This introductory textbook presents psychological and sociological perspectives on the family and explores the links between the family and social policy. The focus is on issues which bring the family into contact with the welfare state - such as domestic violence, child abuse, mental health, old age, poverty, juvenile delinquency and homelessness. The book highlights the different forms of regulation and intervention that the family’ can be subejct to, and how theoretical and ideological models of the family are use to explain a wide range of problems and inform professional interventions.