Family Communication: Cohesion and Change

by Kathleen M. Galvin, Carma L. Bylund, Bernard J. Brommel

Family Communication: Cohesion and Change encourages students to observe family interaction patterns analytically and relate communication theories to family interactions. Using a framework of family functions, first-person narratives, and current research, Family Communication: Cohesion and Change emphasizes the diversity of today's families in terms of structure, ethnic patterns, and developmental experiences.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Communication

434 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Ebony · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finally finished Family Cohesion: Communication and Change. If I was bored; my students are in trouble. The book is essentially 336 pages of lists and lists and lists. My students will never do the reading. It took me a month to get through the book. Granted, I read a little a day, but that proves it’s not the kind of textbook even a professor can get engrossed in. And the wildly exclusionary cover totally turned me off. A white woman and two white girls on the cover of a family communication textbook in 2014 is unacceptable. The glaring omission of diversity on the cover is reflected throughout the text. This is the 8th edition so there are passing moments of “oh, this doesn’t seem to apply to black, Chinese, or gay people but mainstream families do indeed respond in this way.” No mention of interracial relationships, racially diverse step families, or prison as a family stressor. No real data on immigrating families or infidelity. I can usually count on the sex chapters to be interesting but the intimacy chapter was one of the most boring in the book and that’s saying a lot since the entire book was boring. After chapter four the book becomes less about communication and more about cohesion and change. At least that surprise was reflected in the subtitle. I can’t teach this. Even if I teach around it, I don’t want my students paying $60 for a book that is inherently behind the times. The only thing worse than the lists and the lack of diversity is the gloss on technology. It’s like the authors are afraid to move into the 21st century. The data is dated. Stats from a 2009 article were probably from 2007 or even earlier depending on the pipeline for publication. Did I mention it’s almost 2014? The updated editions are for the money and not because of the content. I cannot in good conscience recommend or select this text.

[Jaime Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative! This is a wonderful resource if you work with families