Intimate Relationships, Marriages, and Families » (7th Edition)

Mary Kay DeGenova received her Ph.D. in 1992 from Purdue University in Child Development and Family Studies. She was an associate professor of Family Studies at Central Michigan University and the University of New Hampshire and has taught various courses on marriage and the family. Her work on this text is a direct result of her experience in the classroom and her experiences with diversity, including work as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa and a Fulbright Scholar in Chile. In addition to her recent work on this text DeGenova has written Families in Cultural Context: Strengths and Challenges in Diversity, published by Mayfield Publishing Company. She was written numerous journal articles, presented papers at many conferences, and appeared in anthologies. She is currently working from home on numerous writing projects while caring for her two children.

This comprehensive introduction to marriage and the family combines the most current research base with an emphasis on family background and diversity. It presents a positive perspective on families and focuses on the importance of public and social policy in the lives of families. Each chapter concludes with a section on public policy and critical thinking questions. The text makes research and statistics easy for students to follow and understand, and it integrates cultural diversity throughout.

Chapter 1: Intimate Relationships, Marriages, and Families in the Twenty-First Century

Chapter 2: Family Backgrounds and How They Influence Us

Chapter 3: Gender: Identity and Roles

Chapter 4: Being Single

Chapter 5: Attraction and Dating

Chapter 6: Love and Mate Selection

Chapter 7: Qualities of a Successful Marriage

Chapter 8: Marital Relationships over The Family Life Cycle

Chapter 9: Work, Family Roles, and Material Resources

Chapter 10: Power, Decision Making, and Communication

Chapter 11: Family Planning and Parenting

Chapter 12: Pregnancy and Childbirth

Chapter 13: Parent-Child Relationships

Chapter 14: Parents and Extended Family Relationships

Chapter 15: Conflict, Family Crises, and Crisis Management

Chapter 16: The Family and Divorce

Chapter 17: Coming Together: Remarriage and Stepparenting

Glossary
References

Credits
Index