Family Theories: An Introduction

Family Theories: Foundations and Applications

“…I have provided examples of this connection throughout my review, but given the challenge of weaving these essential pieces of family science together, I felt it was worthy of being a stand‐alone strength. This decision was reiterated by both Settles's () and Adamsons's () book reviews on two of the more recent family theory books. Settles () critiqued the authors of Family Theories: An Introduction (White et al, ) for their decision to provide few empirical and contemporary exemplars, and when they did so, they chose examples that were outdated (e.g., referencing Beverly Hillbillies ), which likely reduces the “shared frame of reference between teacher and student” (Settles, , p. 524).…”

“…This decision was reiterated by both Settles's () and Adamsons's () book reviews on two of the more recent family theory books. Settles () critiqued the authors of Family Theories: An Introduction (White et al, ) for their decision to provide few empirical and contemporary exemplars, and when they did so, they chose examples that were outdated (e.g., referencing Beverly Hillbillies ), which likely reduces the “shared frame of reference between teacher and student” (Settles, , p. 524). According to Settles, the absence of contemporary exemplars places a heavy burden on instructors to bring the course to life and help students connect theory to other aspects of a family science curriculum.…”

“…One of Settles's () core critiques of White et al's () Family Theories: An Introduction was the authors' lack of attention to diversity, particularly race and ethnicity, as well as a flawed depiction of contemporary gender roles and feminist theories. Allen and Henderson move the needle forward toward addressing Settles's () critique.…”

“…One of Settles's () core critiques of White et al's () Family Theories: An Introduction was the authors' lack of attention to diversity, particularly race and ethnicity, as well as a flawed depiction of contemporary gender roles and feminist theories. Allen and Henderson move the needle forward toward addressing Settles's () critique. One key strength lies in Allen and Henderson's decision to centralize gender and sexual orientation, as well as various developmental stages, especially older adults, within the broader social structure or context—this makes Family Theories quite distinct from other family‐theory focused books.…”

“…Family Theories addresses most of the key critiques or noted weaknesses of prior family theory textbooks, particularly those laid out by Settles () when reviewing White, Klein, and Martin's () Family Theories: An Introduction and by Adamsons () when reviewing Fine and Fincham's () Handbook of Family Theories: A Content‐Based Approach . Key critiques or noted weaknesses in prior family theory textbooks include a lack of historical grounding for each theory; minimal discussion of changes in families and society over time; absent shared frame of reference between teacher and student (i.e., not providing explicit empirical and practical examples); stereotypical and flawed discussion of gender and feminist theories; and use of content‐ versus theory‐focused framing, which might prevent students from developing deeper theoretical understanding.…”