This book examines the challenges families commonly face during the life course, with special emphasis on decisions concerning aging family members. These issues are explored in the context of the family in a post-tradtional society.

Ronald J. Angel is Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin.

Jacqueline L. Angel is Professor in the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin.

1. Changing Intergenerational Family Dependence: A Difficult Famoly Decision 2. The Ties that Bind? Changing Family Options: A Long Way from Ozzie and Harriet 3. Socializing the Financial Support of the Elderly: Who Pays for Care at the End of Life? 4. Manufactured Risk and Reproductive Technology: There are Many Ways to Have a Baby 5. Where Will We Put Mimi?: When Family Members Do Not Agree 6. Mandatory Support of Aging Parents: A Moral Obligation 7. Respect for Autonomy: Difficult Decisions Concerning Medical Care: Who Decides When Treatment is Useless? 8. Family Decisons at the End of Life: Une mort très douce 9. Physician Assisted Death: I Am the Master of My Fate 10. Civil Society and the Family: If You Can't Be with the One You Love... 11. The Future of Intergenerational Solidarity: Families Caring for an Aging America