Everyone is part of a family - but what constitutes a 'family' is one of the most hotly debated issues in the United States today. This set provides extensive coverage of those critical issues in American culture concerning current and future family life, such as dating, marriage, parenting, work and family, abuse, and divorce. The contributors provide unbiased coverage on these often incendiary topics, allowing students to assess the role of these controversies in their own lives. Entries introduce the topic of concern, describe the problem as it exists, provide context for the controversies surrounding it, synthesize the current knowledge on the topic, and guide the reader to additional areas for consideration. Articles serve as a starting point for students to pursue a detailed study of family controversies and cultural concerns.