Pioneering Paths in the Study of Families

Abstract

Steinmetz, S. K., & Peterson, G. W. (Eds.). (2002). Pioneering Paths in the Study of Families. New York: Haworth Press, 906 pp. Paperback ISBN: 0-7890-2088-2, $89.95. Life must be understood backward [although] it must be lived forward-Soren Kierkegaard cited by Michael Lamb, (p. 121). Pioneering Paths in the Study of Families, assembled in four sections with advance commentary by the editors, consists of brief autobiographies of 40 family scholars. The editors selected scholars in their early, middle, or late careers who had been instrumental in developing research on a particular topic, who were active in research, and who represented a diverse range of specialties (Steinmetz, personal communication, July 8, 2003). The book is not the first attempt in this arena (see Kaslow, 1990; Sigel & Brody, 1990), but it is certainly the most in depth to date. Some of the same scholars provided autobiographies in the earlier collections (e.g., Pauline Boss, David Olson), whereas other key leaders in the field were not included (e.g., John Gottman, Charles Figley), and still others were asked but declined the opportunity (Steinmetz, personal communication, July 8, 2003). Having reviewed all of the autobiographies, I am humbled by the variety and richness of the life experiences of so many of my colleagues. From an overall viewpoint, there are many lessons revealed among these life stories. First, the career paths of these scholars were anything but linear. My count suggests that no more than a quarter of the scholars had the standard life path: majoring at the undergraduate level in a social science, going to graduate school and completing a doctorate, and then immediately hiring on as an assistant professor in a social science or family studies department. The most successful appear to have moved from one major program to another, especially after obtaining a Ph.D. Although it appears that there was some risk of political crossfire in switching universities, most of these scholars benefited more from the intellectual stimulation of interfacing daily with more great minds than they lost from making political enemies. A nearly unanimous theme for most of the scholars, especially the women, was the problem of balancing work and family life across life and professional career cycles. It seemed that having a supportive spouse was essential to success, whether that spouse supported as a colleague who helped with publications, as a wage earner who reduced economic worries, or as a caring parent who helped shoulder the responsibilities of child care. Contrary to what some might expect, the marriages of these scholars were far more successful than not, with no more than a third divorcing. Even then, it appeared that the remarriages of most were successful. Many attributed much of their lives' happiness to their spouses. One of the goals of the project was to allow scholars to link their current research interests with early family, educational, and occupational interests (Steinmetz, personal communication, July 8, 2003). It appeared that most of the scholars had happy childhoods and that their parents encouraged them academically and motivated them to be concerned about the welfare of others. However, so much of what occurred to each of the scholars was, on the surface at least, random; it was difficult to identify much else. Many interests were determined or at least encouraged by the availability of grants or fellowships. The one name that kept occurring as a valuable mentor, especially with respect to family theory and critical thinking, was that of Reuben Hill. …