This solid revision of the best-selling Family Theories remains the only single-volume textbook to present family theory in a clear, approachable manner appropriate for both advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students. James White and David Klein draw upon seven major theoretical frameworks developed by key social scientists to explain variation in family life, including the exchange, symbolic-interaction, family life course development, systems, conflict, feminist, and ecological theoretical frameworks. Brief fictional accounts or vignettes introduce each theoretical framework, concretely illustrating for students how the theory relates to very real aspects of family life. In addition, all chapters follow a uniform format that allows students to more easily compare and contrast theories. Each chapter also includes a typology for analyzing and comparing the seven frameworks while providing direction for future theory development.

• Chapter One consolidates material on theory and philosophy of science previously spread across two introductory chapters.
• A new chapter on feminist theories has been added (Chapter 7) and the chapter on ecological theories (Chapter 8) has been substantially updated and revised.
• All chapters have been updated to reflect new developments in the field.

An incisive, thorough introduction to current theories of the family, Family Theories balances the diversity and richness of a broad scope of work from different perspectives with ease of use in a one-semester course. Recommended for courses in Theories of the Family, Marriage & the Family, Family Studies, and Sociology of the Family.