Family Theory

Author: Gary S. Becker
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2005-04-01
Features: The Family is based on the study of family issues and proposes an economic analysis of the family. Although it utilizes the author's previous research findings, many of the analyses are unique. Chapter 2 analyzes the family division of labor between men and women and individuals with the same qualities. Chapter 3 integrates the influence of polygyny, the demand for children, differences between men, and other variables. Chapter 9 analyzes mating and offspring quantity in non-human species. Chapter 11 discusses the nuclear family, extended family, and kinship issues in traditional, ancient, and modern societies. The basic analyses in other chapters are based on the descriptions in the published works, but the content of the discussion has been rewritten. This book primarily focuses on deepening the analysis, but most chapters also include empirical materials, recent statistics, historical studies of specific rural, urban, and national contexts, as well as the situations of Islamic, African, and Eastern societies, and the ethnographic history of primitive societies in anthropology. These materials are not systematic, but their breadth perfectly demonstrates the comprehensive analysis proposed. Whether it is for past or present families, primitive or modern families, or Eastern or Western cultures, this analysis is at least partially applicable.