Understanding Family Meanings: A Reflective Text

McCarthy, Jane Ribbens; Doolittle, Megan; Sclater, Shelley Day

ISBN 10: 1447301129 / ISBN 13: 9781447301127

Published by Policy Press, 2012

About this Item

Clean, solid copy that looks nearly new, but has limited yellow highlighting in text. Majority of pages are unmarked. Cover shows very light surface wear. Binding tight and square; no creases to spine or cover. NICE copy for personal use. We are unable to ship oversize books and multi-volume sets internationally.

Seller Inventory # G3140919006

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Understanding Family Meanings: A Reflective Text
• Publisher: Policy Press
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1447301129
• ISBN 13: 9781447301127
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Good +
• Dust Jacket Condition: None as issued
• Weight: 18 ounces
• Seller catalogs:
  • Sociology

About this title

Synopsis

Family Studies is a key area of policy, professional and personal debate. Perhaps precisely because of this, teaching texts have struggled with how to approach this area, which is both 'familiar' and also contentious and value laden. This innovative and reflective book deals with such dilemmas head-on, through its focus on family meanings in diverse contexts in order to enhance our understanding of everyday social lives and professional practices.

Drawing on extracts and research by leading authors in the field of family studies, Understanding Family Meanings provides the reader with an overview of the basic concepts and theories related to families using readings with questions and analysis to encourage reflection and learning. Published in association with The Open University, the book centralises the question what is 'family' and focuses on family meanings as the key underpinnings for academic study and professional training. It explores the shifting and subtle ways in which individuals, researchers, policy-makers and professionals make sense of the idea of 'family' and in doing so considers issues of power, inequality and values which are integral to any understanding of family meanings. Audio discussions with leading authorities in the field are also available online to enhance the content and key concepts of the book. It therefore provides an excellent foundation for any module in family studies, as well as all professional training modules that include attention to families and close relationships, and for further learning in the area of families and relationships.

About the Author

Dr Jane Ribbens McCarthy is Reader in Family Studies, in the Centre for Citizenship, Identities and Governance (CCIG) at the Open University. Her research interests and publications focus on families and relationships, particularly children and young people’s family lives, including their experiences of bereavement and loss.