Edited by noted family scholars Marilyn Coleman and Lawrence Ganong, this collection of contemporary, controversial articles is designed to develop students' critical thinking skills and to stimulate dialogue and discussion about important issues in marriage, families, and close relationships. Editors Coleman and Ganong have selected articles that are consistently engaging, lively, and thought-provoking. These include a wide range of both academic and popular essays examining numerous subjects not addressed in most marriage and family texts--such as interracial dating and marriage, age at the time of marriage, men and women as friends, licensing parents, the Internet as an aid in developing relationships, and New Social Darwinism.

Points and Counterpoints presents balanced controversial viewpoints on:
* Relationships.
* Marriage.
* Parenting.
* Family diversity.

Each issue features an introduction to the key concepts and provides discussion questions that encourage students to synthesize the material, explore possible solutions, and develop their own positions.