About the book: This collection of essays represents some of the most important recent research into changing patterns of family, household and community life. As well examining the experiences of childhood and parenting, it analyses the changing circumstances of young people as they develop their own family and household trajectories, ones which are markedly different to those typically followed by their parents. In addition, the book includes chapters concerned with adaption to other types of change in domestic and community living, including relocation and retirement. Bringing together some of the leading sociologists in the field to explore how these informal social relationships change over time and the life course, it will be essential reading on courses concerned with the family and youth sociology