The first single-volume text to present family theory in a clear and approachable manner, Family Theories enables advanced undergraduate students as well as beginning graduate students to gain a thorough understanding of family theory. Authors David M. Klein and James M. White incorporate a broad scope of work into the volume from two different perspectives--sociology and family studies--and survey six major theoretical frameworks developed by key social scientists to explain variations in family life. Klein and White begin by discussing the purpose of theory and trace the history of theoretical explanations of the family. From this foundation, they present the exchange, symbolic-interaction, family developmental, systems, conflict, and ecological theoretical frameworks. Each theory is systematically explored through its historical perspective, basic assumptions, core concepts, variations, empirical applications, and implications for intervention. Concluding with a typology for analyzing and comparing the six theories, the authors provide directions for future theory development. Aimed at advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students, Family Theories will actively engage students in learning how to theorize.
NOTE: The following 6 quotes are from the same person, "There are a large number of family theory books that construct, revise, expand, critically evaluate, and apply the theories, but there are few designed to help students learn the theories. This book helps meet this need."
--Wesley R. Burr, Brigham Young University
"This is the best book available to help beginning and intermediate students learn family theories." --Wesley R. Burr, Brigham Young University
"The book covers a wide range of family theories in a readable manner."
--Wesley R. Burr, Brigham Young University
"What Crain’s book on developmental theories does for the developmental part of the family field this book does for the familial part of the field."
--Wesley R. Burr, Brigham Young University
"This book is a must for students who are trying to learn the most widely used theories in the family field."
--Wesley R. Burr, Brigham Young University
"For those trying to learn family theories, this book is the best one available."
--Wesley R. Burr, Brigham Young University
"The authors of Family Theories--two foremost family theorists writing today--have filled a major gap in the literature for a thorough introduction to the major conceptual frameworks that are currently used to study the family. This is a major contribution because David M. Klein and James M. White have accomplished the difficult task of writing a theory book that is at the same time ideal for undergraduate courses and very useful to academics and graduate students. . . . This is a long-awaited resource for those of us who have struggled to teach undergraduate courses with assigned collections of theoretical readings that are often beyond the grasp of many undergraduates. With the publication of this book, we finally have a solid, readable textbook for these courses and one having wide appeal to family sociologists, family scientists, family studies professionals, and family life interventionists."
--Gary W. Peterson, Arizona State University, Tempe
