This book’s individual entries introduce, explain and contextualise key topics within the study of family lives. Definitions, summaries and key words are developed throughout with careful cross-referencing allowing students to move effortlessly between core ideas and themes. . Each entry provides: * Clear definitions * Lucid accounts of key issues * Up-to-date suggestions for further reading * Informative cross-referencing Relevant, focused and accessible, this book will provide students with an indispensible guide to the central concepts of family studies.