Family Theories
An Introduction
- James M. White - The University of British Columbia, Canada
- Todd F. Martin - Trinity Western University, Canada
- Kari Adamsons - University of Connecticut, USA
Family Theories: An Introduction by James M. White, Todd F. Martin, and new co-author Kari Adamsons provides an incisive, thorough primer to current theories of the family that balances the diversity and richness of a broad scope of scholarly work in a concise manner. This best-selling text draws upon eight major theoretical frameworks developed by key social scientists to explain variation in family life. These frameworks include social exchange and choice, symbolic-interaction, family life course development, systems, conflict, feminist, ecological, and functional theories.
This new Fifth Edition includes suggestions for integrating theory to guide a research program and more applications for those going on to careers in the helping professions. With an increased focus on both classical theories as well as contemporary and emerging theories, this text challenges students to think about how families and family theories have changed over the last 70 years as well as where family scholarship is headed.
“This text offers a deeper level of theoretical analysis than other textbook options. It is particularly helpful for those preparing for graduate education.”
“This book does a great job of speaking of each theory--functionalism, social exchange, symbolic interaction, life course, etc.--in an easy to understand, digestible way for students.”
“It uses scientific language that is necessary to introduce students to the frameworks of theories in general, as well as those that are specifically used within the field of marital and familial studies.”
“It is probably the most comprehensive text specifically on Family Theories that I have seen."
“We chose the text because it covered the frameworks that we had already deemed appropriate. We also liked the
assumption/concept/prop format.”
Chose a different textbook
This book was originally chosen by another professor before the class was assigned to me. However, this was a class on human development theories not family theories so it didn't fit. However, considered using for family theories at a later time.