“A large and ambitious project....needs a more sophisticated theoretical framework capable of supporting what amounts to a 'grand narrative' of families around the globe.”

  - Gerald Cradock, University of Windsor, Canada

Gerald Cradock's review of Reading History Sideways

Cradock, G. Review of Reading History Sideways: the Fallacy and Enduring Impact of the Developmental Paradigm on Family Life by Arland Thornton. Canadian Journal of Sociology Online September-October 2006.

The full review may be found on the Canadian Journal of Sociology Online site.

Publication details for Reading History Sideways: The Fallacy and Enduring Impact of the Developmental Paradigm on Family Life.
Reading History Sideways book cover

© 2008
Developmental Idealism Studies
Population Studies Center
University of Michigan

Recent Events

The Developmental Idealism Studies Group presented 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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