Approaches to the History of the Western Family 1500–1914

New Studies in Economic and Social History

by Michael Anderson (Adapter)

This book is a short but comprehensive survey of the work on the history of the family in Western Europe and North America, for the period 1500-1914. Updated to include material published between 1980 and 1994, it aims to provide students of family history with a structured and balanced critique of and guide to the huge literature on the subject. Professor Anderson focuses particularly on the strengths and limitations of different approaches that have been adopted in the discipline, and seeks connections among themes, countries and periods.

Genres: History, Sociology

104 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 1995

About the author

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Reviews

[Thomas Harvell-DeGolier · Rating 2 out of 5]

purpose is just a familiarization with the different approaches to studying marriage.

[Dinah]

This work compares the demographic, "sentiments", and household economics approaches to historical research. Anderson offers valuable criticisms of all three approaches and concludes that no one approach is faultless enough to rely on it solely.