This anthology reflects the cultural diversity of the American family by providing a range of relevant articles integrating race, class, gender, and ethnicity. The collection of 35 readings reveals both historical trends and unique variations that widen our understanding of the diversity, patterns, and dynamics of the American family. Topics new to the fourth edition include: Internet dating, the Internet and family relations, wives and families of professional baseball players, the depiction of fathers in comic books, single parenthood by choice, divorce and fatherhood. The readings avoid jargon and sophisticated statistical techniques, making them easily accessible for non-sociologists. Each selection is accompanied by a brief introductory statement that highlights its sociological significance and contains an introductory essay focusing on pertinent issues and concerns.