The Marriage and Family Experience: Intimate Relationships in a Changing Society brings together all elements of the course--including intimate relationships, family policy, and family issues. It strikes just the right balance between an academic and more functional approach. The book draws from research in sociology, family studies, and related fields, and its sound sociological and family studies base is enhanced by other perspectives from anthropology, history, psychology, journalism, literature, economics, and gender studies. The book presents a positive, multicultural approach to today's relationships as it explores recent research on topics such as adoptive parenting, childbearing patterns, gay and lesbian families, the meaning of virginity, communication and conflict resolution, the influence of popular culture, the rights and benefits of marriage, and working families. The real-life examples, balanced presentation, and focus on self-assessment and reflection make the book especially accessible and encourage students to think and act for themselves. The Tenth Edition's progressive approach to diversity remains rooted in a positive, pro-family perspective.