Putting the Family First

Name: Putting the Family First
Brand: Taylor & Francis

Taylor & Francis

Putting the Family FirstIdentities, decisions, citizenship\nAuthor(s): Bill Jordan, Marcus Redley, Simon James\nFormat: Hardback\nPublisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd, United Kingdom\nImprint: Routledge\nISBN-13: 9781032221175, 978-1032221175\nSynopsis\nFirst published in 1994, Putting the Family First is a study of better-off couples that clarifies the relationship between individualism and family values. Partners cultural practices focus on \""making something of themselves\"", being \""supportive\"" of each other, and spending \""quality time\"" with children. But their economic strategies are directed towards competition for positional goods, especially higher education and good jobs for their offspring. The authors argue that, although these strategies are rational for individual families, they are collectively wasteful and mutually frustrating, and construct a narrow and exclusive version of citizenship. Such private morality depletes civic culture, and is socially costly. \n\nThis re.