Marilyn Ihinger-Tallman and Teresa M. Cooney's Families in Context introduces foundational ideas and concepts about families and applies them to issues and events relevant to today's college student population. This comprehensive but concise paperback--written in clear, student-friendly language--fills the following needs not being met by existing texts:

* The text is structured consistently, featuring an overarching framework that combines family systems theory and ecological systems theory. This approach bridges both micro- and macro-perspectives on families.
* Each chapter places families squarely within their respective environments--their neighborhood, community, and national context--and provides conceptual linkages between the different aspects of family life.
* Diversity is integrated into each chapter. * The text's emphasis on social context allows the exploration of families in at least three ways: (1) how individuals live out their intimate experiences within families and communities; (2) the impact of family groups on their neighborhoods and communities, and vice versa; and (3) the ways in which the larger social contexts influence families within different class levels and racial groups.
* The book's brevity and reasonable price allow ample time for instructors to easily supplement their courses with additional materials.
Each chapter opens with a "Did You Know?" box, detailing ideas related to chapter content and preparing students for the chapter's topics. Similarly, a box entitled "Things to Think About" offers questions, definitions, or comments intended to provoke students' critical thinking.

The text provides a "hands-on" approach by featuring critical-thinking activities at the end of each chapter, enabling students to apply learned concepts and principles. Finally, additional readings and a glossary of relevant theoretical concepts are provided.

A comprehensive electronic Instructor's Manual/Testing Program accompanies the text--as well as a dedicated Website. In addition, an Interactive Student Study Guide is available.