Families As They Really Are

by Barbara J. Risman (Editor), Virginia Rutter (Editor)

A fresh collection of original essays by leading scholars that explores how families operate in everyday life. A fresh collection of original essays by leading scholars that explores how families operate in everyday life. Families As They Really Are , Second Edition, gets to the heart of the family values debate by re-framing the question about families from “Are they breaking down?” to “Where are they going, how, and why?” Written by an interdisciplinary community of experts who study and work with families, the essays in this book draw on the latest social science research and clinical expertise. These essays aren't reprints; every article is an original contribution to the research and theory about families―written specifically with undergraduate readers in mind.

Genres: Sociology, Textbooks, Nonfiction

788 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2009

Reviews

[Rachel Nickens · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good compilation with short chapters on the realities of 21st century families in America. Easily accessible for the curious general public, but also rigorous enough for classroom use. My only complaint is that the “voice” of many of the authors is lost in the editing to short summary chapters. Many of the authors write in a much more engaging fashion in their original books or articles.

[Jordan Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for a sociology class and really enjoyed the short essays that informed the readers about families and sex in the 21st century.
It is a textbook I plan on saving because it had so much information.

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was an interesting read, I had to read it for my Sociology of the Family class. Good stuff inside this book, worth reading.

[Susan Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good book with excellent data but the layout of it is so clinical that your eyes start closing after reading a few paragraphs.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This textbook was composed of short essays on various topics regarding families. I enjoyed this format and the depth and scope of information presented much more than traditional textbooks.

[Tristan Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of family studies and issues of family and inequality in the U.S. I'm using it in my 2000-level course right now. The best part of this text is that the chapters are so short and digestible. I think the editor had something to do with that. There's an incredible amount of (extremely accessible) information here. It's great for course adoption, but also for someone outside of sociology who wants to get a better idea how to interpret data on the family.

[Anna Collver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good psychology book highly recommended to anyone interested in improving their family life.

[Amanda W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Family Sociology class I am taking and this book. It may have been required, but it had great essays to read!

[Mills College Library]

306.85097 F1981 2010

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading! Covers many subjects.