A sociological analysis of family life in three 'settler'societies: Australia, New Zealand and Canada. We think of our family life as very personal, but in fact it isshaped by influences well beyond our control. Families, Labour andLove identifies the ways in which family and personal life inthree 'settler' societies - Australia, New Zealand and Canada -has been shaped by colonisation, immigration, globalisation, demographic changes, law and policy. Baker shows that these three countries, each a former colony, developed similar family trends and similar family policies. Stronglygendered patterns of paid and unpaid work played a major role in familylife. The family practices of indigenous people were largelyoverlooked, as were those of recent immigrant groups. However localconditions also produced significant differences in family experiencesamong the three countries. Richly illustrated with examples, comparative data and textualsources, Families, Labour and Love provides a broad-ranginganalysis of the family which will appeal to students, researchers andpolicy-makers. Maureen Baker outlines with great clarity the diversity of familiesand the way in which they are shaped by historical and cultural forces. The focus on Australia, New Zealand and Canada is not only refreshingbut throws into sharp relief the impact on contemporary families of thecolonial experience, industrialisation, large scale immigration andglobalisation. | Families Labour and Love by Maureen Baker, Hardcover | Indigo Chapters