The shelter of each other : rebuilding our families to enrich our lives

“Simple solutions for survival in this family-unfriendly culture...Eye-opening...heart-wrenching and uplifting.”— San Francisco Chronicle Even more resonant today than at its original publication in 1996, The Shelter of Each Other traces the effects of our society’s “anti-family” way of life, where parents are overtaxed, children are undersupervised, and technology is rapidly dictating how we interact. As she did in her number-one bestseller Reviving Ophelia , Mary Pipher illuminates how our families are suffering at the hands of shifting cultural norms, and she snaps our gaze into crisp focus. Drawing on the fascinating stories of families rich and poor, angry and despairing, religious and skeptical, and probing deep into her own family memories and experiences, Pipher clears a path to the strength and energy at the core of family life. Compassionate and heart-wrenching, The Shelter of Each Other is an impassioned call for us to gather our families in our arms and hold on to them for dear life. This Volume Provides A Critique Of Many Of The Values That Currently Define Our Lives, Coupled With Solid Advice For Rebuilding Families. The Author Contends That Technology And Consumerism Have Become The Focus Of Modern Life. Hours Spent Viewing Cable Television Programs And Commercials Not Only Discourage Meaningful Communication Among Family Members, It Also Leaves The Viewers With The Impression That Happiness Can Be Purchased. This, In Turn, Triggers Such A Need For Money That Work--even When Meaningless Or Despised -- Becomes The Individual's Reason To Live. The Author Insists That True Happiness Comes From Meaningful, Ethical Work. She Feels What People Really Need Is Protected Time And Space'' And The Need To Reconnect With One Another And The Outside World. Simple Rituals, Such As Saying Grace At Dinner And Unplugging The Telephone And Television, Can Create Family Time. She Maintains That Most Therapists Only Harm Their Clients By Focusing On Their Particular Neuroses While Ignoring The Negative Impact Of Contemporary Culture, And That Therapists Can Be Most Helpful By Encouraging The Building Of Family Connections, As Well As Links To The Natural World And Community Resources. She Supplements Her Thesis With Case Studies. Introduction -- [pt. 1:] The Crisis. Thirsty In The Rain -- The Page Family -- The Copeland Family -- Then And Now -- One Big Town -- Therapy, The Trojan Horse -- How Therapy Can Help -- The Shelter Of Each Other -- [pt. 2:] The Weight Of This Sad Time. Character -- Will -- Commitment -- [pt. 3:] Solutions : What Will Survive Of Us Is Love. Protecting Families -- Houses With Walls -- Connecting Families -- Creating A Tiospaye. Mary Pipher. A Grosset/putnam Book. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [273]) And Index. "Simple solutions for survival in this family-unfriendly culture. Eye-opening.heart-wrenching and uplifting."--San Francisco Chronicle Even more resonant today than at its original publication twelve years ago, The Shelter of Each Other traces the effects of our society's "anti-family" way of life, where parents are overtaxed, children are undersupervised, and technology is rapidly dictating how we interact. As she did in her number-one bestseller Reviving Ophelia, Mary Pipher illuminates how our families are suffering at the hands of shifting cultural norms, and she snaps our gave into crisp focus. Drawing on the fascinating stories of families rich and poor, angry and despairing, religious and skeptical, and probing deep into her own family memories and experiences, Pipher clears a path to the strength and energy at the core of family life. Compassionate and heart-wrenching, The Shelter of Each Other is an impassioned call for us to gather our families in our arms and hold on to them for dear life "Even more resonant today than at its original publication twelve years ago, The Shelter of Each Other traces the effects of our society's "anti-family" way of life, where parents are overtaxed, children are undersupervised, and technology is rapidly dictating how we interact. As she did in her number-one bestseller Reviving Ophelia, Mary Pipher illuminates how our families are suffering at the hands of shifting cultural norms, and she snaps our gave into crisp focus. Drawing on the fascinating stories of families rich and poor, angry and despairing, religious and skeptical, and probing deep into her own family memories and experiences, Pipher clears a path to the strength and energy at the core of family life. Compassionate and heart-wrenching, The Shelter of Each Other is an impassioned call for us to gather our families in our arms and hold on to them for dear life."--Publisher description Pipher's book, shows how parents can protect their families from what is dangerous, how they can reconnect with the healing strength that is within each family and how to rebuild families by, for example, introducing TV-free days and bringing new family rituals to eating, talking and holidaying together. Originally published in 1996.