The Family in Global Perspective: A Gendered Journey
(3rd Edition, 2025)
The third edition of The Family in Global Perspective: A Gendered Journey explores the differences and similarities in family structures around the globe. Students learn how factors such as location, culture, power, and globalization influence how families function and the unique experiences of family members.
The book begins with a chapter recounting the author’s worldwide travels, emphasizing her observations regarding family life. Proceeding chapters examine the purposes and goals of family life, the history of the family in the West, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and how capitalism and power differences impact family life. Students gain a theoretical understanding of families and information on how gender relations, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, and other structural conditions affect the family. The book explores the nature of intersectionality and one’s positionality in the social order.
The third edition features updates throughout to provide readers with the most current research and data. Chapter 9 now includes a section on the relationship between cousins. Additionally, Chapter 10 has been heavily revised and contains updated data and new information on human trafficking, mass shootings, and the intergenerational transmission of trauma. This edition also includes new information on the impact of COVID-19 on family life.
The Family in Global Perspective effectively demonstrates how families around the world are impacted by social, economic, and political change. It is ideal for courses in family studies, sociology, global studies, cultural studies, social work, and counseling.
Elaine Leeder is Professor Emerita of Sociology and Dean Emerita of Social Sciences at Sonoma State University. Previously, she taught at Ithaca College in Ithaca New York. She earned her doctoral degree from Cornell University, a master’s in public health from the University of California at Berkeley, and a master’s in social work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University in New York. Dr. Leeder has experience as an educator, professional psychotherapist, consultant, and trainer of mental health and criminal justice professionals. Currently, she facilitates victim/offender dialogues in prisons.