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.

Balanced and unbiased

Coming from a very conservative religious background, I found this very intriguing and eye opening. It was touching to hear the voices and personal experiences of each type of family. The focus of the content always had to do with love and overcoming the social difficulties in order to thrive. I like how each personal journey focused on love and individual experiences and didn’t focus on typical rhetoric. Everything seemed considerate, empathetic, however was presented in a fair and objective manner, helping listeners to understand other’s situations and not forcing one view as more correct than another.

Lovingly written and produced

This is an important sociological update with a thoughtful and sensitive look into the many faces of our current adult and parenting relationships. Thank you Audible, Andrew and the production team!

Interesting topic

This book wasn't EXACTLY what I was looking for but the information and stories were good.

Great study of our culture

Like it or not, all of the family types in this audiobook exist in our society, and people want to go about their day without judgement. Listen with an open mind and open heart.

This book opened my eyes...

I really appreciated a different take on Family values. I do not consider myself as a judgemental person or close minded and could relate to many of the interviews. I was taken aback hearing some of struggles that these families have gone through.

There are all kinds of families in this world and hope I can be an encouraging friend, family member, and confidant should anyone reach out to me. This was so inspiring. I wish this would have been available to me much earlier in life cause I feel like I could have contributed differently in society. Meaning, I would have tried more actively to become a surrogate. It once crossed my mind but didn't know who I could have reached out to make an informed decision. I took the easy way out and just lost sight of it.

I suffered from endometriosis; however, was able to get pregnant and have two beautiful healthy girls. The challenge of endometriosis left me with a hysterectomy and therefore can not bare anymore children. Although it's a little sad perhaps my partner and I would be foster parents so we can spread our love to children in need.

Thank you for this book! I hope more people will read this and change the way the world perceives Family Values!

Also, I enjoyed the authors interviews and the reading itself!

Best!!!

Makes you think. Makes you feel. After this you wouldn't mind engaging in a discussion, about these issues, as you will be head strong in the argument defending the rights, lives and wishes of the people in similar situations, as the ones described in this book.

Great book

Wow
A deep look at family and how it’s changed and will be changing for the future and for the best !!

Review of New Family Values

Loved the insights shared in New Family Values. Widened my ability to understand others. Thank you all for sharing. I would definately recommend it.

Wise and affirming

Solomon investigates the complexities of relationships with compassion, caring, and reverence. As an artist and art teacher I emphasized that there is more than one “right” way of doing things. This work exemplifies that belief and points to the need for open mindedness in our world.

Explorative

I really enjoyed hearing so many points of view of raising children in so many dynamic families, as well as choosing to have families with children. Love is all you need.