In the past forty years, American families have become more racially and ethnically diverse than ever before. Different family forms and living arrangements have also multiplied, with single-parent families, cohabiting couples with children, divorced couples with children, stepfamilies, and newly-visible same-sex families. During the same period, socioeconomic inequality among families has risen to levels not seen since the 1920s.This new edition of American Families offers several benefits:Clear conceptual focusNew attention to the historical origins of contemporary family diversityWell-chosen essays by leading names from across the curriculumExplores the interactions between race-ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality in shaping family lifeCompletely updated and expanded bibliography of related sourcesNew companion website with student and instructor resources to enhance learningLeading off with a comprehensive and teachable introduction to the topic, this completely updated, revised, and expanded second edition of Stephanie Coontz's classic collection American Families remains the best resource available on family diversity in America.