Understanding Families
A Global Introduction
- Linda McKie - Glasgow Caledonian University, UK, Durham University, UK
- Samantha Callan - Edinburgh University, UK
Families are at the core of our society. Our experience of them affects many aspects of our everyday lives shaping our expectations and future plans.
Written by field experts this clear, engaging book adopts a global perspective to usefully examine how modern families can be explored and understood. Packed with critical pedagogy, including case-studies, think points, key words and a glossary, it guides students through topics such as relationships, sexualities and paid and unpaid work.
The book also:
- Applies key social theories from classical sociological theory and contemporary analysis
- Examines best practice for researching families and family life
- Explores the role of government policies and practices
This comprehensive introduction to the study of families and relationships is a timely resource for students and lecturers working across the social sciences.
A reasonable text that helps to contextualise the changing nature of famlies
Good background reading for the module I am teaching in Children and Families
I enjoyed the layout of this book and the indicators to prompt students to cross reference different issues. This is useful for first year UG students to encourage more evaluation and reflection in their work. Good overall coverage of the main issues (particularly the inclusion of feminist theory and links to research and policy. I would have liked to see the section on public/ private issues clearly indicate the issuesa around domestic violence and abuse and child abuse relating to the taboo still here and myths around strangers rather than familial abuse still being pushed through the media etc..
This is an excellent book that provides up-to-date information and analysis of families in a global context. It explores topics that are very relevant to a wide range of students interested in working with children and families within theoretical frameworks.
This book is a very comprehensive overview of many of the issues relating to families. It covers research into families, family policy and wider political ideologies that impact upon the family. Relationships within families is explored and work life balance. It is a very reader friendly volume also.
In a swiftly changing world where disadvantaged families are increasingly finding services difficult to access, this book provides a very accessible text that facilitates increased understanding of the issues families face and the contexts in which we are working.
A well constructed book that encourages reflective learning. I particularly liked chapter 3 that placed research methods in the context of families which most students will be able to relate to.
A book that is particularly relevant for those practitioners both in health and social care who work with families in a supportive and caring capacity
This book is very useful and provides a good introduction to the focus of working with families and communities. I was pleased that it took an international perspective as this will also be useful for student who are studying comparative education in their final year.
The library has bought copies of the text and it is referenced throughout the course
Ch 7 Families into the Future is useful supplementary reading to help students anticipate the effects of changes in families.
Sage College Publishing
