| | | Acknowledgments | | |
| 1 | | Introduction by Diane F. Alters and Lynn Schofield Clark | | 3 |
| 2 | | The Journey from Postpositivist to Constructivist Methods by Lynn Schofield Clark | | 19 |
| 3 | | Developing a Theory of Media, Home, and Family by Lynn Schofield Clark and Diane F. Alters | | 35 |
| 4 | | The Family in U.S. History and Culture by Diane F. Alters | | 51 |
| 5 | | The Case Studies: An Introduction by Lee Hood and Lynn Schofield Clark and Joseph G. Champ and Diane F. Alters | | 69 |
| 6 | | Being Distinctive in a Mediated Environment: The Ahmeds and the Paytons by Lynn Schofield Clark | | 79 |
| 7 | | At the Heart of the Culture: The Hartmans and the Roelofs by Diane F. Alters | | 103 |
| 8 | | Fitting in with the Media: The Price-Benoits and the Franzes by Lee Hood | | 131 |
| 9 | | "Couch Potatodom" Reconsidered: The Vogels and the Carsons by Joseph G. Champ | | 145 |
| | | Conclusion: The "Intentional and Sophisticated" Relationship by Diane F. Alters and Lynn Schofield Clark | | 171 |
| | | Notes | | 181 |
| | | References | | 187 |
| | | About the Authors | | 203 |
| | | Index | | 205 |