You are in: North America
Change location

You are here

Book > Textbooks > Family Studies
Families in Motion
Share
Share

Families in Motion
Dynamics in Diverse Contexts

December 2019 | 408 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Download flyer
Dynamics of the family can be seen as a complex set of interrelated cogs, like the dials and wheels within a sophisticated timepiece. Families in Motion: Dynamics in Diverse Contexts is a clear, comprehensive, and contextual view of how the dials and wheels of that complex set work together. With a focus on multicultural competence through diverse contexts and examples, this new text explores the complexities of the family regarding roles, functions, and development in a way that is approachable for students. Grounded in theory and using 40 years of academic experience, author Clara Gerhardt guides readers through concepts of family theories and examines the ever-changing movement, communication, and conditions of both the family as a system and each member within the system. Covering approaches from the theoretical to the therapeutic, Families in Motion will support students in extending their cultural competence while understanding families and their members with greater confidence. 

 
Preface: From the Head and From the Heart
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
PART I: THE DYNAMIC FAMILY SYSTEM
 
Chapter 1. Family Dynamics: Setting Families in Motion
Setting Families in Motion

 
Family Dynamics: Meaning

 
Lifespan Development and Family Dynamics

 
Why Study Family Dynamics?

 
Defining Families

 
Census Definitions

 
Diverse Families

 
The Family as a System

 
Functions of the Family

 
 
Chapter 2. Dimensions That Influence Dynamics
Tasks, Structure, and Context

 
The Influences on Dynamics

 
The Choreography of the Family Dance

 
Patterns of Family Interaction

 
 
Chapter 3. Dynamic Family Commitments
The Circle of Safety

 
Launching and Landing: The Dynamic Tasks of the Family

 
The Family Orchestra

 
Shaping the Dynamics of the System

 
Dysfunctional Families

 
 
Chapter 4. Observing Family Dynamics
Observing Families

 
Making Dynamics Visible

 
Cultural Constructions of the Family

 
Family Interventions

 
Working With Families

 
 
Chapter 5. Explaining Dynamics With Theories
Theories: Seeking Connection and Meaning

 
Birth of the Family Therapy Movement

 
Major Theoretical Paradigm Shifts

 
The Context of Systemic Thinking

 
 
PART II: THE DYNAMIC LANGUAGE OF THE FAMILY
 
Chapter 6. Communication and Family Relationships
Reaching Out and Connecting

 
Emotional Interactions

 
Power and Patterns of Decision Making

 
Communication in Multicultural Contexts

 
Cultural Echoes: Nuances in Communication

 
 
Chapter 7. Communication and Control
Family Scripts

 
The Power of Disinformation

 
Family Secrets

 
Professional and Work-Related Communication

 
 
Chapter 8. Changing Communication Patterns
Families in a Digital World

 
The Dynamics of a Digital World

 
Family Rituals in a Digital World

 
Family Communication Networks

 
 
Chapter 9. Communication and Resilience
The Pillars of Resilience

 
Resilience and Self-Regulation

 
Resilience on Various Systemic Levels

 
 
Chapter 10. Communication and Life’s Journey
Families: Constant yet Ever Changing

 
Dynamics of Partner Selection

 
Transitions and Turning Points

 
Lifespan-Related Theories

 
 
PART III: DYNAMICS IN DIVERSE CONTEXTS
 
Chapter 11. Dynamics of Loss
Grief and Mourning

 
Interventions: Constructivist Psychotherapy

 
Loss in Limbo: Ambiguous Loss

 
Narrative Therapy

 
Grief Support

 
Grief: The Real Story

 
 
Chapter 12. Dynamics of Power and Excess
The Dynamics of Power

 
The Dynamics of Excess

 
The Dynamics of Collecting

 
From Collecting to Hoarding

 
The Addicted System

 
 
Chapter 13. Dynamics of Family Structure and Transitions
Individual Families

 
Intergenerational Relationships

 
The Single-Child Family System

 
Variations in Family Structure

 
Blended Families

 
Family Transitions

 
Healthy Families

 
 
Chapter 14. Dynamics of Culture and Change
Culture and Change

 
Dynamics of International Families

 
Dynamics of Assimilation

 
Culture and Communication

 
Enculturation and Acculturation

 
 
Chapter 15. Dynamics of Happiness
The Intentionality of Happiness

 
Dynamics of Spiritual Development

 
Education and Public Policy

 
Family Connections and Rituals

 
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

Supplements

Instructor Resource Site

Password-protected Instructor Resources include the following:

  • Editable, chapter-specific Microsoft® PowerPoint® slides offer complete flexibility in creating a multimedia presentation.
  • Test banks provide a range of pre-written options as well as the opportunity to edit and/or insert personalized questions to assess students’ progress and understanding.

“Families in Motion is a critical exploration of family issues and dynamics. It goes beyond definitions and stats and offers a more nuanced understanding of what's going on in families.”

Rhonda Buckley
Texas Woman's University
Key features

Key Features: 

  • This text is aligned with the requirements of the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) set of standards.
  • A focus on family dynamics ensures students are learning the required material in the recommended areas of expertise suggested by the National Council of Family Relations (NCFR) to meet criteria for coursework toward application for the CFLE (Certified Family Life Educator) designation.
  • A Global Glimpses feature is threaded throughout the book, providing diverse examples and helping students connect the material to families and situations in other cultural contexts.
  • Authentic Insights sections offer reflections by real people who have experienced some of the discussed topics firsthand, allowing readers to hear and understand their points of view.
  • Chapter outcomes are referenced as student-friendly Focus Points throughout each chapter and reappear integrated into the chapter summaries, providing a logical thread that connects the most meaningful material throughout each section.


Related Products

Family Theories
Family Theories
Methods of Research on Human Development and Families
Methods of Research on Human Development and Families
SAGE Knowledge Promotion

This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.

Find out more