Focusing on critical emerging issues in regard to multicultural families, the fourth edition of this popular book reflects fundamental issues surrounding assessment and treatment of families from diverse cultural backgrounds. The most effective treatment methods for working with culturally diverse families across the life cycle are covered in detail. Individual chapters focus on a variety of distinct ethnic groups including African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, and Arab American, as well as the needs of LGBTQ multicultural families and the role of spirituality. The text underlines the importance of an intersectional approach to working with families that, in addition to culture and ethnicity, also considers socioeconomic class, gender, age, religion, immigration status, and sexual orientation as important factors. Additionally, the text expands its direct-practice view with the addition of four new chapters written by psychologists, plus a new chapter on health issues in multicultural families and access to health services. The text is updated with the latest knowledge and research, along with new and revised case vignettes demonstrating culturally competent practice.--Publisher information.

This book addresses cutting edge issues in the assessment and treatment of families from diverse cultural backgrounds. It covers a wide array of related family issues and skills which are important for human service practitioners in the helping disciplines.

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Publisher description

With a full third of the book completely rewritten and each chapter significantly updated, the editors bring together the latest in multicultural family research. Also featured are new and improved macro and micro methods of understanding the needs of new immigrants and diverse populations. An important revision of Dr. Congress's essential assessment technique, "the culturagram ," is also included. New and updated chapters include: " Handling post 9/11 complications for immigrants and refugees" culturally sensitive treatment ideas for Arab-American families" Working from an Afrocentric perspective" Understanding the needs of the new Russian, Asian, and Hispanic immigrants" Helping diverse HIV-affected families" Impact of ethnicity on incest treatments" Suicide attempts with adolescents " Importance of spirituality

Crossing geographic, cultural, and historical boundaries, this volume explores the diversity of the world's families, emphasizing the importance of understanding and valuing them within their own cultural contexts. Covering contemporary Third World as well as Western families, this excellent teaching text addresses topics essential for developing a multicultural perspective. The book begins with background information on family theories and comparative research methodology, along with an overview of the history of the family and gender relations in the Western world. This is followed by chapters on family variation, which explain research on the origin, functions, and universality of the family; kinship terminology and how kinship affiliation affects such issues as postmarital residence patterns; and the diversity of marital structure (plurality of husbands and/or wives) and how culture and economy affect these patterns. The book then examines the life cycle of the family and highlights similarities and differences across time and culture in the areas of mate selection, wedding practices, marital adjustment, childhood socialization, divorce, and care for the elderly. Important contemporary issues seldom covered in earlier works--including gender, class structure, racial discrimination, and poverty--are covered in detail. An ideal text for comparative family courses, this readable and up-to-date volume includes exercises (as well as exercise guidelines for instructors) developed to challenge students' existing viewpoints and offer new ways of looking at the world's families. Families in Multicultural Perspective is also an important resource for anyone interested in understanding and appreciating the diversity of family forms, processes, and experiences.