State of Families: Law, Policy, and the Meanings of Relationships

The State of Families: Law, Policy, and the Meanings of Relationships is a collection of critical readings that explore the multiple forms, issues, policies, and politicization of contemporary families. It takes an interdisciplinary approach to the family, highlighting the intersection of individual experience, structures of inequality, and state power.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 446 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The State of Families: Law, Policy, and the Meanings of Relationships is a comprehensive collection of essential readings that delve into the diverse forms of contemporary families, the myriad challenges they face, the policies that govern them, and the politicization of family life. This text employs a critical lens to examine the historical, cultural, and political constructions of the family, seeking to understand the intricate interplay between individual experiences, structures of inequality, and state power.

The book is organized into several sections, each focusing on different aspects of the family. These sections explore the traditional ground of motherhood, childhood, and marriage, as well as emerging research on fatherhood, reproduction, child-free families, and welfare. The readings, both original and reprinted from a wide range of experts in the field, provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the multiple forms and meanings of family.

By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, The State of Families offers students in the social sciences and professionals working with families valuable insights into how social structure and institutional practices shape individual experiences. The book provides a framework for analyzing the complex dynamics between families, society, and the state, and encourages readers to consider the broader social and political implications of family-related policies and practices.

In conclusion, The State of Families: Law, Policy, and the Meanings of Relationships is a vital resource for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of contemporary families. By exploring the various dimensions of the family through a critical lens, this book offers new ways to identify how social structure and institutional practice shape individual experience. It is a must-read for students, scholars, and professionals working in the fields of social work, sociology, psychology, and family studies.

Weight: 856g
Dimension: 176 x 254 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367027766