MC_Comprhnsv2016-17_Catalog

FAM I L I E S TODAY

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- sympatheticallyand supportivelyaspossible.Thevolumes lookat someof the typicalproblems that kids in these situations face,andwhereappropriate, they offeradviceand tips forhow these kidsmightgetalongbetter inwhatever situa- tionconfronts them. Obviously,no singlebook—whetherondisability, themilitary,divorce,or someother topic—canhope toanswereveryquestionoraddresseveryprob- lem.To thatend,a “FurtherReading” sectionat thebackofeachbookattempts tooffer someplaces to looknext.Wehavealso listedappropriatecrisishotlines, foranyonewithaneedmore immediate thancanbeaddressedbya library. Whetheryour studentshaveaproject tocompleteoraproblem to solve,we hope theywillbeable tofindclear,empathic informationaboutnontraditional families in thesepages. —H.W.Poole The goal of this set, then, is twofold. First, we’ve tried to describe the history and shape of various nontraditional families in such a way that kids who aren’t familiar with them will be able to n t only understand, but empathize. We also present demographic information that may be useful for students who are dip Meetingchallengesandovercoming them togethercanmake families stronger. Actual Text Size ent. It would be absurd to pretend that such situations are not extremely stressful and, often, detrimental to kids who have to survive them. moregood thanbad.Afterall, ifvery fewpeople live like theCleaversanyway, isn’t itbetter tobehonestabout that fact?Surely,holdingup the traditional familyasan ideal towhichall shouldaspireonly serves to stigmatize kidswhose livesdiffer from that standard.Afterall,nochildrencanbeheld responsible for whatever family theyfind themselves in;all theycando isgrowupasbest they can.Thesebooks take theposition thatevery family—nomatterwhat it looks like—has thepotential tobea successful family. Thatbeingsaid,challengesanddifficultiesarise inevery family,andnontradi- tionalonesarenoexception.Forexample,singleparents tend tobe lesswelloff financially thanmarriedparentsare,and thishas long-term impactson theirchildren. Meanwhile, teenagerswhobecomeparents tend to let theireducationssuffer,which damages their incomepotentialandcareerpossibilities,aswellas risking the future educationalattainmentof theirbabies.Therearesome400,000children in the foster caresystematanygiven time.Weknow that theuncertaintyof fostercarecreates realchallengeswhen itcomes tobotheducationandemotionalhealth. Furthermore, some typesof “nontraditional” familiesareoneswewishdidnot have toexistatall.Forexample,anestimated1.6millionchildrenexperiencehome- lessnessat somepoint in their lives.At least40percentofhomelesskidsare lesbian, gay,bisexual,or transgender teenswhowere turnedoutof theirhomesbecauseof theirorientation.Meanwhile, theUnitedStates incarceratesmorepeople thanany othernation in theworld—about2.7millionkids (1 in28)havean incarceratedpar- ent. Itwouldbeabsurd topretend that such situationsarenotextremely stressful and,often,detrimental tokidswhohave to survive them. Thegoalof this set, then, is twofold.First,we’ve tried todescribe thehistory and shapeofvariousnontraditional families in suchaway that kidswhoaren’t familiarwith themwillbeable tonotonlyunderstand,butempathize.Wealso presentdemographic information thatmaybeuseful for studentswhoaredip- ping their toes into introductory sociologyconcepts. Second,wehave tried to speak specifically to theyoungpeoplewhoare living in thesenontraditional families.The series strives toaddress these kidsas

“What is a family?” What used to seem like a simple question has grown ever more complex. Must a true family have two parents? What about a family with two moms or two dads? With only grandparents? With teen parents? What if parents are of different racial backgrounds, or if they are raising someone else’s kids—what do those factors say about the definition of a family? How does having a family member in the military affect everyone in the home? What happens to a family when one member is in jail? How do mental and physical challenges affect family arrangements? The new series, Families Today, explores the different types of family structures that have become increasingly common in the 21st century. THE BOOKS PROVIDE NOT ONLY OBJECTIVE DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION BUT ALSO FRIENDLY, ACCESSIBLE ADVICE FOR KIDS WITH “NONTRADITIONAL” FAMILIES.

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