Parent-Child Relations: An Introduction to Parenting (8th Edition) - Softcover

Bigner, Jerry J.

3.86

44 ratings by Goodreads

9780135002193: Parent-Child Relations: An Introduction to Parenting (8th Edition)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0135002192 ISBN 13: 9780135002193

Publisher: Pearson, 2009

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The world has changed since the first edition of this pioneering text was published in 1979, and with it the context of parenting has changed. Parents today must not just help their children learn socialization, but also teach them the skills and abilities they need to cope with the rapidly changing society of their future. Using the family systems model, the author explains how families function, how they strive to maintain stability over time, and how they change and adapt as children grow up.

The book offers the following pedagogical tools to help students prepare for their roles as professionals working with parents and families as well as becoming parents themselves:

Frequently Asked Questions –allow students to see parenting concerns and issues not only through the eyes of a parent, but also those of a therapist who consults with the parent.
Focus On –highlights information discussed in the chapter.
Parenting Reflections –provide opportunities for readers to check their understanding of the content they’ve just read about. Also promotes critical thinking and encourages empathetic involvement with the parenting topics being discussed.
Family Snapshots –These case studies throughout the book provide students with a broader understanding of how the various theories found in human development and family studies are applied to parent-child relations.

New To This Edition:

NEW: Includes expanded coverage of attachment between parents and children–Explains how it affects development of both adults and children.

Increases student understanding of the importance of nurturance at all levels of development.

NEW! Gives a much greater emphasis on the cultural context of parenting throughout and especially in Chapters 1 and 2–Describes how parenting is shaped by family ecological and cultural factors.

Provides for increased development of empathy and understanding of the global human development issues affecting parenting topics.

Note: This is the standalone book, if you want the book/access card order the ISBN listed below:

013704335X / 9780137043354 Parent-Child Relations: An Introduction to Parenting & MyVirtualChild -- Access Card

Package consists of:

0135002192 / 9780135002193 Parent-Child Relations: An Introduction to Parenting

0205690335 / 9780205690336 MyVirtualChild -- Standalone Access Card

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From the Publisher:

A new edition of this pioneer text...one that explores relations between parents and children from a developmental perspective, a perspective enhanced in the Fourth Edition by the introduction of family systems theory as a starting point for helping students understand how relationships grow and change over time. The text examines developmental and environmental factors which affect parent-child relations, as well as the often discounted influence children exert on adult parenting behavior over the lifespan.

From the Back Cover:

Parent-Child Relations: An Introduction to Parenting, Eighth Edition

Jerry J. Bigner, Colorado State University

How is a family defined today? What are the functions of families in contemporary society?

Known for its interactive format and effective pedagogical features, this brief, user-friendly, research-driven book tackles the intricacies of parent-child relationships in contemporary society. Using family systems theory, the author examines the evolution of the family, the stages of family system development, and the challenges faced by all types of families. Readers will encounter a broad range of issues to help them prepare for their roles as professionals working with families or as parents themselves.

This is what reviewers had to say about the eighth edition of Parent-Child Relations:

“The whole text does a nice job of balancing breadth and depth . . . It is interesting, highly readable, and provocative.” Leo R. Sandy, Plymouth State University

“I would consider adopting this book particularly because of its thorough coverage of realistic topics in the 21st century having to do with parents and children (of all ages) . . .right up to the inclusion of the topic of children caring for their parents.” Margaret A. Smedley, Ph.D., Cleveland State University

“Overall, the book is well-written and informative. The topics, focus questions, and pictures are engaging and help to keep the reader’s attention. The book covers a variety of topics in a broad sweep. Vonda Jump, Utah State University

“I like the streamlined developmental sections and increased emphasis on theory and special issues.” Jane Lanigan, Washington State University

New to this edition

NEW: Includes expanded coverage of attachment between parents and children–Explains how it affects development of both adults and children.