ABSTRACT
Taken together, the chapters in this book weave a tale of connecting patterns of family inXuence across the life span. And a complex tale it is indeed. Family stories provide messages of expected conduct, lessons learned, and relationship formation. The thematic content of these stories covers a wide range of common experiences, such as visits to Grandma, what to do when rules are broken, how to repair hurt feelings, and responding to peer pressure. In this regard, the contents of family stories serve as metaphors of the challenges faced by families in raising children, becoming partners, and growing old. Family stories extend beyond the messages relayed, however. The act of engaging others in the storytelling process is a context in which culture is conveyed and cognitive development supported.
