The Family 2006-2007

UNIT 1. Varied Perspectives on the Family<new>1. The World Historical Transformation of Marriage, Stephanie Coontz, Journal of Marriage and Family", November 2004Historian Stephanie Coontz takes the long view of over 5,000 years of recorded history on marriage" and its evolution over time. Many of the assumptions we have about marriage and family are based on a very immediate notion of "tradition," and, as she indicates, much of what we see as "new" has actually existed in the past and served the needs of family members at that time". The push by many to move to traditional marriage" is, in fact, a move to a modern form of marriage. The real traditional marriage would be unacceptable" to many promoting this concept in current society.<new>2. Children as a Public Good, Myra H. Strober, Dissent", Fall 2004In an individualistic society, like the United States, children as a private good" is often emphasized. Myra Strober, an economist, presents quite a different model, one of children as a public good" and one that requires collective solutions to issues related to their care".<new>3. Families and Family Study in International Perspective, Bert N. Adams, Journal of Marriage and Family", December 2004In an increasingly globalized world, families and family process must be understood from a broader perspective. The author argues that an international perspective on the family", which incorporates regional limitations, provides us with better tools to research, teach about, and serve families".UNIT 2. Exploring and Establishing RelationshipsPart A. Gender and Our View of the World<new>4. Gender Bender, Sadie F. Dingfelder, APA Monitor on Psychology", April 2004The author describes recent research evidence on the role of genes and prenatal hormones in gender identity and gender-related behaviors". These findings help illuminate the interplay between nature and nutrure in boys' and girls' behavior.5. Sexual Stereotypes, Jonathan Knight, Nature", January 17, 2002Bateman's principle, which states that males are promiscuous and females are choosy", has long been the basis of evolutionary theory and human sexual stereotypes. However, sociobiologists are finding increasing evidence of role reversals" involving female promiscuity in the animal world that contradicts this traditional dichotomy.Part B. Emotions and Relating6. Love Is Not" All You Need, Pepper Schwartz, Psychology Today", May/June 2002Although we may hope to believe that love is all that is needed to make a relationship work, Pepper Schwartz reports in this article that a number of compatibility factors" actually are crucial for the success of the relationship".<new>7. Great Expectations, Polly Shulman, Psychology Today", March/April 2004The expectation that our partner should be our soulmate" is-according to this article that combines the research and experience of many relationship experts-a recipe for disaster and unhappiness".Part C. Mate Selection8. Go Ahead, Kiss Your Cousin: Heck, Marry Her if You Want To, Richard Conniff, Discover", August 2003Contrary to common belief, one of the most common sources of a spouse has traditionally been cousins", even first-cousins. Shared values" and proximity make such unions attractive. One fear of these unions, risk to offspring, may be less serious than commonly thought. Children produced from these unions are only at a slightly higher genetic risk" than the general population.9. Interracial Intimacy, Randall Kennedy, The Atlantic Monthly", December 2002Increasing numbers of people are choosing to date and marry persons of a race different from their own". The development of this trend is being met with resistance-more often by African Americans than others. Some see this as a racial betrayal", others view it as an individual choice", and a third, smaller group, sees it as a positive step".<new>10. New Technologies and Our Feelings: Romance on the Internet, Christine Rosen, Current", June 2004Pressed for time and stressed by the process, increasing numbers of individuals are turning to electronic means of finding dating and mating partners". The author discusses the pros and cons of these approaches.Part D. Sexuality11. Sexual Satisfaction in Premarital Relationships: Associations With Satisfaction, Love, Commitment, and Stability, Susan Sprecher, The Journal of Sex Research", August 2002This study reports that sexual satisfaction is associated with relationship quality and stability in premarital relationships". Throughout the existence of premarital relationships, sexual satisfaction is significantly related to relationship satisfaction", love", and commitment". Evidence also exists for a relationship between sexual satisfaction and relationship stability".<new>12. Reinventing Sex, Eric Garland, The Futurist", November/December 2004Changing attitudes, behaviors, and resources will affect how we approach sex and sexuality" in the future. Already, we are seeing an expansion of choices facilitated by advances in communication and sensory technology", with broad options in the future.Part E. Conception and Pregnancy13. The Abortion Wars: 30 Years After Roe v. Wade, Linda Feldmann, The Christian Science Monitor", January 22, 2003Abortion," although legal in the United States, is highly controversial. With increasingly conservative legislatures, those who hope to make abortion illegal" see new possibilities for that to happen. Others who believe the choice of abortion" should remain legal think that physicians should be trained in the procedure to facilitate that.14. Brave New Babies, Claudia Kalb, Newsweek", January 26, 2004Whether or not to have a child" is not the only decision facing some parents. The power to choose the sex of their children is now a possibility", and some parents are electing to do so, sometimes for controversial reasons".15. Making Time for a Baby, Nancy Gibbs, Time", April 15, 2002As women age, they face a diminishing capacity to produce a child". Assisted reproduction technologies" may improve their odds of having a child, but there are risks associated with these technologies".16. Barren, Deborah Derrickson Kossmann, Psychotherapy Networker", July/August 2002This first-person account of the heartbreak of infertility" covers the lovemaking-to-making-babies transition, miscarriages, medical treatments, struggles with choices and options, and the effects on both partners and their relationship". The ending is not a storybook one, but a realistic resolution.Part F. The Next Generation17. Who's Raising Baby?, Anne R. Pierce, The World & I", February 2002What happens to self-esteem" and emotional/personality development" when babies are rushed to do everything sooner and better than others? The author contends that parenting" and intimacy" should be more about love and learning. Through play, babies discover their individuality and genetically driven interests". Pressuring them to conform to gender-stereotyped" activities (e.g. sports vs. ballet) or academic pursuits is miseducation.<new>18. Hard-Sell Adoption, Sue Ferguson, Maclean's", July 26, 2004In an effort to increase the rate of adoptions", various agencies have moved to using aggressive marketing of the children", through web sites", videos", and other very public means. Questions have been raised about the ethics of marketing these children", but advocates of adoption are desperate for such strategies to work.UNIT 3. Finding a Balance: Maintaining RelationshipsPart A. Marriage and Other Committed Relationships<new>19. The Future of Marriage, Harbour Fraser Hodder, Harvard Magazine", November/December 2004Changes in marriage are nothing new. Debates about the role of marriage", who should and should not be able to marry", and what rights are associated with marriage" go on. According to the author, marriage will continue to change", and may look very different from its present form.20. Marriage at First Sight, Paula Span, The Washington Post Magazine", February 23, 2003Arranged marriages" have a long history in Indian society. Many families have brought this tradition with them to the United States where Indian immigrants, including professional women, choose to marry in this way.Part B. Relationships Between Parents and Children<new>21. Spanking Children: Evidence and Issues, Alan E. Kazdin and Corina Benjet, Current Directions in Psychological Science", June 2003Disciplinary measure, especially spanking, have always generated controversy. Alan Kazdin and Corina Benjet discuss how spanking should be defined and offer three different views of spanking. This article describes research on spanking and the impact of such punishment on development processes.22. Father Nature: The Making of a Modern Dad, Douglas Carlton Abrams, Psychology Today", March/April 2002When men become fathers and are involved in rearing their children, they undergo hormonal changes" that shape their behavior and encourage them to feel a strong bond with their children".23. What About Black Fathers?, Ronald B. Mincy, The American Prospect", April 8, 2002Public policy regarding parental responsibilities needs to attend to the particular concerns of low income African American fathers". These men may not marry their partner", but many remain involved in their children's lives". Thus, the emphasis should be on strengthening existing family forms" rather than enforcing a simplisitic solution.24. Adoption by Lesbian Couples, Susan Golombok, British Medical Journal", June 15, 2002This article addresses the controversy regarding potential short- and long-term risks to children raised in same-sex households. In the review of the literature, the author found no difference between children raised in same-sex households and those raised by heterosexual couples."25. Are Married Parents Really Better for Children?, Mary Parke, Family Focus on Marriage", September 2003The author chronicles the changes in family structure" and the impact on children" (or lack thereof) of the changes in family structure.26. The Perma Parent Trap, Pamela Paul, Psychology Today", September/October 2003As life demands increase and expectations for what their life should be like, young Americans are moving back in with their parents" and depending on them for financial help". Although parents are often supportive" of these choices, the result may be financial and emotional strain" for the parents.Part C. Other Family Relationships27. Oldest, Youngest, or In Between, Margaret Renkl, Parenting", June/July 2002Margaret Renkl examines the perennial issue of whether birth order" determines personality traits. Renkl takes the stance that the two indeed are connected, in fact that birth order heavily influences personality". The article delineates what some of the consequent differences in personality are as well as the advantages and challenges of these differences. The article also discloses how parents can cope with raising siblings" of different ages.<new>28. Being a Sibling, Steven L. Baumann, Tina Taylor Dyches, and Marybeth Braddick, Nursing Science Quarterly", January 2005Being a sibling can be challenging and paradoxical". It can also provide us with opportunities and rewards". In this study, the authors look at the question of what it means to be a sibling", especially when one's brother or sister is recognizably different from others.<new>29. Aunties and Uncles, John Tyler Connoley, The Advocate", June 8, 2004"Family" can mean much more than the people who are legally our kin". John Tyler Connoley grew up as a missionary kid, surrounded by a family that included many loving and caring people to whom he had no legal tie". He has continued this inclusive view of family" and has maintained it in his current home.UNIT 4. Challenges and OpportunitiesPart A. Family Violence and Chaos30. Hitting Home, Cara Feinberg, The American Prospect", April 8, 2002This article discusses the potential risks of promoting marriage as the primary solution for social and moral problems and of making divorce more difficult, even when violence is present in the relationship. Combined with a "blame the victim" mentality, these efforts threaten to roll back efforts to combat domestic violence."31. The Myths and Truths of Family Abduction, Nancy B. Hammer, USA Today", September 2003The most common image of child abduction is that of a stranger abducting the child. In fact, the most common form of abduction is by a family member, usually the non-custodial parent.Part B. Sexual Issues and Infidelity<new>32. The Secret Lives of Wives, Lorraine Ali and Lisa Miller, Newsweek", July 12, 2004Called the new infidelity, marriage therapists now report that the gap between men and women who are unfaithful is narrowing. The article examines 3,000 years of female adultery with a current-day focus on factors that appear to contribute to the rise-at home, in the workplace, and on the internet.Part C. Economic Issues<new>33. Till Debt Do Us Part, Mary Loftus, Psychology Today", November/December 2004Although sexual infidelity is often seen as the way in which partners can "cheat" in their relationship", increasing numbers of couples engage in another form of marital infidelity in which they lead covert financial lives" that can have devastating effects on the relationship" when the truth is revealed.34. For Better or Worse: Couples Confront Unemployment, Marilyn Gardner, The Christian Science Monitor", May 28, 2003The loss of a job" can put a great deal of strain on a marriage." Repeated job losses, company mergers, moves, and economic instability can result in what may seem like insurmountable emotional and relational challenges." Unemployment is up and job availability is down. This article describes ways in which couples dealing with unemployment have worked to maintain their relationship" during the job search process.<new>35. Keeping Work and Life in Balance, Vicki Powers, TD", July 2004Corporations interested in hiring and retaining talented employees are learning that it is important to facilitate a balance between work and home life". This article describes how several corporations shifted their priorities and resources" to do just that.Part D. Health Concerns in the Family36. The Binds That Tie-and Heal: How Families Cope With Mental Illness, Herbert Gravitz, Psychology Today", March/April 2001Families of those with mental illness are often viewed as causing or contributing to their illness. Yet, their families" can be one of the most important factors in the outcome of the mental illness", and this can be for both good and ill.<new>37. Love Her Tender, Marc Silver, U.S. News & World Report", October 11, 2004When faced with his wife's breast cancer", men are faced with a situation they can not fix or control", and must learn new skills for helping and supporting their wives". This article describes how men adapted so each could build a new relationship with his wife.Part E. War and Terrorism38. Home Alone, Adam Piore, Newsweek", March 17, 2003The number of single mothers" serving in the U.S. armed forces" has nearly doubled since the last gulf war. When they are called up for active duty," they may leave young children" behind to be cared for by economically and emotionally stressed family members."39. Terrorism, Trauma, and Children: What Can We Do?, Linda Goldman, Healing", Spring 2002Children's reaction to terrorism", war, anthrax, and the perceived loss of safety and protection" are discussed. Linda Goldman gives advice about talking to children" about terrorism, trauma, and war" and what children can do about their fears.Part F. Divorce and Remarriage40. Marriage and Divorce American Style, E. Mavis Hetherington, The American Prospect", April 8, 2002For children, is marriage always preferable to divorce? Mavis Hetherington" reports from her long-standing research program that parental divorce does not have the dramatic effect on children that it is commonly believed to have". In some cases, parental divorce is preferable to living in a hostile and emotionally toxic household.41. Dating After Divorce, David Anderson and Rosemary Clandos, Psychology Today", January/February 2003David Anderson and Rosemary Clandos present five tips for individuals reentering the dating" scene after a divorce". These tips emphasize self-analysis" and personal awareness" in making the transition from married to available after a sometimes emotionally battering divorce process.42. Managing a Blended Family, Sheryl Nance-Nash, Black Enterprise", February 2004Bringing together families to form a blended family", either from previous marriages or relationships, will be challenging. In addition to cultural, social, and personality differences", is the challenge of merging two different financial systems". This article provides tips on how this can be done.Part G. Death and Grief<new>43. Death of One's Partner: The Anticipation and the Reality, Florence W. Kaslow, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice", June 2004The death of one's partner", whether marital or not, can be one of the most tragic events" in a person's life. Florence Kaslow describes various factors that contribute to the complexity of the loss", and suggests ways in which one might manage the effects of the loss and grief".UNIT 5. Families, Now and Into the Future44. Breaking Free of the Family Tree, Jennifer Matlack, Health", September 2001Looking at your family history for evidence of patterns of behavior" can help us to understand the decisions we make in relationships" and what draws us to other people.45. Getting the Word, Sharon DeBartolo Carmack, Family Tree Magazine", April 2000Interviewing family members," using oral history" techniques, can enrich one's understanding of family members" and create a sense of "place" in the continuity of one's family. This article describes how one might go about doing such an interview.46. Examining Family Rituals, Grace M. Viere, The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families", July 2001This scholarly article explores the definitions and classification of family rituals". Ways of differentiating rituals from routines" as well as reports of empirical studies of the use are also presented.