David Cheal Knihy

The second installment of the fascinating back stories behind 50 of the world's best-known and best-loved songs as featured in the FT Weekend's Life of a Song column every Saturday.

The back stories behind 100 of the world's best-known and best-loved songs as featured in the FT Weekend's Life of a Song column every Saturday

Exploring the impact of economic decline, this book delves into the experiences of individuals and nations once thriving but now facing unexpected poverty. It highlights the struggles of those who lose jobs due to downsizing, endure reduced work hours, or face financial crises following relationship breakdowns. The narrative captures the harsh realities of free-falling into poverty without adequate support, emphasizing the emotional and social consequences for families and children caught in this downward spiral.

Covering a wide range of topics in the sociology of family life, this textbook explores themes such as interaction, meaning, and sexuality within families. David Cheal incorporates global perspectives, presenting contemporary studies alongside historical context to illustrate the evolution of family dynamics. The comprehensive approach offers insights into how various cultural backgrounds influence family structures and relationships today.

Examining the significance of gift-giving in contemporary social life, this book highlights its relevance to key sociological theories from Durkheim and Weber to social constructionism. Based on extensive research, it reveals that women play a more prominent role as gift givers than men, illustrating how emotions and interests intertwine within the gift economy. The author connects these insights to broader themes of family, gender, and religion, providing a rich understanding of the rituals surrounding gift exchange in industrial western society.