The Expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family, and Social Perspectives

by Betty Carter, Monica McGoldrick

How does one define the concept of "family"? Is it primarily a biological link, or purely a social construction? Can it be a combination of both? Does it have to be? In this age of single parents, alternative lifestyles, and joint custody, "family" has become a fluid term which reflects a sweeping change in society -- from the rigid structure of the nuclear family to a more diverse and inclusive circle of people that one refers to as Òfamily.Ó In this revision of their classic work in family therapy issues and techniques, the authors propose Òa new and more comprehensive way to think about human development and the life cycle,Ó by widening the perspective of family therapy to include diversity of family forms and lifestyles, as well as cultural diversity. Their expanded view of family includes the impact and issues at multiple levels of the human system: the individual, family households, the extended family, the community, the cultural group, and the larger society. The new edition offers lively and dynamic writing, with contributed chapters by some of the best-known therapists and experts in family therapy. Some issues with expanded focus include race, class, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, spirituality, politics, work, time, community, values, and belief systems. Social workers, psychologists, nurses, and family therapists.

Genres: Grad School, Psychology, Social Work

541 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Either this book got less radical, or I got more radical as I read it. This is a collaboration of chapters from various different authors--all around the theme of the life cycle.

The focus that I saw in this book was that there are many factors that influence one's life. Culture, class, siblings, divorce, sexual orientation, substance abuse, violence are a few.

The reason I say this book is radical is that, at the beginning of the book, it seemed ultra-feminist. I consider myself pretty liberal and open minded, but being constantly hit over the head with "Women have it so bad compared to men" a million times in one paragraph (maybe an exageration), I had trouble reading it. Thankfully, the book did not stay that way the entire time, and there was some very interesting things to learn.

A bigger problem I felt was how outdated the research in the book was (ready for a new edition!).

And, for all that it said about multiculturalism--there was NO mention of Native Americans in ANY chapter. Talk about marginalizing a group. In the chapter that was devoted to culture and the life cycle, the authors even broke out an "Irish" and "Jewish" group...but NOTHING on Native Amricans...this is the more unforgivable thing...

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read so far on the developmental markers of an individual and family. The authors are extremely thorough in their assessments of family interaction and the family life cycle.

I plan on selling a large portion of the books I purchased this quarter but this one is a keeper for the career.

Will look for other books by these authors. Very clear and entertaining text book. What a refreshing relief.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I use this in a course that I teach at NCU. I really don't like it, but it's the required text for the course. What it does do well is give a broad overview, and it does do a good job of addressing diversity issues.

[JoyfulK · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to practice family therapy, or are practicing family therapy, or you are working with children or teens doing any form of counseling or therapy, read this book. It's an excellent discussion of the 21st century family in all its diverse forms.

[Jeanine Marie Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent review of the social, cultural, ethnic, biological, and spiritual aspects of families over the human life cycle.

[Peter Poot]

good book

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I read almost this entire book, but I don't remember a single thing it said.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read.