ABSTRACT
In view of the centrality of family lives and the passion with which we believe family living to be important, it would be reasonable to expect the study of family living to be the most important academic discipline in our schools, colleges and universities. This is simply not the case. Whilst Family Studies is common in the USA and exists in some European countries, there are no departments of Family Studies in the UK. This textbook is aimed at developing and establishing the discipline of Family Studies in the UK.
