The Contemporary American Family

Acknowledgements Preface Chapter 1: A Dialectical Approach to Family Conceptual tools Basic concepts Dialectical management patterns Interface of culture patterns Dialectical classifications Chapter 2: Defining the Contemporary Family Defining family Criteria for defining family Chapter 3: Structural Diversity Contemporary family structures Nuclear family Single parent family Blended family Chapter 4: Cultural Diversity Cultural diversity in the family Religion and family culture Diversity in sexual orientation Racial and ethnic diversity Chapter 5: Developmental Diversity Approaches to development The family life cycle approach The learning approach A dialectical approach Chapter 6: Functional Diversity Functional diversity and the family The impact of alcoholism on the family Domestic violence The dark side of divorce Chapter 7: Family Spirituality Bringing light into darkness A spiritual approach 12-Step programs References

I find the book extremely attractive. The dialectical perspective provides a consistent avenue from which to address the diversity (structural, cultural, developmental, and functional) in Contemporary American Families. Whereas this perspective does not claim to solve the tensions in families, it offers marvelous insights into the nature and changing diversities in families. I believe this text is particularly well suited for reasonable discussion of serious issues and provides valuable insights into the nature of families and their functioning. -- Vince Bloom "Teresa Chandler Sabourin invites students to appreciate the mystery, complexity, and diversity of the contemporary American family. Resisting simplistic descriptions and normative descriptions, Sabourin challenges us to open our minds and hearts to the rich, humane variety of family connections as we search for ways to accommodate the competing demands and conflicting pressures experienced in our most cherished relationships. Starting from the source of her own experience, Sabourin addresses both the darker, abusive side of family relationships, as well as the lighter, spiritual side of intimacy and love. The Contemporary American Family successfully addresses the need for an accessible and teachable treatment of the dialectical perspective on close relationships. This is a book that will encourage students of family communication to respect diversity, question taken-for-granted assumptions, and share the pain and joy and of their own family experiences." -- Art Bochner