FAMILY THEORY AND RESEARCH IN GREAT-BRITAIN

This paper argues that the development of family research and theory i n Great Britain has been strengthened by the fluidity of boundaries be tween various disciplines and methodologies employed in the explanatio n of family life. Indeed, changes in the definition of family have bee n at the heart of the diversity and fluidity characteristic of the stu dy of family, Studies of economic issues, gender and class distinction s, and family processes have involved various perspectives in research and theory building. Future directions for research suggest the need to explore linkages between British scholars and the wider community o f family scholars, topics related to family morality or obligation, fu rther development of qualitative and quantitative methods in family re search, and continued exchanges between scholars and policy makers.