONCLUSION; QUESTIONS FOR CRITICAL THOUGHT; QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE; SUGGESTED READINGS; SUGGESTED WEBSITES; LEARNING OBJECTIVES; INTRODUCTION; NEGOTIATING THE TRANSITION FROM COHABITATION TO MARRIAGE; WHO MARRIES WHOM?; THE RISE IN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE; LEGAL MARRIAGE RATES; CULTURAL PRACTICES IN MARRIAGE; PREFERRED MARRIAGE PARTNERS AND THE EXCHANGE OF GIFTS; RESIDENCE, RELATIONS WITH KIN, AND SURNAMES; WESTERN WEDDINGS AND MARRIAGE PRACTICES; MARRIAGE QUALITY; MALE VIOLENCE AGAINST FEMALE PARTNERS; BARRIERS TO LEGAL MARRIAGE; CONCLUSION; QUESTIONS FOR CRITICAL THOUGHT; QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE; SUGGESTED READINGS; SUGGESTED WEBSITES; LEARNING OBJECTIVES; INTRODUCTION; PARENTING AND CHILDHOOD IN THE PAST; FERTILITY PATTERNS; WHY HAVE CHILDREN?; ASSISTED CONCEPTION AND SURROGACY; PREGNANCY AND MATERNITY PRACTICES; CHILD-REARING PRACTICES; SOCIALIZATION AND GENDER ROLES; RESEARCH ON FATHERING; SAME-SEX PARENTING; PARENTING CHALLENGES AND CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING; THE EXTENSION OF ADOLESCENCE; CHILD WELFARE ISSUES; STATE SUPPORT FOR CHILD-REARING; CONCLUSION; QUESTIONS FOR CRITICAL THOUGHT; QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE; SUGGESTED READINGS; SUGGESTED WEBSITES; LEARNING OBJECTIVES; INTRODUCTION; COHABITATION, MARRIAGE, AND HOUSEWORK; EARLY STUDIES OF HOUSEHOLD WORK; CURRENT STUDIES ON HOUSEHOLD WORK; HOUSEHOLD WORK, PAID WORK, AND STRESS; HOUSEHOLD MONEY AND WEALTH ACCUMULATION; CHANGING LABOUR MARKETS; GENDER AND WORK; EMPLOYMENT AND PARENTHOOD; DEALING WITH CHILD POVERTY; PARENTAL LEAVE AND CHILD-CARE SUBSIDIES FOR EMPLOYED PARENTS; CONCLUSION: THE GROWING IMPACT OF PAID WORK ON FAMILY LIFE; QUESTIONS FOR CRITICAL THOUGHT; QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE; SUGGESTED READINGS; SUGGESTED WEBSITES; LEARNING OBJECTIVES; INTRODUCTION; WHY ARE SO MANY COUPLES SEPARATING?; OUTCOMES OF SEPARATION AND DIVORCE; FAMILY AND DIVORCE LAWS; MARRIAGE, GENDER, AND PROPERTY; REFORMS IN CHILD CUSTODY AND RESIDENCE PATTERNS; REFORMS IN ASSESSMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT; CHILDREN, SEPARATION, AND DIVORCE; REMARRIAGE AND STEPFAMILIES; CONCLUSION; QUESTIONS FOR CRITICAL THOUGHT; QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE; SUGGESTED READINGS; SUGGESTED WEBSITES; LEARNING OBJECTIVES; INTRODUCTION; THE CHANGING MEANING OF AGING; LIFE EXPECTANCY, THE LIFE CYCLE, AND AGING; MID-LIFE: IS IT A TIME OF SECURITY OR CRISIS?; LIFE SATISFACTION AND MARRIAGE STABILITY; GRANDPARENTING AND WIDOWHOOD; RETIREMENT INCOME AND PENSIONS; BECOMING FRAIL OR DISABLED; DOES AGING MAKE PEOPLE MORE CONSERVATIVE?; CONCLUSION; QUESTIONS FOR CRITICAL THOUGHT; QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE; SUGGESTED READINGS; SUGGESTED WEBSITES; LEARNING OBJECTIVES; INTRODUCTION; PREDICTING FUTURE FAMILY PATTERNS; WILL PEOPLE STILL GET MARRIED?; WILL PEOPLE STILL HAVE CHILDREN?; HOW WILL COUPLES COMBINE EARNING AND CARING?; WILL COUPLES STAY TOGETHER?; WILL AGING BE A PROBLEM?; THE FUTURE OF FAMILY STUDIES; QUESTIONS FOR CRITICAL THOUGHT; QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE; SUGGESTED READINGS; SUGGESTED WEBSITE; GLOSSARY; REFERENCES; INDEX