Sociology of Family

Family research in the field of sociology addresses patterns of change and variation in family behaviors and household relationships by social class, race/ethnicity, and gender. Topics of study include union formation and dissolution, childbearing, family structure, parenting, and the intersection of work and family.

Students who are interested in family can take courses through Sociology and Policy Analysis and Management (many of which are cross-listed in Sociology), and benefit from resources available through the Cornell Population Center.

Related people

Rachel Dunifon

Professor, Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Dean, Cornell Human Ecology

Daniel T. Lichter

Ferris Family Professor of Policy Analysis and Management, Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Sociology

Kelly Musick

Professor of Public Policy and Sociology, Brooks Senior Associate Dean of Research

Karl Pillemer

Hazel E. Reed Professor of Human Development and Professor of Gerontology in Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine

Sharon Sassler

Professor of Public Policy and Sociology

Laura Tach

Professor of Public Policy and Sociology

Maureen Waller

Professor of Public Policy and Sociology

All research areas

Community and Urban Sociology Computational Social Science Culture Economy and Society Gender Inequality and Social Stratification Methodology Organizations, Work and Occupations Policy Analysis Political Sociology and Social Movements Race, Ethnicity and Immigration Science, Technology and Medicine Social Demography Social Networks Social Psychology Sociology of Education Sociology of Family Sociology of Health and Illness