Marriages and Families : new problems , new opportunities

The 1990s, coming after three decades of rapid changes in American society, feminine and masculine roles, and relationships between the sexes, demand a whole new approach to the marriage and family course. To provide this new kind of guidance, the authors of Marriages and Familles second edition have carefully reevaluated old studies, selected old and new findings that are most relevant in today's world, and explained to students why and how the information can be helpful in their own relationships.

Topic highlights include: A discussion of today's aftermath of the sexual revolution, and why much that was believed true of sexual attitudes before and during the revolution is now obsolete.

The recent and unprecedented "value shift" of men toward greater involvement in the family, including housework and child care, the way the move has benefitted both sexes, and the new problems it has created. •The rise in egalitarian marriage as a result of husbands' more androgynous attitude toward sex roles and the mass movement of wives and mothers into the job market. A strong emphasis on today's vast diversity of male-female relationships, and how this pluralism makes it dangerous eneralize about marriages and families.

The book has been thoughtfully revised to reflect the fact that families of the 90s have problems and opportunities that differ even from those of the '80s, much more so from the 70s and '60s. Taking a pragmatic and generally optimistic view, it is engaging and easy to read.