The movement from young adulthood through coupling and the transition to parenthood may be among the most universal adult developmental transitions. These passages hold interest for all of us, but especially for those who study the psychological, familial, and sociocultural components of development, all of which interact and influence each other. This book enhances understanding of family-life development by shedding light on the meanings that family members ascribe to the developmental process of becoming a family. This is achieved through qualitative analysis of narratives through which individuals and families explain themselves, their thinking, and their behavior. These family narratives are windows into individual and family identity, as well as descriptions of connections to others. The book addresses issues including identity, child characteristics, social support, and work. Each chapter includes a review of seminal literature, parents' comments and ideas about the topic, and a discussion of practice, policy, and research implications.

Contents: R.D. Harold, P.S. Bolea, Telling the Family Story: The Backdrop. R.D. Harold, M.L. Palmiter, S.A. Lynch, C.R. Freedman-Doan, J.S. Eccles, Telling the Family Story: The Process. P.S. Bolea, Talking About Identity: Individual, Family, and Intergenerational Issues. C.R. Freedman-Doan, Narratives of Temperament: How Can Children in the Same Family Be So Different? L.G. Colarossi, S.A. Lynch, Tales of Social Support Throughout Family Development. L.R. Mercier, R.D. Harold, Job Talk: The Role of Work in Family Life. L.G. Colarossi, R.D. Harold, L.R. Mercier, Telling the Family Story: Sub-Plots and Next Chapters.