Serving Military Families in the 21st Century (Textbooks in Family Studies) - Tapa dura

"As a former military service member, I can say that this is the first book I have discovered that conveys a true-to-life picture of living the military lifestyle from the perspective of the active duty member, family member, and veteran. Practitioners, researchers and students will derive enormous benefit from the authors’ expertise and insight concerning this unique and dedicated group of men and women." - PsycCRITIQUES

“Our military and their families deserve informed support practices and this volume is the resource for those efforts.  The authors have expertly crafted the most engaging and comprehensive collection of “usable” information on military families ever created. This is an essential read for every course on human services and family studies and for every human services provider.”- Francesca Adler-Baeder, Auburn University, USA

“This book fills an important educational gap and will help students and others gain the understanding they need to be sensitive to the needs of the military families they will encounter in their future work.” -  Joyce Wessel Raezer, National Military Family Association, USA
 
“...A must-have primer for anyone  working with military service members and families. Gaining fluency in military culture and context is an essential first step in being able to effectively serve those who continue to serve us.”  - Angela J. Huebner, Virginia Tech, USA
 
“Without compromise to academic standards the authors succeed at narrating applicable knowledge that will benefit professionals, practitioners and partners of military service personnel as well as soldiers themselves. The book is a good read!” - Rene Moelker, Netherlands Defense Academy, The Netherlands

“This innovative and practical book offers a wide range of topics on military families and is ideal for students and practitioners.  This crucial textbook should be on the desk of every military family therapist!”  - James G. Daley, Indiana University School of Social Work, USA

“...A must-read for mental health professionals, teachers, and others who work with military families. The rich mix of first-person experiences combined with coverage of key issues is superb. I loved the chapters I read.” - Michelle L. Kelley, Old Dominion University, USA

"Serving Military Families in the 21st Century offers a wealth of information about working with military families. I recommend this book as a resource both for behavioral health providers working military families as well as for those interested in beginning to do so." - Dr. Marjorie Weinstock, Center for Deployment Psychology, USA

This text introduces readers to military families, their resilience, and the challenges of military life. Personal stories from active duty, National Guard, reservists, veterans, and their families, from all branches and ranks of the military, and those who work with military personnel, bring their experiences to life. A review of the latest research, theories, policies, and programs better prepares readers for working with military families. Objectives, key terms, tables, figures, summaries, and exercises, including web based exercises, serve as a chapter review. The book concludes with a glossary of key terms.

Engaging vignettes are featured throughout:

· Voices from the Frontline offer personal accounts of issues faced by actual program leaders, practitioners, researchers, policy makers, service members, and their families.

· Spotlight on Research highlights the latest studies on dealing with combat related issues.

· Best Practices review the optimal strategies used in the field.

· Tips from the Frontline offer suggestions from experienced personnel.

The book opens with an introduction to military culture and family life. Joining the military and why people do so are explored in chapter 2. Next, life in the military including relocation, employment, education, and deployment are examined. Daily lives of children in military families are explored in chapter 4. How stress and resilience theories are used in working with military families are then reviewed. Chapter 6 focuses on milestones experienced by service members and programs that support them through these transitions. Everyday issues caused by the trauma of war are reviewed in Chapters 7 and 8. Programs, policies, and organizations that serve military families in dealing with deployment, education, and health and child care are explored in chapters 9 and 10 followed by initiatives supporting reintegration and reunification issues. Next, how to work with families and those who have experienced traumatic events is considered. The book concludes with a review of career opportunities and stories from working professionals.

Intended as a text for advanced undergraduate or graduate courses on military families or as a supplement for courses on the family, marriage and family, stress and coping, or family systems taught in family studies, human development, clinical or counseling psychology, sociology, social work, and nursing, this book also appeals to helping professionals who work with military families.