REFLECTIONS ON FAMILY
By Douglas Besharov

What are the characteristics of the American family structure and how is it likely to change in the immediate future? A leading scholar and researcher offers his perspective and predictions.

THE AMERICAN FAMILY, BY THE NUMBERS

Statistics reveal the degree of change in U.S. families and households over the past half-century.

WHAT MAKES A FAMILY?
A Conversation with Mark Hutter

The discussant, a university professor of sociology, offers some thoughts on various changes that have occurred in the family dynamic over the past two decades.

THE AMERICAN FAMILY: WHERE WE ARE TODAY
By Stephanie Coontz

The author, who has written extensively on the family in the United States, presents her perspective on the challenges facing American families, and how families are dealing them.

DAD'S ROLE REDEFINED IN THE U.S. HOUSEHOLD
By Leslie Mann

The number of U.S. fathers who are their family's primary caregivers in two-parent households has increased steadily in the past decade. In this article, the author transmits the points of view of representative dads themselves.

THE AGING OF THE AMERICAN FAMILY
A Conversation with Elinor Ginzler

The author, a specialist in health and long-term care, currently is analyzing intergenerational issues. She notes some of her findings to date.

STRONG BOND LINKS GRANDPARENTS, GRANDCHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES

This article briefly outlines the findings of a recent survey by the American Association of Retired Persons.

SPECIAL THOUGHTS FROM A SPECIAL PARENT
By Gay Robin Labrum

Seven years of trial and error has produced for the writer, parent of a child with multiple disabilities, numerous lessons that she offers to readers in this most personal message.

REFRAMING THE DEBATE ABOUT WORKING AND CHILDREN
By Ellen Galinsky

It is essential for children to be part of the conversation about work and family life, notes the author, a longtime specialist on the American family, workplace and community.

THE VOICES OF AMERICA'S FAMILIES
By Tiffany Danitz

Through the blending of voices of children and adults discussing their households, this portrait of the contemporary American family emerges.

HOME IMPROVEMENT
By Laura Shaine Cunningham

Every family or household is a culture unto itself, the author -- a noted novelist and memoirist -- writes, stressing that the purpose of family remains constant.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INTERNET SITES

U.S. Society & Values

Electronic Journal of the Department of State

Volume 6, Number 1, January 2001

The Office of International Information Programs of the U.S. Department of State provides products and services that explain U.S. policies, society, and values to foreign audiences. The Office publishes five electronic journals that examine major issues facing the United States and the international community. The journals -- Economic Perspectives, Global Issues, Issues of Democracy, U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda, and U.S. Society and Values -- provide statements of U.S. policy together with analysis, commentary, and background information in their thematic areas.

All issues appear in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish language versions, and selected issues also appear in Arabic and Russian. English-language issues are published at approximately a one-month interval. Translated versions normally follow the English original by two to four weeks.

The opinions expressed in the journals do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. government. The U.S. Department of State assumes no responsibility for the content and continued accessibility of Internet sites linked to herein; such responsibility resides solely with the publishers of those sites. Articles may be reproduced and translated outside the United States unless the articles carry explicit copyright restrictions on such use. Potential users of credited photos are obliged to clear such use with the indicated source.

Current or back issues of the journals, and the roster of upcoming journals, can be found on the Office of International Information Programs' International Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/journals.htm. They are available in several electronic formats to facilitate viewing on-line, transferring, downloading, and printing.

Comments are welcome at your local U.S. Embassy or at the editorial offices:

Editor, U..S. Society & Values
Society and Values Team -- IIP/T/SV
U.S. Department of State
301 4th Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20547
United States of America

ejvalues@pd.state.gov

Publisher  Judith S. Siegel;  Editor  Craig B. Springer;  Managing Editor  Michael J. Bandler;  Associate Editors, Reference/Research  Mary Ann Gamble, Kathy Spiegel;  Contributing Editors  Charles Goss, Inga McMichael, Rosalie Targonski;  Art Director  Thaddeus A. Miksinski, Jr.;  Graphics Assistant  Sylvia Scott;  Internet Editor  Wayne Hall;  Editorial Board  Howard Cincotta, Judith S. Siegel, Leonardo Williams