Emphasizes the role that communication plays in both creating and solving family issues. This book reflects the explosion of research literature in the area of family communication, on such topics as the broadened definition of family; demographic aspects of family types; and references on family theory, storytelling, divorce, and conflict.

Part 1. Foundations Chapter 1. Providing A Definition Family Culture Defining the Family Family Communication Perspective Cultural and Demographic Trends Affecting the Family From Tradition to Transition: Family Types in the United States Chapter 2. Providing a Theoretical Framework The Definition of Theory Intellectual Traditions The Theoretical Foundations of This Text Family Theories Methods of Inquiry Part 2. Practices Chapter 3. Telling Stories, Making Meaning, and Creating Family Identity The Characteristics of Family Stories Primary Functions of Family Stories Secondary Functions of Family Stories Types of Family Stories Other Meaning-Making Practices Chapter 4. Communicating Roles and Rules Roles and Our Families Rules and Our Families Roles, Rules, and Family Communication Chapter 5. Communicating Conflict, Power, and Violence Conflict, Power, Violence, and Culture Conflict in the Family Power in the Family Violence in the Family Chapter 6. Communicating Intimacy Interpreting Closeness and Intimacy Cultural Expectations for Closeness Theories of Intimacy Expressing Intimacy Part 3. Challenges Chapter 7. Family Communication, Stress, and Stressors Interpreting Stress Assumptions About Stress in the Family Communication and Developmental Stressors Communication and Unpredictable Stressors Chapter 8. Societal Influences on the Family Televised Messages About Families Women's and Men's Movements and Their Influence on Families Government and the Family Chapter 9. Managing Challenging Dialogues Religiosity in the United States: A Prayerful Nation Family Communication and Sexuality Part 4. Future Chapter 10. New Perspectives on Family Communication The Future of Family Communication Research Cultural Discourse About the Family Thinking About Family Communication: Four Conclusions