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Family Communication
Nurturing and Control in a Changing World



November 2005 | 368 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Family Communication: Nurturing and Control in a Changing World thoroughly reviews the traditional family communication theories of roles theory, family systems theory, and rules theory in an engaging, non-traditional way. This book uniquely organizes the study of family communication around the concepts of nurturing and control in all family relationships, across all family forms, and their relationships to psychological processes and communicative outcomes in families.

Key Features:
  • Looks at Family in All Forms: Traditional nuclear; non-traditional nuclear; bi-nuclear families; cohabitation, single-parent households; step-family and blended configurations; gay families; couples with no children; and extended families are all examined. While not all families fit neatly within any of the traditional definitions, this book articulates a sentiment that most students can resonate to—that all family forms include some form of nurturing and control.
  • Explores Sociological and Psychological Factors: Various forces such as governmental, religious, media influences, and social science research, cause us to assume most families are traditional and nuclear, using biological, legal, and sociological definitions. In addition to the sociological and psychological bases of developmental processes, the development of parental attachment is fully discussed, showing how nurturing and controlling communication processes encourage socio-emotional competence in children.
  • Explicates New Research Findings: A new family communication theory—Inconsistent Nurturing as Control Theory—explores the ways in which family members attempt to change the undesirable behaviors of a particular family member (e.g., substance abuser, eating disordered individual, gambler, depressed person, violent individual) through their use of nurturing as control.
Intended Audience:
Perfect for the introductory undergraduate course in Family Communication; as well as courses in Sociology, Social and Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, Family Counseling, Family Education, and Home Economics

 
Introduction
 
1. Introduction: Families, Communication, and Family Communication
Families

 
Communication

 
Family Communication

 
Why Communication is Central to Families

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Questions for Application

 
 
2. Family Forms in Our Changing Society
Introduction - The Family Context

 
Societal Influences on the Family Form

 
Family Forms

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Questions for Application

 
 
3. Theoretical Approaches to Understanding Communication in the Family
Introduction of Theory

 
Roles Theory

 
Family Systems Theory

 
Rules Theory

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Questions for Application

 
 
4. Forming the New Family Pairing - Two Become One
Social Psychological Bases of Attraction

 
Psycho-Analytic Bases of Attraction

 
Relational Stages of Development

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Questions for Application

 
 
5. Communication in the Newly Formed Family - Adding Children
The Effects of Pregnancy on Communication

 
Addition of the Child and Changes in Communication

 
Communication in Sibling Relationships

 
Adding Children Through Remarriage: Communication in the Step-Parent-Step-Child Relationship

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Questions for Application

 
 
6. Nurturing and Controlling Communication: Raising Socio-Emotionally and Intellectually Competent Children
Control - Providing Discipline and Guidance through Communication

 
Nurturing - Providing Support and Love

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Questions for Applications

 
 
7. Nurturing Communication in Marital Relationships: Encouraging Closeness, Stability, and Satisfaction through Communication
Introduction

 
Maintaining Closeness in Marital Relationships

 
The Communication of Closeness in the Marital Relationship

 
Factors Related to Marital Satisfaction which May Affect Marital Communication

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Questions for Application

 
 
8. Control in Marital Relationships and the Family
Introduction

 
The Nature of Conflict

 
Models of Conflict

 
Conflict Styles

 
Conflict Strategies (Interpersonal Influence Strategies)

 
The Nature of Violence

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Questions for Application

 
 
9. Nurturing and Controlling Communication Surrounding Undesirable Behavior in the Family
Introduction

 
Undesirable Behavior in the Family

 
The Potential Role of Communication and Problematic Behavior in Families

 
Family Systems Theory

 
Coercion Theory

 
Inconsistent Nurturing as Control Theory

 
Key Terms

 
Questions for Application

 
 
10. Family Communication: Providing Nurturing and Control in a Changing World
Introduction - What We Have Learned

 
The Current Configuration of Families: Nurturing and Controlling Communication

 
Improving Family Communication

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Questions for Application

 

This is an excellent book, well written and easy to read. I will be recommending my students read this books as spans all the modules throughout the course. I particularly like the summary, key terms and application to practice at the end of each chapter.

Pat Hosgood
Faculty of Health Ormskirk, Edge Hill University
November 12, 2014

A very useful book for anyone who works with families and who wants to better understand the relationship between nurture and control in the family dynamic.

Ms Angela Hilton
School of Education, Wolverhampton University
March 19, 2014

A good book to support family practitioners in their work with families

Mrs Maria Johnson
Community Learning Service, North East Lincolnshire Council
June 28, 2013

Textbook has been adopted through the UCSB Bookstore for Fall 2012 Quarter. which will begin on September 21, 2012.

Professor is requesting: 2 Desk Copies.

Miss Mary Hilligoss
Department of Communication, University of California at Santa Barbara
July 10, 2012

I am more than happy to add this text to the Year 1 FdA student supplementary reading list for the Interpersonal and Communication Skills module. Even though much of the text is beyond the level of depth that needed by the year 1 students in the study of their module, there are some really useful sections in the book that the students will find very useful, because aspects of these topics are covered in the schedule of work. The overview of the importance of communication in families, the sections on raising communicative children and resolving conflict in family situations through effective communication are particularly useful. There is a useful reference list in the book that will help to point students undertaking our module onto further relevant reading. I like the summaries at the end of every chapter and i think the book could do with some more pictures, especially in colour.

Mr Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
early years and education, Cornwall College
April 4, 2012

A good introduction to the diversity of differing family groups in today's society. A range of issues that happen within families is explores and the book introduces a new theory which looks at the way families modify undesirable behaviour within the family. Suitable for Foundation Degree level courses concerned with Society and working with Families ie Social Work and Social Care.

Mrs Jacqui Fromberg
Faculty of Health, Community and Care, Croydon College
September 26, 2011
Key features
  • Inclusive treatment of ALL family forms:  traditional nuclear; non-traditional nuclear (i.e., working moms); bi-nuclear families (families where children live in two homes with one biological parent and one non-biological parent); cohabitation, single-parent households; step-family and blended configurations; gay families; couples with no children; and extended families
  • Explores the forces—governmental, religious, media influences, and social science research—that cause us to assume most families are traditional and nuclear, using biological, legal, and sociological definitions
  • Organizing theme and theories:  Roles theory, family systems theory, and rules theory are used throughout, using the organizing scheme of nurture/control so students can better understand, relate to, and apply the material
  • Unique material:  Development of parental attachment is fully discussed, showing how nurturing and controlling communication processes encourage socio-emotional competence in children
  • Unique material:  The explication of a new family communication theory called Inconsistent Nurturing as Control Theory, which explores the ways in which family members attempt to change the undesirable behaviors of a particular family member (e.g., substance abuser, eating disordered individual, gambler, depressed person, violent individual) through their use of nurturing as control

Sage College Publishing

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