Developmental Idealism Imagery

The images presented on these pages portray individuals, families, communities, social organizations, and cultural and historical symbols from a range of societies around the world. Our images include historical portrayals from the artists of Europe in the 1500s and 1600s and from the photographers of America in the late 1800s. We also include recent photos from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. We portray several different slices of family and community life: wedding celebrations; village festivals; family agriculture; widowhood; courtship; the birth of children; grandparenting; caring for sick children; religious worship; and museum displays. We also portray some of the forces for social change, including schools, technological innovations, family planning programs, Christian churches, international organizations, revolutionary movements, and new consumption aspirations. Finally, we picture interviewers collecting information about the lives and ideas of families and individuals.

Images from this site may not be reused for any purpose
without express written permission.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Turkish leader

© 2008
Developmental Idealism Studies
Population Studies Center
University of Michigan

Upcoming Events

The Developmental Idealism Studies Group will present their paper on "Processes and Methods for Creating Questions and Protocols for an International Study of Ideas about Development and Family Life" at 3MC, Berlin, June 2008.

Book Award

Arland Thornton's book Reading History Sideways wins the William J. Goode Book Award of the ASA Section on the Sociology of the Family.

New Data Collection

Developmental Idealism questionnaire supplements added to May and November 2007 Surveys of Consumer Attitudes.

Reading History Sideways

The method of reading history sideways is described and critiqued by Arland Thornton.


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