The Dynamics of Family Policy

Families, in whatever form they may take, are at the center of all our lives. In the absence of a comprehensive national family policy, any policy that attempts to alter our lives peripherally can affect the stability, composition, and future of our families. In the United States, all policy becomes family policy. Such is the position of the authors of The Dynamics of Family Policy.

This book challenges readers to redefine and broaden definitions of the family to reflect fundamental and recent demographic shifts in its structure. Devolution and managed care are among the nine major themes that weave their way through the chapters of the book. The book provides an approach to policy analysis and advocacy that takes politics, power, and social problems into account. The authors provide an in-depth and detailed coverage of social policy in areas such as poverty, work and employment, food, housing, and welfare, health care, and family violence. Additional chapters address family-focused policy initiatives such as marriage incentives, family caregiving across the lifespan, and the care and support of children. The book includes exercises and assignments for readers who want to become more actively involved in advocacy and policy practice.

The Dynamics of Family Policy explores the roles professionals play in developing, implementing, and monitoring family policy. The book’s combination of a comprehensive government policy account and a family-focused analytic perspective will enable students to maximize their understanding as they begin their careers in the helping professions.