New Family Values

By: Andrew Solomon

Narrated by: Andrew Solomon

Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Drawing on dozens of intimate audio interviews with families from all across the country, award-winning psychologist and writer Andrew Solomon redefines what it means to be an “ideal family” in America today. Solomon observes that America, led in large part by the women’s, civil rights, and gay rights movements, has undergone a radical social shift in the last few decades. 

While three-quarters of American children lived in families with two (first-time) married, heterosexual parents in the 1960s, today less than half do. The conventional family, Solomon argues, has broken into a multitude of perfect families, including gay families, multiparent families, adoptive families, foster families, families built through assisted reproduction, single parent-headed families, and child-free families. Although the structure of family has changed, economic and legal structures lag behind and need to adapt to accommodate this explosive new reality.

©2018 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.

What a terrific gift from audible!

Everyone should listen to this fascinating, realistic and unbiased view of contemporary family life. Clearly, there are many iterations of immutable connection and love.
The people interviewed were candid and uninhibited. Hats off to Andrew Solomon for eliciting such genuine participation.

Very eye opening for anyone regardless

of where you fall on the spectrum of family. Choose your family and win now.

Promoting diversity

I enjoyed how this was audio was laid out going through diverse family relationships and how each of them live. It was inspiring to hear stories from every kind of relationship and how they overcame or are working on overcoming society judging and persecuting them. I didn't feel the author left any family type out. Very good.

Not what you expect

When i got this Audible original, i was sceptical. I found the narration excellent. It is so interesting to hear how different people make their relationships work. I would definitely recommend this story to teach people more about diversity, and the respect they should have thereto. Well done Andrew!

Excellent interviews

I was skeptical about the topic at first, but was quickly drawn into to each interview. Hearing from people who have experienced adversity because of their alternate families was interesting.

A beautiful listen

Loved the performance. Andrew narrated but also interviewed families, so you got to hear a variety of voices. He must’ve thought of all of the types of family/procreation - even one I had not heard of previously, called rainbow families. I love the air of acceptance and inclusion and the frank discussion of pros and cons, how each arrangement handles legal concerns, etc. Should be required reading for the ignorant.

Excellent and important.

Andrew Solomon is a treasure. Highly recommend all his books. Kudos to Audible for including this in their Originals catalog.

Fascinating, Emotional, Educational, and Inspiring

This was one of my top "listens" in a very long time. While I personally did not identify directly with the family scenarios Solomon describes in this work, hearing their stories was invaluable. Growing up in a "nuclear" family and having been taught conservative Christian beliefs, I am just now in my early 30s starting to look at the world through independent eyes and it is works like this that I appreciate for giving me a whole new perspective. Thank you!

Amazing insight into all kinds of families

As a member of a “non-traditional” family this was just amazing. Heartfelt. Well researched, well written and well narrated.

So much insight! A must read.

I loved listening to this book and have been enlightened. The interviews with each family allowed for a deeper understanding of the various opportunities to familihood. Thank you.