This book deals with the diversity of family types and communication, including chapters dealing with the "dark side" of family abuse and breakup. The antiquated definition of a nuclear family is changing. A classic definition of the nuclear family was a family group consisting of a pair of adults and their children. This is in contrast to the smaller, single-parent family and to the larger extended family.

Not only are culturally diverse functions of families examined, but a variety of family forms which exist in the United States over its history are investigated as well. In combination and as an outcome of these two perspectives, diversity in family formation, relationship dynamics, communication style, resource utilization, decision-making approaches, and reconfiguration choices following personal and national disasters are examined.

The goal is to encourage you to apply findings to other areas of study in which you engage. Studying family communication provides an excellent context in which people can be encouraged to critically examine a situation familiar to them and, at the same time, expand their knowledge about human relationships.

James M. Honeycutt and Laura C. Hatcher are winners of numerous research awards. Their research interests include relational conflict, imagined interactions, physiological responses to inter- and intrapersonal communication, and how human pheromones influence interpersonal communication. Their hobbies include jogging, board games, doting on dogs, and mixing music.