Contemporary Issues in Family Studies: Global Perspectives on Partnerships, Parenting and Support in a Changing World

445 Pages·2013·5.961 MB·English

by  Angela Abela, Janet Walker

ISBN 978-1-119-97103-0

Contemporary Issues in Family Studies

Contemporary Issues in
Family Studies
Global Perspectives on Partnerships,
Parenting and Support in a Changing World
Edited by
Angela Abela and Janet Walker
This edition first published 2014
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Contemporary issues in family studies : global perspectives on partnerships, parenting and support
in a changing world / edited by Angela Abela and Janet Walker.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-119-97103-0 (cloth)
1. Families. 2. Marriage. 3. Parenting. I. Abela, Angela. II. Walker, Janet (Janet A.)
HQ503.C657 2013
306.85–dc23
2013020786
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Cover image: Images from Shutterstock (© Kudryashka / © Nowik Sylwia / © vectorgirl /
© Imagewell / © red rose)
Cover design by Richard Boxall Design Associates
Set in 10/12pt Galliard by SPi Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India
1 2014
To all our families

Contents
List of Figures xiv
List of Tables xv
Preface xvi
The Contributors xvi
About the Book xvii
Acknowledgements xviii
Contributors’ Biographies xx
Part I Changing Couple and Family Relationships 1
1 Global Changes in Marriage, Parenting and Family Life: An Overview 5
Angela Abela and Janet Walker
Introduction 5
Changes in Marriage and Couple Relationships 6
Changes in Parenting 8
Global Changes in Family Life 11
Looking Ahead 14
References 15
2 Cohabitation or Marriage? Contemporary Living Arrangements in the West 16
Turid Noack, Eva Bernhardt and Kenneth Aarskaug Wiik
Introduction 16
Historical Background 17
Current Empirical Patterns 19
Same-Sex Cohabitation and Marriage 25
Legal Status of Cohabitation and Its Policy Implications 26
Possible Future Developments 27
References 29
viii Contents
3 ‘Alone Together’ Marriages and ‘Living Apart Together’ Relationships 31
Paul R. Amato and Lydia N. Hayes
Introduction 31
‘Alone Together’ Marriage 32
Individualism in American Culture 36
‘Living Apart Together’ Relationships 38
Implications for the Future 42
References 44
4 Marriage and Divorce in the Western World 46
Jan Pryor
Introduction 46
Marriage 48
Divorce 52
The Implications of Changes in Marriage and Divorce for Families in the
Western World 54
References 56
5 Divorce in the Arab Gulf Countries: A Major Challenge to
Family and Society 59
Layachi Anser
Introduction 59
The Socio-economic Context in the GCC Countries 60
Changes in Family Structure and Values 63
The Effect of Globalisation on Families in the GCC Countries 63
Competing Views on Current Changes in Family Life 64
Marriage and Divorce: A Statistical Overview 65
Major Causes of Divorce in the GCC Countries 69
The Major Effects of Divorce 69
Some Policy Recommendations 70
Concluding Comments 72
References 72
6 Couple and Family Dynamics and Escalations in Violence 74
Justine van Lawick
Introduction 74
Defining Family Violence 74
Prevalence of Violence in the Family 76
The History of Family Violence 78
Understanding the Dynamics 80
Treatment Issues 83
Policy Implications 84
Concluding Comments 85
References 85
7 Loving Diversity: Living in Intercultural Couple Relationships 87
Danika N. Hiew, W. Kim Halford and Shuang Liu
Introduction 87
The Significance of Intercultural Couple Relationships 88
Cultural Differences and Couple Relationships 88