CONTENTS Preface ... xxi About the Authors ... xxxi UNIT Ⅰ Meanings of Marriage and Family 1 The Meaning of Marriage and the Family ... 3 2 Studying Marriage and the Family ... 37 3 Dynamics and Diversity of Families ... 65 UNIT Ⅱ Intimate Relationships 4 Contemporary Gender Roles ... 107 5 Friendship, Love, and Commitment ... 141 6 Communication and Conflict Resolution ... 179 7 Singlehood, Pairing, and Cohabitation ... 215 UNIT Ⅲ Family Life 8 Understanding Sexuality ... 253 9 Pregnancy and Parenting ... 307 10 Family Processes, Family Life Cycles ... 361 11 Marriage, Work, and Economics ... 409 UNIT Ⅳ Family Challenges and Strengths 12 Family Violence and Sexual Abuse ... 457 13 Coming Apart : Separation and Divorce ... 499 14 New Beginnings : Single-Parent Families, Remarriages, and Blended Families ... 543 15 Marriage and Family Strengths and Needs ... 579 Appendix A Sexual Structure and the Sexual Response Cycle ... 611 Appendix B Choosing a Method of Birth Control ... 617 Appendix C Pregnancy, Conception, and Fetal Development ... 629 Appendix D Family Matters ... 633 Glossary ... 641 Bibliography ... 659 Indexes ... 717