ABSTRACT
This book is about relationships between members of families in adult lifeparents and children, brothers and sisters, aunts, nieces, cousins, grandparents, anyone who is acknowledged as a relative. It is based upon a research study which we have conducted into contemporary relationships between adult kin, especially their significance as sources of practical and financial help. At a time when public statements about the decline in family life are commonplace, we were trying to find out whether these relationships within kin groups do have any real meaning. We were especially interested in whether concepts of family responsibility, or duty or obligation make any sense to people living in contemporary Britain.
