African American Family Life: Ecological and Cultural Diversity (Duke Series in Child Development and Public Policy) - Hardcover

"The message of this book is clear and timely: there is no single portrait of the African American family, only many and diverse versions of these families. By highlighting the varied ecological circumstances of African American families and the range of historical experiences that continue to produce myriad family types, this volume not only provides scholarly insights but also offers an empirically grounded platform for guiding social policies for different groups of families. The focus on the strengths and resilience of these families is a welcome corrective to earlier deficit models and the pathologization of the African American family. Scholars in a variety of fields, including psychology, ethnic studies, anthropology, social work, family studies, and education, would profit from this volume. This book deserves a prominent place in the library of all serious students of the contemporary African American family."--Ross D. Parke, PhD, Center for Family Studies and Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside

"This is a very fine book. It brings a fresh approach to the study of African American families. The ecological perspective is especially appropriate to the study of families. The authors together make it clear that African American families not only grow out of and are shaped by the varied cultural streams in American life, but also make a contribution to the continuing streams of cultural diversity....Will be especially useful as a supplementary text in African American Studies and Family Studies."--Andrew Billingsley, PhD, Department of Sociology and African American Studies Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia

"An intensive examination of the many facets of family life in Black America. This is an excellent text for graduate and advanced undergraduate students seeking the most recent data on this racially, culturally, and socioeconomically diverse population. The editors are to be congratulated for assembling this amazing cadre of contributing authors."--Harriette McAdoo, PhD, Department of Family and Child Ecology, Michigan State University

This volume brings together leading experts from different disciplines to offer new perspectives on contemporary African American families. A wealth of knowledge is presented on the heterogeneity of Black family life today; the challenges and opportunities facing parents, children, and communities; and the impact on health and development of key cultural and social processes. Comprehensive and authoritative, the book critically evaluates current policies and service delivery models and offers cogent recommendations for supporting families' strengths.