Public and Private Families: An Introduction devotes equal attention to the public aspects of family life, such as law, social policy and, social inequality, and the private aspects, such as intimate relations, cohabitation, marriage, and the division of labor in the home. The text discusses the meaning of family, how it has evolved and how it continues to evolve, from both private and public perspectives. Andrew Cherlin guides students through an exploration of the history of families around the world, prompting critical and sociological thinking. 

Public and Private Families: An Introduction defines the private family as a personal space, where we live most of our personal lives, while the public family is where we deal with broader societal issues and challenges. Public and private families are studied through the lenses of gender, race, ethnicity, and social class. Students explore the impact that society, the workplace, and public policy have on the family and family structures.