Public dreams, private lives
Article Abstract:
Historian John Gillis explored the gap between family image and family reality in his book, 'A World of Their Own Making.' He points out that modern Americans belong to two families. One is the family they actually live with and the other is the fantasized family they live by. Although this idealized family has been debunked and criticized over the years, Americans are still enthralled by this idea. In fact, Gillis postulates that American cultural beliefs regarding the family approaches religious thinking in that the family provides most Americans with a sense of meaning and comfort.
Publication Name: Contemporary Sociology
Subject: Sociology and social work
ISSN: 0094-3061
Year: 1998
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Fresh ideas on family values
Article Abstract:
Stephanie Coontz fortifies her criticisms of the conservative advocates of the concept of family values in her book, 'The Way We Really Are: Coming to Terms With America's Changing Families.' Supporting her arguments with well-chosen statistics and other empirical evidence, the scholar activist espouses the view that different types of families can be effective and appreciated, and that they should be given the opportunity to flourish along with the traditional family. Coontz ends the book with recommendations on the needs of real families.
Publication Name: Contemporary Sociology
Subject: Sociology and social work
ISSN: 0094-3061
Year: 1998
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Relative risks: what is the family doing to our children?
Article Abstract:
The impact of family change on children and teenagers has long been a favorite topic of researchers. Paul Amato and Alan Booth's 1997 book 'A Generation at Risk: Growing Up in an Era of Family Upheaval' should be a helpful resource for those examining the effect of family transformations on children. This well-written book offers careful analysis that is based on scientific data. Like others, the authors conclude that the best way to combat the consequence of social and economic inequality is education.
Publication Name: Contemporary Sociology
Subject: Sociology and social work
ISSN: 0094-3061
Year: 1998
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