The study of parent-child relationships has long been of interest to behavioral scientists, both for its theoretical importance and for its practice and policy implications. The present volume predicates the notion that there is considerable similarity in the issues explored by researchers on different points of the life course. Contributions by leading scholars in psychology, sociology, and anthropology are organized into four sections, each of which contains a treatment of at least two stages in the life course.
Key Features
- Exploration of attachment in early childhood and later life.
- Focus on life course transitions and relationships within families.
- Analysis of the influence of social structural factors on parent-child relations.
- Contributions addressing public concerns such as day care, maternal employment, and care of the elderly.
Additional Information
There are, however, certain limitations to the knowledge in this area. First, research on parents and children is spread throughout a number of disciplines and as a consequence is not well integrated. Further, there has been little dialogue among researchers concerned with parents of young children and those interested in middle-aged and elderly parents and their offspring. Although the chapters make important contributions to basic research and theory, many also deal with issues of public concern, such as gay and lesbian relationships.
