An authoritative reference that helps general readers understand the varieties of crises impacting modern-day families and the intervention techniques designed to resolve them. An urgent, authoritative resource, American Families in Crisis spans the full spectrum of events and conditions that endanger families, offering the latest research and insights while evaluating current strategies and techniques for dealing with challenging family behaviors. The handbook begins by analyzing the history of family crises in the United States, then looks at how to identify, prevent, and respond to specific problems-everything from marital strife, teen runaways, and unemployment to school shootings, natural disasters, problems created by the Internet, and extended military deployment. The coverage is backed by hundreds of current key reference sources, plus chapters on notable contributors to the field, important data and documents, and resources for further information. The chronology highlights important moments in the study of family crises over the past 100 years, including statistics related to the topics presented in earlier chapters, notable achievements in family studies research, the formation of professional associations and organizations, births and deaths of notable scholars, and much more The Data and Documents chapter uses clear graphics to provide accurate and meaningful information, helping the reader to better understand the complexities of family stress and crisis

A highly informative account of trends, concepts, and problems related to dating and sexuality in the United States, along with thought-provoking coverage of today's most important issues and controversies. A history of dating and sexuality illuminates new trends and problems that were absent just a few decades ago. The most important dating and sexuality issues facing teenagers today are explored, including solutions and implications for educational intervention. The work elucidates how dating unfolds and how sexual attitudes and behaviors impact intimacy. Valuable information about organizations and individuals as well as print and electronic resources are included in this authoritative work. 32 biographical profiles describing the research of respected contributors to the fields of dating, sexuality, adolescent development, and family life A lively and engaging timeline chronicling the historic events that shaped dating and sexuality in America, such as the birth of the drive-in movie theater, the pill, the sexual revolution, MTV, HIV/AIDS, the Internet, and Viagra

This comprehensive, cross-disciplinary encyclopedia explores the developmental nature of social interactions and is designed for a broad range of readers in college, institutional, and public library settings. The lifespan perspective illuminates how relationships change throughout the course of human development from family interactions and friendships to dating and work relationships. In the process a diversity of topics are explored, such as aging experiences, divorce, family violence, gender roles, grandparenthood, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, marriage and alternative lifestyles, parenthood, and sibling relations. A variety of perspectives are provided, including psychological, sociological, family studies, historical, anthropological, and religious views. The reader is also exposed to how lifespan relationships are shaped by international, racial, ethnic, and class differences. Over 500 easy-to-read entries analyze terms, concepts, themes, theories, and policies, as well as current, historical, and multicultural perspectives, and provide over 1,500 sources for further study. An appendix listing over 100 professional journals of note and a selected bibliography of the latest publications of importance to the topic overall further enrich this volume designed for students, teachers, practitioners, and general readers in all the social sciences.

An in-depth and multifaceted examination of the contemporary American family, this introductory handbook is the only one of its kind and presents a solid, authoritative overview. There is little doubt that the American family has changed from colonial times to the present. But what have those changes been? How have family dynamics shifted to deal with the countless new looks of the American Family? In Families in America, author Jeffrey Scott Turner has written a current and complete work that will be of great interest to general audiences as well as students of psychology and sociology. This work sheds light on everything from multicultural family variations and reproductive technologies to families of divorce and blended families. The book is bolstered by chapters that cite recent and important books on family life, as well as a listing of educational videotapes on family life in America. Provides a chronology, an A-Z collection of biographical sketches, and a statistical portrait of family life in America Includes an extensive directory of organizations and annotated bibliography of print and nonprint resources