Press Release

New Book Illustrates the Changing Face of Families Worldwide Washington Event to Celebrate Publication of Families As We Are

Washington, DC-The changes underway in families around the world are far from a "breakdown" of traditional values, but a "renovation" of an institution that constantly adapts to varying social and economic conditions, according to Perdita Huston, author of Families As We Are, Conversations from Around the World, being published on June 10 by the Feminist Press at CUNY.

Noting the influence of democratic and egalitarian ideals on families from vastly different cultures and countries, Ms. Huston says, "The lament over lost family values is essentially a desire to return to a different time, when family and societal structures were rigid and clear. This is neither possible nor desirable."

At the heart of Ms. Huston's book are conversations with dozens of families, spanning three and four generations, from 11 countries, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Japan, Uganda and the United States. Together, their narratives illustrate the confusion and the resilience of families of diverse forms confronted by the electronic age and an increasingly integrated, global economy.

"In an era dominated by AIDS and the Internet, we are desperately in need of genuinely open, informed, and creative debates on housing, health care, employment opportunities, child and elder care policies, and a host of other issues," says Ms. Huston. "My hope is that, by listening carefully to what families themselves say, we will more easily find the ways to help strengthen our own families, communities, and societies to meet the formidable challenge of our common future."

Ms. Huston will be talking about her book at a celebration presented by the Sewall-Belmont House in Washington, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, June 12. Sponsors of the event include Timothy Wirth (The UN Foundation), Vicki Sant (Summit Foundation), Peggy Curlin (Centre for Development and Population Activities), Amy Coen (Population Action International), Catherine Cameron (Wallace Global Fund), Henryck Sokalski (Former UN Coordinator, International Year of the Family - 1994), and The Feminist Press.

Ms. Huston has lived half her adult life abroad and traveled the world as a journalist and writer. Her three previous books include Third World Women Speak Out and Motherhood by Choice. She has worked with the Peace Corps and a number of international organizations and UN agencies.