Now in its fifth edition, Family Matters offers an enriched discussion on a variety of substantive issues experienced by diverse Canadian families throughout their lives. Adopting a feminist sociological approach, this popular textbook explores family dynamics through a critical life course theoretical lens. This overarching perspective is used to examine how social, economic, and historical processes related to gender roles, age and generational location, Indigeneity, ethnicity and race, geographical location, and social change shape contemporary family life.
As a leading name in sociology, Barbara A. Mitchell has thoroughly updated the previous edition to reflect timely current events, recent census data, and innovative research. This new edition provides more detailed and nuanced discussions of many areas, including pandemic impacts, governmental policies, and incentives concerning healthcare, housing, and education.
Approachable, concise, and filled with discussion questions, activities, and resources for further reading, Family Matters is the perfect resource for students enrolled in introductory or advanced level courses in family sociology and gender studies.
Features:
Up-to-date material featuring current events, recent research studies, and statistics, including census and other national data sets
New and expanded content on a wide range of timely topics, such as the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technological innovations on family life, the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the rising popularity of remote social interactions and hybrid work-from-home patterns, animal-human bonds, parenting and daycare issues, aging and senior care, and multicultural families
Includes an instructor supplement package equipped with PowerPoint slides, an instructor’s manual, a sample syllabus, and a test bank
PART I Understanding Continuity, Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change in Families
Chapter 1 Family Matters: An Introduction to the Sociology of Canadian Families
Chapter 2 Family Theory and Methods: Windows on Families and Family Research
Chapter 3 First Families: Indigenous Peoples and Family Life in Pre- and Post-Confederate Canada
Chapter 4 Canadian Families in Historical, Cross-cultural, and Global Context
Chapter 5 Immigration and the Changing Ethnic Mosaic of Canadian Families
Chapter 6 More than a Labour of Love: Gender, Unpaid Work, and the Cult of Domesticity
PART II The Ties That Bind: Family Formation and Generational Connections
Chapter 7 Close Relations in Youth and Young Adulthood: Establishing Partnerships and Forming Families
Chapter 8 Families and Children in the Early Years: Childhood, Socialization, and Shifting Ideologies of Parenthood
Chapter 9 All Our Families: Diversity, Challenge, and Continuity in Non-conforming Coupled Relationships
Chapter 10 Family Dissolution and the Brady Bunch: Separation, Divorce, and Remarriage
Chapter 11 Families in the Middle and the Launching of Children: Home-Leaving, Boomerang Kids, and the Empty Nest
Chapter 12 Aging Families and the Sunset Years: Caregiving and Support across Generations
PART III Families on the Fault Line and Social Policy Issues
Chapter 13 Families, Health, and Well-Being: Choices and Constraints over the Life Course
Chapter 14 Trying to Make Ends Meet: Family Poverty, Living on the Margins, and Financial Struggle
Chapter 15 Families in Crisis: Family Violence, Abuse, and Stress
Chapter 16 Families and the State: Family Policy in an Era of Globalization and Economic Uncertainty
Copyright Acknowledgements
Index
Biography
Barbara A. Mitchell is a Professor in the Department of Sociology/Anthropology, jointly appointed with the Department of Gerontology, at Simon Fraser University and Chair of the Department of Gerontology.
“Family Matters provides a comprehensive and highly readable overview on the shifting nature of Canadian family life. Drawing on the most up-to-date research, each chapter illuminates the changing context of contemporary families, including new conceptualizations of what constitutes families, life course adaptations, Indigenous and Black families, transgender children, youth activism, foreign/temporary workers, and the influence of social media on family life. It is an excellent addition for those seeking to understand Canadian families.”
—Nancy Mandell, Professor, Sociology, York University
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