Now in its third edition, Family Matters offers an enriched discussion on a variety of substantive factors affecting Canadian families across a life course. Adopting a feminist sociological approach throughout, this popular textbook explores family structures and functions through a critical, gendered lends and individually examines how issues related to gender, social change, social policy, and poverty influence family life.

A leading name in sociology, Barbara A. Mitchell takes a closer look at LAT partnerships and polyamorous relationships, and features additional material on skipped generation families, disability in families, participatory research methods, parent-child relationships, and the impact of communication technologies. Approachable and concise, Family Matters is the perfect resource for students enrolled in half-year, introductory, or advanced level courses in family sociology and gender studies.

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 is a timely, relevant, and comprehensive book which offers a significant exploration of core themes related to the sociology of the family. Key theoretical approaches, relevant research, recent statistical information, and clear examples are presented and discussed in a thorough and thoughtful manner. A focus on family trends, diversity, challenges, and inequality in a Canadian context is one of the key strengths of the book. This is an essential book for any course exploring contemporary issues facing today’s Canadian families.”

—Dr. Caroline McDonald-Harker, Sociologist and Professor, Department of Sociology & Anthropology, Mount Royal University

“Family Matters is clear, critical, often provocative, and very relevant to the everyday lives of Canadian students from diverse backgrounds. One of its major strengths lies in its ‘critical sociology’ approach, and the content offers an appropriate balance of historical and contemporary research examples.”

—Dr. Sarah Knudson, Sociology, St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan