Reviews the various meanings of the words "normal,""functional," and "healthy," and suggests greater caution and guidelines for the use of these words to avoid ambiguity and erroneous implications. (Author)

Starting with a definition of what constitutes midlife, crises, and reverberations, the paper addresses some commonly preferred support networks chosen by women in midlife, with particular emphasis on the perceived value of each as a factor in adjustment and life satisfaction. (Author)

Leisure is examined as a normal and potentially vital component in the contemporary family. Consideration is given to the interplay between work and leisure and the means by which leisure facilitates companionship and family interaction. (Author)

This paper attempts to reassess the role of grandparent from a social class perspective. The role is analyzed first as a "peculiar noninstitution" for middle-class families in the United States. Grandparenting is shown to differ by degree of "functional centrality" in middle-class families and families of lower socioeconomic status. (Author)

This paper explores the older woman's place in our nation's economy, with special emphasis on the impact of employment levels, pension plans, and Social Security benefits. It concludes that preservation of the family as an institution depends on making marriage and divorce more equitable relationships. (Author)

"Marriage" is treated as a mental concept that evolves in a developmental sequence of four qualitatively distinct stages: Magical, Idealized Conventional, Individualistic, and Affirmational. Each stage is illustrated with excerpts from Ingmar Bergman's Scenes From a Marriage. Some applications for marriage counselors are suggested. (Author)

The theory that there exists a relationship between romantic love and sexual blockage was once widely accepted, but has recently been ignored. The author defines the terms and clarifies the relationship. He then examines 24 cultures and finds a strong correlation between the variables. The implications for marriage are discussed. (Author)

The psychological set which characterizes youth includes a rejection of established cultural values, a search for identity, groping, an attitude of experimentation, and a desire for change. Results of this for the family will be experimentation with family forms and drugs, alteration of the family's leisure function, and socialization procedures.…

The role of the elderly differs with their different social organizations. In closed religious societies, secure interpersonal family relations, established in childhood, continue until death. In secular urban society, individualism and the nuclear family often leave the old person emotionally stranded. (Author)

Considerable evidence exists that the extended family continues to be a significant source of support for older people. There are limitations to its effectiveness in meeting certain needs, however. While the family is particularly effective in acute, emergency situations, it is poorly suited to the provision of long-term assistance. (Author)

Current social changes reinforce the need for trained marriage and family counselors. After a brief examination of these changes, already established programs, advantages, disadvantages, and the criterion for the establishment of a nation-wide paraprofessional program are discussed and groups which might benefit from para-professional training are…

This paper examines the concept of marriage enrichment, seeing it as a response to the transition from institutional to companionship marriage in our contemporary world. Modern marriage requires "interpersonal competence," rather than skill in role functioning, in order to succeed. (Author)

This paper describes the Pairing Enrichment Program (PEP), designed for married couples who wish to enhance their interpersonal relationship. The program is based on the principles of self-actualization and interpersonal growth. Extensive follow-up procedures have provided the evaluation data. (Author)

Exceptions to stereotypes of leisure behavior suggest that leisure may be chosen by the participant more than determined by social position. Unconditional, coordinated, and complementary types of leisure are distinguished by orientations toward intrinsic satisfaction or role expectations. (Author)

The author examines differing concepts of time-space and how these influence the way families use their leisure. A typology of family leisure styles is presented offering several normal and pathological alternatives. (Author)