Sage Publications Family Diversity: Continuity and Change in the Contemporary Family (SAGE Sourcebooks for the Human Services)

This nonjudgmental, inclusive, and far-reaching text focuses on the diverse patterns of family structure prevalent in our society today. Family Diversity presents empirical research on the internal dynamics, social environments, support factors, prevalence of discrimination, and common stereotypes that account for the issues surrounding current family relations. By examining the history and nature of foster and adoptive, single-parent, lesbian/gay, step- and grandparent family units, Pauline Irit Erera is able to challenge both the idealized family prototype and the hegemony of the traditional structure. ′′ Review "FAMILY DIVERSITY is an excellent, well written book and fills a badly needed nitch. Students really need a book that helps them understand the empirical behavioral and legal research about common family forms not covered in most family texts. Dr. Erera's fine book covers foster families, grandmother headed families - never given adequate description and analysis before this and also includes thorough chapters on adoptive, single parent, step families and lesbian & gay families. The breath and depth of each chapter is unique. I don't know of any other text that allows for such an in-depth comparative approach. This is a real achievement and contribution!"