The Way We Really Are

“Coontz’s book should offer reassurance to people in every kind of family muddling through every stressful stage.”—New York Times

“Dr. Coontz’s unparalleled ability to put our angst over families into a deep and compassionate context makes this a worthwhile read.”—Wall Street Journal

“A virtuoso performance.”—Women's Review of Books

“Coontz’s refreshingly grounded perspective encourages the development of a broader social intelligence that would enable us to move beyond, for example, simpleminded scapegoating of the single welfare mother, coming up with social policies that truly assist more of us in improving our lives.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Meticulously researched and annotated, this coolly reasoned study defines the way we live today, tells us how to make the most of what we have, and offers no easy solutions.”—Publishers Weekly

"I recommend this book to anyone who is concerned with the state of the American family or who is in one."—Carol Tavris, author of Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me)

“This principled and passionate book deserves to be read and heeded.”—Ellis Cose, author of The Envy of the World

“On questions concerning the contemporary family, there is no authority I trust more than Stephanie Coontz. She provides evenhanded analysis of the most hotly contested issues of our day in a work that is a pleasure to read.”—Deborah Anna Luepnitz, author of Schopenhauer's Porcupines

“You'll like this book. It tells you...that you're really okay and doing the best job you can.”—Linda Ellerbee, journalist