Refreshingly succinct and engaging, Family Matters is a comprehensive introduction to family sociology in Canada. The book has a strong focus on contemporary Canadian theory and research on a wide variety of substantive issues relevant to the lives of students from diverse family backgrounds.

This second edition is broadly organized into three interrelated areas: conceptualizing and studying continuity, diversity, inequality, and social change in families; the life course dynamics of families across the generations; and social policy responses to critical issues facing families today.

Family Matters has been thoroughly updated with the most current statistical information available on family trends; expanded coverage of numerous topical areas, such as families dealing with disability and the consequences of the recent global economic meltdown on families; and more examples from today's news headlines and contemporary family-related events.Features:

• every chapter contains a summary, critical reflection questions, a glossary, lists of suggested multimedia resources, and recommended exercises and activities
• a vast array of course supplements available, including innovative lists of sources for building case studies, suggested assignments and in-class activities, a sample syllabus, links to online teaching resources, PowerPoint slides, and high-resolution images from the text that can be used in the classroom
• draws on current statistical information on family trends and examples from today’s news headlines

Barbara A. Mitchell is Professor of Sociology at Simon Fraser University, jointly appointed in the Department of Gerontology.

Barbara A. Mitchell's profile page

"Family Matters provides a refreshing alternative to other family texts currently on the market. The critical and feminist approaches and the inclusion of well-grounded, new research, along with the intrepid coverage of a broad range of issues that many mainstream texts shy away from and Mitchell’s engaging, approachable writing style, offer a Canadian Sociology of Families text that is unparalleled. Anyone interested in studying contemporary family issues in Canada should read this book."— “Vicki L. Nygaard, Department of Sociology, Thompson Rivers University