Child, Family, and Community
Rebecca Laff
Wendy Ruiz
Copyright Year: 2019
Publisher: College of the Canyons
Language: English
Formats Available
Conditions of Use
Attribution
CC BY
Reviews
There are some areas covered in my course that I was not able to use this text for: Maslow's Theories and Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. There is no index or glossary included, though terms are defined in the context of reading. read more
There are some areas covered in my course that I was not able to use this text for: Maslow's Theories and Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. There is no index or glossary included, though terms are defined in the context of reading.
The text provides accurate depictions of the topics and theories covered and leaves room for interpretation and forming opinions through "Check in Time!" sections with reflection questions.
Some topics related to families and communities will need constant updating to stay relevant to current issues in parenting, education, etc. The topics in this text needing less updating (like theories) are written with a solid foundation.
The text could be used at all levels of courses in higher education. It introduces and explains terminology related to the field of family education.
The flow of the text is easy to follow and uses predictable patterns to organize each chapter and section.
The text is organized with headings and subheadings and has been updated with new fonts and consistent headings throughout. Each chapter is divided into smaller sections that can easily be assigned and read without using the chapter in its entirety. The Table of Contents does not use headings that are easy for the eye to follow and spot which are chapters and which are subheadings.
I like a text with fewer chapters rather than more. With 9 chapters for a 15-week course, I have the opportunity to include other resources or projects that align with and meet all of the course outcomes without feeling like I need to "cut" chapters to make it all work.
Though I don't see interface issues, the overall graphics are not as appealing as other online texts I have viewed. There are no navigation tools other than scrolling all the way through the text to find the appropriate chapters or sections.
I have not detected any grammatical errors.
The text seems to place priority on inclusivity and sensitivity.
The author presents an inclusive framework referencing various ethnic and cultural groups. However, the discussion of the various groups seems cursory with the primary focus on white middle-class European families. The text might benefit from a... read more
The author presents an inclusive framework referencing various ethnic and cultural groups. However, the discussion of the various groups seems cursory with the primary focus on white middle-class European families. The text might benefit from a more theoretical framework to ground each chapter and connect the overall themes. It lacks a glossary but does include a definition/description of terms as they are used in the text. Also, the limited number of chapters (9 chapters) might not fit the needs of a 15-16-week semester course. The text seems appropriate for an introductory class.
The content appears to be accurate but dated. The text is well-sourced; however, the sources might need to be updated to reflect the latest research and thinking in the field. The links provided are relevant and help the reader dive deeper into the subject matter. The author does seem to be neutral (not presenting an agenda) leaving the conclusions to the reader.
The content is extremely relevant even though it is presented from the lens of the White European experiences. The content could use a significant update as it is limited in discussions of how changes in the larger society have and does impact family, community, and school. In addition, the use of examples from schools might add to its relevance.
The author uses a conversational style that adds to the readability and engagement of the text. The organization supports the reader's ability to use previous information to understand new information. Terms are defined within the text.
Each chapter has a similar structure which supports the natural flow of information and the reading expectations.
The limited number of chapters might hinder its use in a 15-16-week semester. However, some chapters present opportunities for longer discussions of some concepts or themes.
The text is well organized with each chapter somewhat building on the previous chapter. The same format and style are used for subheadings and “check-in time.” The author uses check-in times to provide opportunities for the reader to connect personal experiences with the information presented in the chapter. The check-in questions might be rephrased to require higher-level responses. Each chapter includes a set of learning objectives located beneath the chapter headings. The objectives are fully discussed in the chapter. Some chapters include a conclusion (chapter 6); most do not. However, all chapters include an introduction that further explains the learning objectives. The final three chapters on family might be condensed into fewer chapters leaving room to discuss families from other ethnicities. In essence, the organization and structure of the text support the readers learning.
The text does not contain any interface issues. The author provides various options for viewing including PDF, and Google Docs versions. The integrity of the various formats used to present the text is consistent.
The text does not contain any grammatical errors that interfered with the readability or comprehension of the information.
While the text addresses current issues of gender and sexual identity, it provides a cursory introduction to families of different racial and ethnic identities. Pictures are used to depict various diverse families; however, the life and experiences of these families are not integrated into the text through full discussion. The text seems to highlight the middle-class white family. For example, the chapter on culture includes values, beliefs, norms, symbols, and attitudes in reference to the middle-class white family with a standalone discussion of “other” family types. The book does mention current practices of adoptions and presents an informative discussion of its impact on both the child and the family. I suggest integrating a discussion of families of different cultural backgrounds throughout the text to provide a more inclusive picture of the American family, child, and community
Overall, the text is well-written and presents the concepts of family and school relationships in a straightforward manner that can be easily understood by first-year college students. The overall content provides foundational knowledge. Its lack of an inclusive representation of various ethnicities and cultures can be supplemented with other readings.
I appreciate the infusion of theory and diversity, equity, inclusion components that the authors provide. For an introductory-focused text, there could be more of a focus on romantic relationships/mate-selection/dating/long-term relationships,... read more
I appreciate the infusion of theory and diversity, equity, inclusion components that the authors provide. For an introductory-focused text, there could be more of a focus on romantic relationships/mate-selection/dating/long-term relationships, etc. Could interweave more theoretical framework into the chapters to provide opportunities for application. Also, could use a 15 chapter text for standard 15-week semester courses.
Content appears to be accurate, error-free and unbiased. I am not seeing an "agenda". Additionally, content appears to be well sourced, updated, and relevant.
The content could use a significant update as we transition through COVID-19 and have seen significant increases/changes in family/mental health/social trends. Also, for communication references, I need to see more about technology and it's impact on individuals, families, schools, and society.
I appreciate the organization. Each chapters provides learning objectives. The content covers the learning objectives comprehensively.
The text has a natural flow. Each chapter has similar structure. Reading level is consistent. I realize this is not a family theory (upper-level) course. However, would like to see the frameworks revisited more often throughout.
With 9 chapters and 15-weeks in most semester courses, this text appears to be difficult to break down and fit into a semester-long course.
I do see the topics presented in a logical, clear fashion. However, the chapters and ordering may need restructuring. For example, the first chapter on theory is an excellent way to start. There could be a natural progression using a standard life-cycle model. I am also not seeing enough information on aging. I appreciate the narratives to help illustrate key concepts.
Mostly free from issues. However, I do see opportunities to have a graphic designer (intern/student) update the placements. For example, some of the images would be better suited with text wrapped around.
I am not seeing any grammatical errors.
There is a solid DEI focus. I am not seeing any content that is offensive.
I really appreciate the authors approach to DEI. I could see adopting this text for my 100 level introductory course, but would need a broader range of topics related to relationships. Also, would love a test bank, discussion questions, application activities, etc.
The textbook can used for an Introductory class for students interested in the Human Service/Helping Professions. The textbook covers all topics related to children and families in their communities. The language is pretty simple to understand and... read more
The textbook can used for an Introductory class for students interested in the Human Service/Helping Professions. The textbook covers all topics related to children and families in their communities. The language is pretty simple to understand and to follow. There is no idex or glossary associated with this textbook. Maybe the author(s) can update it in the future.
I the content written was fair and unbiased toward all families. The information was clear, concrete and articulately written well. I would have liked more information on Family Adoptions in the US.
The content is relevant and updated to the current times.
The text is easy to read and the terms are written clearly and easy to understand.
The text follows nicely in terminology and framework.
The text offers smaller readings and or sections to help further the discussions in class. The information is straightforward and offers key insights to think about after reading the chapters.
The text flows nicely as the information and materials are easy to read and to understand.
The chart of Gender Identity and Expression was a little hard to understand the smaller sections within the chart.
Grammar was written well.
The text presented excellent diverse family pictues and different cultural groups in each chapter.
The textbook can used for Introductory classes as the smaller sections will help facilitiate througtful discussions. Suggest up to date information on adoption on the domestic front in the US.
The text is appropriate for an introductory course on families. It covers an array of topics and provides definitions for important terms. A glossary of terms is recommended. read more
The text is appropriate for an introductory course on families. It covers an array of topics and provides definitions for important terms. A glossary of terms is recommended.
Content is accurate, unbiased and presented in an objective way.
The content is extremely relevant. The text should update certain terms (i.e. LGBTQ, Native American) as well as references.
The text is easy to read and appropriate for students. It includes Check-In sections and provides context for jargon/terminology used.
The text is consistent in terms of terminology and framework pertaining to children, families, and community.
The text is organized by chapters and can be easily divisible into smaller reading sections. Instructors can choose which chapters, in any order, they would like their students to read.
The text presents the topics in a clear, logical way.
The text is free of interface issues and easy to navigate. The readers may access it as PDF, docx, or Google document.
The text contains no grammatical errors.
The text makes use of examples that are inclusive of a variety of races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. However, it provides a snapshot; instructors should include supplemental materials when focusing within cultural context.
The book covers parenting styles, alternative types of families, cultural connections and multiple viewpoints. It doesn’t include a glossary of terms, rather, it explains the terms in context. A practical feature of this book is that it includes... read more
The book covers parenting styles, alternative types of families, cultural connections and multiple viewpoints. It doesn’t include a glossary of terms, rather, it explains the terms in context. A practical feature of this book is that it includes both the practice of self reflection and authentic scenarios. By providing key strategies to empower families, this book provides a strong foundation for developing relationships between practitioners and caregivers.
The content is accurate and free of bias. When possible, the authors present multiple viewpoints. For example, the authors present both the benefits and setbacks of parenting. They follow up this perspective with an exploration of parenting styles. Each theme of the book is presented in this straightforward manner. I might suggest that the chapter titled, “Building Trusting Collaborative Relationships with Families,” might include a section on how the relationship with families is grounded within the NAEYC standards.
The content is up to date and the purple “check-in” and exploratory sections are provided as a means to make additions and updates. For example, the section covering the mass media’s influence on gender roles within the family would require updates.
The text is easily accessible for students. Terminology is clearly explained, inclusive of the many theories associated with parenting, families and child-rearing. Research is also explained in context after a term or concept is explained. What might be helpful is including a glossary at the end of the text to explain the main vocabulary terms in each chapter.
The text is incredibly consistent. Each chapter is structured using the same format, even though a different topic is explored. There are pictures, tables, and purple boxes which ask the reader to reflect on their understanding and personal experience. Since the format is so consistent, the reader can anticipate how these supportive tools will represent the content.
The text is easily and readily divisible into smaller reading sections that can be assigned at different points within the course. An instructor could easily begin with Chapter 5: What is a family? and then move into Chapter 1: Theories that help us understand families. You might move into parenting styles and then develop the topic of the learner. Since the objectives are presented right under the chapter headings, you could easily reorganize them on a syllabus calendar.
The topics, as aforementioned, are presented in a consistent manner and in an organized fashion. Each chapter is presented in a fluid manner. Subheadings are grouped to support broader themes. For example, each chapter heading is formatted in the same bold style so the reader knows a new chapter is beginning. Each chapter contains a set of learning objectives which are located beneath each chapter heading. Both the tables and figures begin with the chapter, followed by a chronological numbering system. Tables do not contain excessive amounts of color, yet, highlight the information in an inviting way. Each chapter includes essential and relevant topics.
The text does not contain any interface issues. In fact, the authors provide options for viewing. You can read a PDF, docx or google document version of the text easily. When viewing these different formats, the integrity of the tables remain the same.
The textbook is well-written with no known grammatical errors.
The cultural references within the book support the acknowledgement and need to create a welcoming environment for linguistically diverse families. The pictures presented include families from diverse backgrounds. There is a chapter on culture which includes values, beliefs, norms, symbols and attitudes. Rather than address culture as a stand-alone feature, the text integrates aspects of diversity and inclusivity in the context of the other themes of family. The book also explores adoption and how international adoptions contribute to diversity. Trans-parenting and LGBTQ parenting are also discussed. The text cites many studies of different countries and their approaches to parenting, however, I suggest incorporating studies of families of different cultural backgrounds within the U.S. as well.
Overall, this text is well written and presents the concepts of family and school relationships in a straightforward manner. The current text I am using focuses more on parent education, and parent-teacher relationships, but I could easily incorporate this text into the course I am teaching.
This text provides a very comprehensive background in family and child theories. It is lacking some depth in terms of practical applications, and does not go as far as to talk about social policy and the impact of family advocacy on local, state... read more
This text provides a very comprehensive background in family and child theories. It is lacking some depth in terms of practical applications, and does not go as far as to talk about social policy and the impact of family advocacy on local, state and federal law.
This text is accurate, though it presents "other" from a white-cenered perspective and makes no effort to include the voices of researchers and writers from those "other" cultures.
Udates can be incorporated fairly easily, especially within the pinned boxes. As it currently stands there is a great deal of updating needed.
This text is fairly accessible though dense. There is a lot of material here, but it is presented in manageable doses with frequent checks for understanding built in that make it more reader friendly
This text uses terminology consistently, though it needs to be updated in use of unbiased and strengths based language.
This text is easily navigated and not so different from a hard copy text that students would not be able to make sense of the structure and layout. There are breaks and opportunities for stops, plenty of visuals, and clear stopping points throughout.
The organization lends itself to a course grounded in theory and leading to practical application opportunities.
The text is clear, readable, and easy to navigate.
There were few if any grammatical issues in this text.
This text attempts to hit all the points on cultural inclusiveness - examples vary cultural backgrounds very intentionally. It does not, however, make use of researchers and authors who might contribute their own perspectives, instead it talks about these cultures from outside - which is better than not talking about difference at all - but falls short of providing truly relevant and responsive perspectives.
This book would be very useful for a comprehensive course on Families as the theory is deep and rich.
This book would be good for an introductory class on family, school, and community collaboration. It provides comprehensive, but limited information on matters of child development, parenting, socialization, culture, family empowerment, and how... read more
This book would be good for an introductory class on family, school, and community collaboration. It provides comprehensive, but limited information on matters of child development, parenting, socialization, culture, family empowerment, and how teachers can collaborate with families to improve child outcomes.
The book does not have a glossary or index, nor do the chapters have a list of references.
Differences in parenting styles that differ among race & ethnicity, and socio-economic status, are not covered in depth.
The book seems to primarily focus on families that are heteronormative, married parents, with biologically related children. Some of the terms and concepts are not fully accurate. For example, in various places in the book people who live in the US are referred to as "Americans," whereas the name of the US is not America, and thus people who reside in the US would more correctly be referred to as "families/people/individuals/children in the US."
Some of the research cited is quite dated, but edits could easily be made to update the information.
The prose is somewhat accessible, and the text does not contain terminology that is extremely technical. Definitions are provided for technical terms.
The book is consistent in framework and terminology.
The text is broken up into chapters, and within the chapters the text is broken into smaller sections. There are section breaks with comprehension checks, posting interesting questions to ponder, and opportunities for students to apply the concepts.
The book has good organization, structure, and flow. The chapters have consistent structure and organization. Each chapter lists the learning outcomes for that chapter.
Some charts and pictures were distorted in the program I was using to review the text. There were also pages with quite a bit of blank space. Some tables had distorted formatting.
The text is mostly free of grammatical errors. I would give a 4.75 for this criterion.
While the text has some discussion of cultural differences regarding child rearing, parenting, socialization, and family life, I found that the text seemed very lacking in this area. There is very little discussion of diversity in family formations. The text seems to center a heteronormative, middle-class family, with married parents and their biological children living in a single-family dwelling, as the "typical" family. The majority of the pictures in the text were of white families.
This book would be good for an introductory class for students in the first or second year of college, or for high school seniors, who are pursuing a career in teaching elementary education. The book discusses strength-based approaches to supporting families through teacher-family collaborations. The book describes family empowerment and resilience. Topics such as child development, family theories, gender & sex, culture, socialization, and parenting are introduced.
This is a solid foundational text for a Sociology of Family course. Although there is not an index or glossary, the table of contents makes this text easy to navigate. Particularly impressive are the chapters on theory, socialization, and gender.... read more
This is a solid foundational text for a Sociology of Family course. Although there is not an index or glossary, the table of contents makes this text easy to navigate. Particularly impressive are the chapters on theory, socialization, and gender. The chapter on theory provides an essential and comprehensive introduction to theories on understanding family. It is organized by classical sociological and psychological theories. The chapter on socialization includes the primary agents of socialization. The chapter on gender does its job of introducing the idea of gender and how it is expressed and its consequences.
This is an unbiased and accurate depiction of the discipline and its originating ideas. Text does not evaluate theories or ideas, rather simply presents what they are.
This text should stand the test of time. Explanations and examples are concrete and are not based on fads.
Content is up to date, but not in a way that will quickly make the text obsolete within a short period of time. The text is written and arranged in such a way that necessary updates will be relatively easy and straightforward to implement.
One of the strengths of this text is how clear the authors explain sociological theories and concepts in an easy to understand format. This text can be used at all levels of higher education.
Text is consistent in the use of theory, concepts and terms.
Each chapter is divided into specific sections organized by the chapter learning objectives. Sections appear to be brief and easy to locate.
The organization is solid. The text starts with the foundations of the discipline and then moves to understanding the family as a unit and parenting. However, it seems to drift into two chapters of how to support families, then ends.
The interface is simple and not distracting.
There are no grammatical errors.
The text is not offensive. There are attempts to reference other cultures. However, instructors should plan on providing additional resources for this. No single text can address all cultures, so instructors should be prepared to supplement.
Great introduction or foundational chapters. I will definitely adopt - thank you! I will supplement with other materials on issues facing families and experiences of different ethnic groups and sexual orientation.
This textbook covered topics such as socialization, culture, parenting styles, and gender, but I also noticed a few important concepts that were not discussed: intimate partner violence, 5 Myths of the Family, and infertility. Despite this, the... read more
This textbook covered topics such as socialization, culture, parenting styles, and gender, but I also noticed a few important concepts that were not discussed: intimate partner violence, 5 Myths of the Family, and infertility. Despite this, the information presented by the textbook is comprehensible and has a good flow in the language. The text provides additional stories to help students connect the information to real-world situations.
The text does not provide an index or glossary.
The textbooks information is accurate to the current knowledge the sociological discipline has on Marriage and Families, was error free, and written from an unbiased viewpoint.
The textbook is setup in a way that updates should be easy and straightforward to implement. Considering the rate at which families change and shift, a textbook like this will require upkeep and adjustments.
The book has the normal amount of jargon and technical language that should be present when teaching the material. The author provides multiple examples when necessary and also has "Check-In" boxes to help the student think deeper into the material.
The title of the text meets the consistent theme of the textbook. Throughout the entire text you will find information pertaining to children, families, and communities.
The text has sufficient subheadings and headings to make the information easy to find and process. The flow and design of the book allows instructors to easily direct students through the information in the book.
Child, Family and Community is written and presented in a clear and logical fashion. Even if an instructor wanted to go out of order, I believe this text is made strong enough to allow instructors to move through the book in whatever order feels comfortable to them.
The interface of the text is free of issues. Images and charts are clear and in focus. There are links listed as foot notes at the bottom to allow readings to easily find the original source if needed.
The textbook is free of grammatical errors.
The textbook presents many different views and perspectives, allowing for readers to gain viewpoints from a diverse onlookers of families and children. This book does not lack the appreciation of diversity.
This textbook is a good source for a Marriage and family course, but it may need to be assigned as the main text while the instructor pulls in other resources to discuss information not included in this text. The book is definitely a very good beginning for a full OER textbook for studying the Sociology of marriages, families, and children.
This text provides a comprehensive look at family theory, the family as an agent of socialization, and the importance of culture and diversity. It provides a good overview of parenting and how educators can develop positive relationships with... read more
This text provides a comprehensive look at family theory, the family as an agent of socialization, and the importance of culture and diversity. It provides a good overview of parenting and how educators can develop positive relationships with families. Family engagement and the importance of community supports. Examples provided throughout the book assist the reader in understanding the content. There is no index or glossary. The Check-in Boxes provide opportunities for students to reflect on the text and apply the material presented.
Content is accurate and provides an unbiased view of the topic
The content could use some more up to date references. The information is important and provides an understanding of theory and practice. Addition of current research would make this a stronger text. The links that it provides within the text are relevant and help the reader to delve deeper into the subject matter. An addition to specifically discuss schools along with community would make it a stronger text.
This is an easy text for the student to read. It provides context for jargon and gives numerous examples of practice. The Check-in sections provide additional opportunities to understand the material being presented.
The terminology and framework of the text is consistent for the subject matter on children, families and community
The lay-out of the text makes it easy to break into appropriate teaching modules. These could easily be shifted if the instructor wanted to.
The arrangement of the text makes it easy to follow. The chapters are presented in an order that an instructor would usually approach the subject matter; theory then practice. The Check-in boxes are located in spaces that are logical for the reader to reflect on the subject mater
Text is free of interface issues. There are numerous web links listed as footnotes. It may be easier to access them if they were listed at the end of each chapter, rather than footnotes.
The text contains no grammatical errors.
This text puts an emphasis on the importance of culture and diversity. It is a significant part of the presentation of the text and is effective
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1: Theories That Help Us Understand Families
- Chapter 2: How Children Learn and Understand Their World
- Chapter 3: What is Culture and Why is it Important?
- Chapter 4: How Does Gender Influence Children, Families and Communities?
- Chapter 5: What is a Family?
- Chapter 6: A Closer Look at Parenting
- Chapter 7: Building Trusting Collaborative Relationships with Families
- Chapter 8: Welcoming & Supporting Families
- Chapter 9: Creating Positive Goal-Oriented Relationships with Strengths-Based Attitudes and Relationship-Based Practices
Ancillary Material
About the Book
Over the years researchers have found the necessity to develop theories of behavior that are specific to family settings. These theories have been developed by people with a variety of areas of emphasis, from family therapists to gerontologists to child development specialists. In this chapter we will briefly discuss six such theories: Bioecological Model, Family Systems, Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, and Psychological Perspectives.
About the Contributors
Authors
Rebecca Laff
Wendy Ruiz