Family Careers makes use of the developmental approach to studying families in order to present a clear, up-to-date account of the changes in families from the time they are formed until they are dissolved. Particular emphasis is given to: the influence of social contexts on patterns of family interaction over time; and the family as a social context within which individual members develop.

A coherent and manageable presentation of systems theory informs the argument, and the inherent limitations of the developmental perspective are recognized.