Children and parents have become a focus of debates on ‘new social risks’ in European welfare states. Policymaking elites have converged in defining such risks, and they have outlined new forms of parenting support to better safeguard children and activate their potential. Increasingly, parents are suspected of falling short of public expectations. Contributors to this special issue scrutinize this shift towards parenting as performance and analyse recent forms of parenting support.

Now available in paperback for classroom use!"This comprehensive text provides a rich source of perspectives on theorising about the family for scholars, researchers, and students. Another of the book′s strengths is the emphasis on multimethod approaches in family research. The book covers an impressive range of topics and issues - marital happiness, adjustment of children in divorce marriages, gay marriage, sibling ties, ethnic families of colour, stepfamilies, aggression culture, work and family, religion, and social policy, to name a few. In summary, this superb volume is highly recommended and amply reflects the many contemporary perspectives on the family." --Philip Siebler, Monash University, VictoriaSponsored by the National Council on Family Relations, the Sourcebook of Family Theory and Research is the reference work on theory and methods for family scholars and students around the world. This volume provides a diverse, eclectic, and paradoxically mature approach to theorizing and demonstrates how the development of theory is crucial to the future of family research. The Sourcebook reflects an interactive approach that focuses on the process of theory building and designing research, thereby engaging readers in "doing" theory rather than simply reading about it. An accompanying website offers additional participation and interaction in the process of doing theory and making science. Editors Vern L. Bengtson, Alan C. Acock, Katherine R. Allen, Peggye Dilworth-Anderson, and David M. Klein have brought together a prominent group of diverse contributors ranging in race and ethnicity, age and seniority, and gender and sexual orientation. The Sourcebook begins with a section that sets the context for future family research. The subsequent sections explore changing family patterns, changing family interactions within and across generations, and families and larger social forces. A concluding section discusses issues of teaching family theories and research.Key Features Focuses on the process rather than the outcomes of family theory and research methods Emphasizes the value of multi-methods approaches in family research by integrating theory development with the development of research methods Differs from many other publications on family research by describing the development of new ideas rather than just summarizing existing findings The interactive Web site and the special feature boxes within the chapters engage readers with theory and methodology. Boxed features include Case Studies, Spotlights on Theory, Spotlights on Methods, and a Discussion and Extension sections. Represents a "Who′s Who" of family researchers with contributions from many of the best researchers in the family realm The Sourcebook will be an excellent addition to any academic library. It is an authoritative reference for scholars and researchers in Human Development and Family Studies, Sociology, Social Work, and Psychology. In addition, the Sourcebook can also be used in graduate courses on family theory and methodology.

With The Medicine Wheel for Stepparents, I hope to give some understanding and relief to blended families. Stepfamilies have common threads of dysfunction. There are many issues that form these common threads. These issues occur between stepparent and stepchild and biological parent, biological child, and extended family in blended families. I have listed the issues and have offered affordable solutions that are within our grasp. These common threads reappear in every aspect of family life, including financial matters such as your childs Social Security checks, child-support checks, medical bills, and the parents will. These issues occur when the power structure changes in a home after a divorce or death in a family. Everyone is left in a gigantic power struggle, which retires parents prematurely. Stepparents and stepchildren feel that they must protect their territory, ego, and family with secrets, isolation, intimidation, manipulation, and stonewalling behavior. When stepfamilies are choking, parents, stepparents, and stepchildren do not have to be severely depressed, take multiple medications for depression and energy, get a divorce, or attempt suicide for relief. Biological parents and stepparents do not have to be retired prematurely. There are better ways to keep everyone functioning in blended families. My book will not take away all the opposition you experience in blended families. We learn by overcoming opposition, not creating opposition. This book helps you analyze and carry the opposition to your efforts for your blended family.

SINGLE PARENTING- BECOMING THE BEST PARENT FOR YOUR CHILD BECAUSE YOUR CHILD DESERVES THE BEST

Family Engagement in the Digital Age: Early Childhood Educators as Media Mentors explores how technology can empower and engage parents, caregivers and families, and the emerging role of media mentors who guide young children and their families in the 21st century. This thought-provoking guide to innovative approaches to family engagement includes Spotlight on Engagement case studies, success stories, best practices, helpful hints for media mentors, and "learn more" resources woven into each chapter to connect the dots between child development, early learning, developmentally appropriate practice, family engagement, media mentorship and digital age technology. In addition, the book is driven by a set of best practices for teaching with technology in early childhood education that are based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Fred Rogers Center joint position statement on Technology and Interactive Media. Please visit the Companion Website at http://teccenter.erikson.edu/family-engagement-in-the-digital-age

This book is an Emotional Experience to Unleash Pain, Hope and Determination. When I wrote this book, the thought never occurred to me, that so many people shared similar, if not the same exact experiences as I. At first, it was very difficult for me to express in words, especially in writing, deep secrets that were embedded with shame, guilt and internal fears. Before divine intervention helped me understand that childhood hurts are just that- childhood hurts; I was continuously engulfed in a battle that raged war between my spirit, soul and body. If these hurts are left untreated or unaddressed, these childhood hurts have the potential of developing into an array of unwelcomed personality disorders, emotional problems and physical illnesses that interferes with one's education, relationships, finances and spirituality. Sadly, human behaviors are often altered by society ills, toxic environments and learned behaviors, which deepens internal conflicts. When a person recognizes that good is within them, they are able to see themselves differently. In order for many of us to move forward, we will have to journey back, a trip that goes far beyond one's immediate family, circumstances and painful memories. As recorded in Genesis, the journey oftentimes must go back to the footsteps of the first family; it is there, that one will find blame, guilt and shame, in the midst of paradise- a place of peace and love. It is here, where we can accept and understand the meaning of being created in God's image-to mirror His presence in the earth. Despite life adversities, you can live a victorious life by knowing that Christ is in control of your life. In this book, Mirrored Reflection, you will discover my personal pain and my personal determination to love and to be loved all embraced the Blessed Hope.

To write, first you must read. This book provides the models needed to prepare for IELTS Writing Task 2. Develop paragraphing skills, acquire vocabulary and take lessons from stories of students and the ideas they try to include. Twenty essays. Twenty stories. A month of preparation before the exam. A book for those who want to escape from endless lists of advice, and just get down to practise.