This number one seller in the market combines top-notch interdisciplinary research with a unique choices theme, allowing the text to appeal across the spectrum of the market. Lamanna and Riedmann's coverage of American family issues is diverse in its inclusion all family types: working parents, poor and minority families, gay and lesbian couples, and other nontraditional families. In addition to strengthening and thoroughly updating the research base, the authors have added two completely new chapters: Chapter 2, "Social Constructions of Families," which focuses on societal factors and how they affect the family, and Chapter 17 "Aging and Families," which includes new topic coverage on retirement, elder care, and sexuality in old age. At the same time, the authors maintain the humor and personality that has shaped their text into the market leading text it is today.