Readings in Family Theory

Readings in Family Theory is an anthology of classic and contemporary articles that provides a context for student learning by demonstrating how theory fits into the overall process of scientific research on families. The book provokes student interest in theory by providing examples of the scholarly application of family theory to compare how people use similar processes in everyday life. Using this contextual orientation, the selected readings examine nine prevalent theoretical perspectives from both family and human development sciences. Editors Thomas R. Chibucos, Randall W. Leite, and David L. Weis offer brief descriptions of the basic concepts and historical roots of each theory along with examples of scholarship and research guided by each. The volume editors suggest that scientific progress will be enhanced to the degree that research and theory are more fully integrated into the family and human development sciences. Key Features Volume editors provide an introduction to the reader and discuss what theory is and why it is important Nine theoretical perspectives are examined-family life course, life-span development, social learning, social exchange, social conflict, feminist, symbolic interactionist, family systems, and ecological Chapters include a brief description of the readings, issues for consideration, and a list of additional readings for further research The concluding chapter provides an overview of developments in family theory and thoughts on future directions Readings in Family Theory provides undergraduate and graduate students with an excellent introduction to family theory. It can be used as a stand-alone text or as a companion to any other family theory texts.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments 1. Theory: What It Is and Why It Is Important Notable Differences Between Everyday Life and Family Research Example of Theory Building and the Research Process Defining Family? Issues for Your Consideration Further Reading 2. Family Life Course Theory The Readings Issues for Your Consideration Further Reading Involuntary celibacy: A life course analysis - Donnelly, Burgess, Anderson, Davis, & Dillard, 2001 Life course transitions, the generational stake, and grandparent-grandchild relationships - Crosnoe & Elder, 2002 3. Life-Span Developmental Theory The Readings Issues for Your Consideration Further Reading The influence of context, timing, and duration of riskpassage from childhood to midadulthood experiences for the - Schoon, Bynner, Joshi, Parsons, Wiggins, & Sacker (2002) Marital status continuity and change among young and midlife adults: Longitudinal effects on psychological well-being - Marks & Lambert, 1998 4. Social Learning Theory The Readings Issues for Your Consideration Further Reading A social learning theory model of marital violence - Mihalic & Elliott, 1997 Intergenerational transmission of constructive parenting - Chen & Kaplan, 2001 5. Social Exchange Theory The Readings Issues for Your Consideration Further Reading Costs and rewards of children: The effects of becoming a parent on adults′ lives - Nomaguchi & Milkie, 2003 Equity and social exchange in dating couples: Associations with satisfaction, commitment, and stability - Sprecher, 2001 6. Social Conflict Theory The Readings Issues for Your Consideration Further Reading A conflict theory of family violence - Witt, 1989 Status and income as gendered resources: The case of marital power - Tichenor, 1999 7. Feminist Theory The Readings Issues for Your Consideration Further Reading Feminist visions for transforming families: Desire and now equality then and - Allen, 2001 Do gender roles matter? Family formulation and dissolution among traditional and egalitarian men and women - Kaufman, 2000 8. Symbolic Interactionism The Readings Issues for Your Consideration Further Reading The symbolic origins of conflict in divorce - Hopper, 2001 "They think you ain′t much of nothing": Social construction of the welfare mother "They think you ain′t nothing": The social construction of the welfare - Seccombe & Walters, 1998 9. Family Systems Theory The Readings Issues for Your Consideration Further Reading Relations between identity formation and family characteristics of adults - Mullis, Brailsford, & Mullis, 2003 Structural family therapy - Vetere, 2001 10. Ecological Theory The Readings Issues for Your Consideration Further Reading Balancing employment and fatherhood: A systems perspective - Berry & Rao, 1997 The social ecology of marriage and other intimate unions Getting dinosaurs to dance: Community collaborations of theory - Perkins, Ferrari, Covey, & Keith, 1996 11. Discussion and Conclusions Overview of Developments in Family Theory Thoughts on Future Directions References Index About the Editors

About the Author :
Thomas R. Chibucos received a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Michigan State University in 1974. He is a Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Bowling Green State University, where he also served as Director of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences for a decade.  Previously, he taught at Northern Illinois University in the Department of Human and Family Resources for 17 years.  At both Bowling Green and Northern Illinois, Dr. Chibucos developed and taught courses on child abuse and neglect, child and family policy, research methodology, and theory at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He is an active member of numerous professional organizations (serving, for instance, as chair of the NCFR Public Policy Committee), and his publications include Serving Children and Families Through Community-University Partnerships (Kluwer, 1999), which he co-edited with Richard M. Lerner. Randall W. Leite is Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Bowling Green State University, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in marriage and family, family stress, and family policy.  His research largely focuses on aspects of fatherhood, father-child interactions, nonresidential parenthood, and family policy issues.  He is also an affiliate of the Center for Family and Demographic Research and the Center for Policy Analysis and Public Service, both located at Bowling Green State University.  Prior to his arrival at Bowling Green, Dr. Leite spent several years in various university administrative positions.  He lives with his wife Theresa and three children, all of whom provide him on a daily basis with a greater appreciation of the meaning of family life. Daivd L. Weis received a Ph.D. in Family Studies from Purdue University in 1979. He was a Professor in the Human Development and Family Studies Program at Bowling Green State University, where he had been since 1986. He was a long-time member of NCFR and had held leadership positions in his academic department and in professional organizations.  He had taught undergraduate and graduate courses on family theory for more than two decades and was an active scholar on a number of family science and human development issues.  Tragically, Dr. Weis passed away during the development of this book.