Routledge - The Making and Breaking of the Australian Family

Explore the evolution of social structures in this insightful study by Routledge. The Making and Breaking of the Australian Family examines how the concept of the family has shifted from a perceived natural certainty to a complex and changing institution. This book traces the historical transition from the late nineteenth-century household economy to the mid-twentieth-century child-centered nuclear family. It investigates the factors that have changed modern perceptions, including the rise of women in the workforce, divorce, de facto relationships, and sexual liberation movements. By looking at the family through a historical lens, this work provides a clear view of how old certainties have fractured and why there is more discussion about the definition of family today than ever before. It is an essential read for those interested in the history and sociology of Australian social life.