Family Studies: Retrospect and Prospect

Recent work in family studies has not advanced our understanding of the family. In most instances, the family continues to be seen as a static unit and defined in stereotypical terms. At the same time, the family as a unit of study continues to suffer as certain disciplines retain their academic distinctions. There is also a dearth of scholars with good reporting and observation skills that are required to pick up the nuances a study of the family inevitably involves.