Reinventing the Family in Uncertain Times - by Marie-Pierre Moreau & Catherine Lee & Cynthia Okpokiri

Book Synopsis

This edited volume looks at the reproduction and transformation of family norms in contemporary times. Set against a context of far-right politics calling for a return to more conservative identity politics and family norms, and building on late 20th century social movements which challenged essentialist and functionalist understandings of identities and families, it considers a variety of non-traditional family structures.

Written by scholars based in Argentina, Ghana, Italy, Portugal, the UK, and the USA, the chapters question what 'counts' as a family in contemporary times and considers how the discourses of power which operate in institutional and geographical contexts impact how families are recognized and valued. The book includes analysis of non-traditional and non-heteronormative families such as single-parent families, childless families, families with animal companions, LGBTQ families, families across the Global South, mixed heritage families and families of friends. Drawing on post-structuralist, critical, and feminist theories the contributors discuss how power relationships linked to gender, class, ethnicity, sexuality, dis/ability and other in/equalities intersect and operate in defining what counts as a family.

Review Quotes

An impressive overview of research on the family in context, with questions of gender and power at the center of cross cultural analyses. This is a must have for any library in gender studies, childhood and family, or social work.

About the Author

Marie-Pierre Moreau is Professor of Education and Director of the Centre for Education on Identities and Inequalities at Anglia Ruskin University, UK. She is co-editor, with Penny Jane Burke and Nancy Niemi, of the Bloomsbury Gender and Education series.

Catherine Lee is Professor of Inclusive Education and Leadership at Anglia Ruskin University, UK. She is a National Teaching Fellow and has an MBE for Services to Equality in Education.

Cynthia Okpokiri is Lecturer in Social Work at University of East Anglia, UK, and Fellow of Anglia Ruskin University, UK.