Human Families

Boulder, CO.: Westview Press, 1997. This detailed scholarly study maps the variations in family systems throughout the world, focusing on the ways families interact with their societies. Tracing the developmental cycle of families in a wide range of times and places, Stevan Harrell shows how family members in different societies must cooperate to perform various activities and thus organize themselves in particular ways.Within six major divisions, the book describes families in nomadic bands, traditional African societies, Polynesian and Micronesian societies, native societies of the Pacific Northwest coast, preindustrial class societies, and modern industrial societies. Within each group, the author’s copious examples demonstrate the variation from one family system to another. His case studies are clearly illustrated with a unique set of diagrams that allow comparison of complex groups and of family processes extending over a generation. 599 pgs. Illustrated. Dustjacket has a small closed upper edge tear taped on the inside of the front cover. In mylar. Minimal shelfwear.. First Edition. Hard Cover. As New/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.