Different forms of consensual nonmonogamy, such as polyamory and swinging, have achieved greater prominence in daily conversation and representation in mass media. Although advocates recognize that the presence of additional people creates difficulties, the author argues that this greater complexity may lead to unavoidable instability. Drawing from classic work by Georg Simmel as well as modern research in the social sciences, James K. Beggan considers how the presence of a third person is what allows the formation of coalitions which then become part of the process that can break apart the triad. This paradox—explained with reference to game theory and social interdependence—represents the existential threat to the quest for consensual nonmonogamy. Beggan describes how psychological processes involving social comparison and gender and sexual orientation can limit the formation of certain types of coalitions which, in turn, influence which relationships can be expected to emerge in the context of consensual nonmonogamy. His analysis includes macro-level social issues related to establishing consensual nonmonogamy as a valid social identity and alternative to conventional marriage. Using insights from game theory, he suggests possible meta-solutions to coalition conflicts that emerge in triadic romantic and sexual relationships.

In Love and Freedom, Jorge Ferrer proposes a paradigm shift in how romantic relationships are conceptualized, a step forward in the evolution of modern relationships. In the same way that the transgender movement surmounted the gender binary, Ferrer defines how a parallel step can—and should—be taken with the relational style binary. This book offers the first systematic discussion of relationship modes beyond monogamy and polyamory, as well as introduces the notion of “relational freedom” as the capability to choose one’s relational style free from biological, psychological, and sociocultural conditionings. To achieve these goals, Ferrer first discusses a number of critical categories—specifically, monopride/polyphobia, and polypride/monophobia—that mediate the contemporary “mono–poly wars,” that is, the predicament of mutual competition among monogamists and polyamorists. The ideological nature of these “mono–poly wars” is demonstrated through a review of available empirical literature on the psychological health and relationship quality of monogamous and polyamorous individuals and couples. Then, after showing how monogamy and polyamory ultimately reinforce each other, Ferrer articulates three relational pathways to living in-between, through, and beyond the mono/poly binary: fluidity, hybridity, and transcendence. Moving beyond that binary opens a fuzzy, liminal, and multivocal relational space that Ferrer calls novogamy. In this groundbreaking book, readers will learn practical tools to not only transform jealousy, but also enhance their relational freedom while being aware of key issues of diversity and social justice. They will also learn novel criteria to evaluate the success of their intimate relationships, and be introduced to a transformed vision of romantic love beyond both monocentrism and emerging polynormativities.

The unique contribution of The Decisions to Open a Relationship: To Three or Not to Three is how James K. Beggan considers the social and psychological processes involved in how someone makes the decision to transition from a monogamous to a consensually nonmonogamous relationship. Informed by extensive research drawn from sociology, psychology, and the decision-making literature, Beggan provides a comprehensive analysis of processes associated with expressing the desire to open a previously closed romantic relationship, with special emphasis on the unique dynamics of the triad. His analysis provides valuable insights into managing jealousy, maintaining trust, and establishing healthy boundaries. He examines moral issues associated with breaking the promise of a monogamous relationship to satisfy goals related to personal growth. The book addresses issues related to intersectionality that involve sexual orientation, gender identity, and race.

This book is a detailed examination of parental authority: what justifies and what are the proper limits of a parent’s authority over her children? Dennis Arjo focuses on and criticizes attempts to answer these and related questions in the context of liberal philosophy of education. He also offers an alternative framework for thinking about parental authority that draws on recent philosophical work in Virtue Ethics, Care Ethics, and Confucianism that challenges some of the assumptions of contemporary liberal theory. This book will be of interest to philosophers working in ethics, political philosophy and philosophy of education.

Using a mixed-method approach, Unintended Consequences of Human Actions documents a wide range of unintended and unanticipated consequences of human actions. The major message is the urgent need to review a range of possible outcomes of human actions. During these fragile times 'looking down the road' has become imperative.

For the last twenty-thousand years, dogs and people have shared a unique bond in the animal kingdom. In How Our Love of Dogs Creates Social Conflict, James K. Beggan uses symbolic interaction to examine the meaning that dogs have for people as friends and family members. Although many animal rights advocates express dismay over the subordinate status ownership implies, the author argues that ownership creates a powerful psychological connection that makes it easier for people to imbue dogs with humanlike characteristics. Beggan outlines how dogs’ sensitivity to inequity, in combination with a high degree of cognitive capacity, makes it possible for dogs to be active agents in creating conflict between people. The author's analysis of social conflict between people over their dogs connects to profound philosophical concepts about the nature of mind, the relationship between humans and animals, and the moral responsibility human beings have to dogs and other animals.

Identical Twins explores the unique status of twinship and how it can affect personal and familial relationships with siblings, romantic partners, and friends. Drawing from the rich qualitative data from over one hundred interviews, Joleen Loucks Greenwood shares the benefits and challenges associated with the experience of being an identical twin and discusses ways in which all social relationships are positively and negatively impacted by this dynamic. This book is a must-read for family scholars, such as family sociologists who study family and sibling relationships as well as psychologists who focus on personal and social relationships, as well as anyone interested in the study of identical twins.

Until recently, domestic violence, as it has been referred to, was a problem to be dealt with inside the family. In this ground-breaking work, Hattery's unique approach provides a detailed theoretical discussion of race, class, and gender-effects on intimate partner violence and a thoughtful discussion of the interactions of these factors.

The family remains the most contested institution in American society. How Families Matter: Simply Complicated Intersections of Race, Gender, and Work explores the ways adults make sense of their family lives in the midst of the complicated debates generated by politicians and social scientists. Given the rhetoric about the family, this book is a well overdue account of family life from the perspective of families themselves. The purpose of this book is to provide the reader with a whole view of different types of families. The chapters focus on contemporary issues such as who do we consider to be a part of our family, can anyone achieve family-life balance, and how do families celebrate when they get together? Relying on stories shared by a racially/ethnically diverse group of forty-six families, this book finds that parents and siblings cultivate a family identity that both defines who they are and influences who they become. It is a welcomed installment to conversations about the family, as families are finally viewed within a single study from a multicultural lens.

Kids These Days critically examines the hottest news stories of the past few years to assess whether the news is really as bad as it sounds. Is kidnapping by strangers really a bigger threat now than in the past? Are disputes at school now settled with guns instead of fists? And are kids, especially girls, becoming bigger bullies than ever before? This book dissects the stories that made headlines and explores overall trends and statistics to compare the hype to the reality. The truth is that kids today do face unique obstacles and challenges, but their situation isn't nearly as dire as the compelling news accounts would have us believe. Rather, the author proposes that our nation's youth have been targeted as a problem population to absolve adult responsibility for creating the often dangerous and difficult conditions many young people must deal with.