The Expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family, and Social Perspectives [with MyHelpingLab Access Code]

by Betty A. Carter, Monica McGoldrick

Now featured in a Classics Edition with a new Foreword by Donald Boch, The Expanded Family Life Cycle integrates theory and current research with clinical guidelines and cases by two of the most-respected authors, teachers, and clinicians in the field of family therapyÅCarter and Monica McGoldrick. This classic Family Therapy text provides “and more comprehensive way to think about human development and the life cycle,” reflecting changes in society away from orientation toward the nuclear family, toward a more diverse and inclusive definition of “family.” This expanded view of the family includes the impact of issues at multiple levels of the human the individual, family households, the extended family, the community, the cultural group, and the larger society. The text features a ground-breaking integration of individual male and female development in systemic context; our increasing racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity; the emergence of men's movements and issues; the growing visibility of lesbian and gay families; and the neglected area of social class.

Genres: Grad School, Psychology, Social Work

560 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Elizabeth A. Carter

Reviews

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Either this book got less radical, or I got more radical as I read it. This is a collaboration of chapters from various different authors--all around the theme of the life cycle.

The focus that I saw in this book was that there are many factors that influence one's life. Culture, class, siblings, divorce, sexual orientation, substance abuse, violence are a few.

The reason I say this book is radical is that, at the beginning of the book, it seemed ultra-feminist. I consider myself pretty liberal and open minded, but being constantly hit over the head with "Women have it so bad compared to men" a million times in one paragraph (maybe an exageration), I had trouble reading it. Thankfully, the book did not stay that way the entire time, and there was some very interesting things to learn.

A bigger problem I felt was how outdated the research in the book was (ready for a new edition!).

And, for all that it said about multiculturalism--there was NO mention of Native Americans in ANY chapter. Talk about marginalizing a group. In the chapter that was devoted to culture and the life cycle, the authors even broke out an "Irish" and "Jewish" group...but NOTHING on Native Amricans...this is the more unforgivable thing...

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read so far on the developmental markers of an individual and family. The authors are extremely thorough in their assessments of family interaction and the family life cycle.

I plan on selling a large portion of the books I purchased this quarter but this one is a keeper for the career.

Will look for other books by these authors. Very clear and entertaining text book. What a refreshing relief.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I use this in a course that I teach at NCU. I really don't like it, but it's the required text for the course. What it does do well is give a broad overview, and it does do a good job of addressing diversity issues.

[JoyfulK · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to practice family therapy, or are practicing family therapy, or you are working with children or teens doing any form of counseling or therapy, read this book. It's an excellent discussion of the 21st century family in all its diverse forms.

[Jeanine Marie Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent review of the social, cultural, ethnic, biological, and spiritual aspects of families over the human life cycle.

[Peter Poot]

good book

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I read almost this entire book, but I don't remember a single thing it said.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read.