family-economics

This short, simple book has really made a difference in my life. I always used to get defensive when criticized and immediately try to shoot down the other person, explain myself or rationalize my own behavior. This book showed me why it makes sense to handle criticisim in a different way. (I won't give the skills away here, because Clinard explains them so well in the book. You'll have to read it!) The skills are very simple, and if you can go against your initial reactions to criticism and use these skills, it really works like magic in your interpersonal relationships. WELL worth the (price)!

My Mother-in-law used this book and loaned it to me about 12 years ago. It's the BEST little book I have (yes, with her permission, I've kept it - because, I still NEED it).

Sally Shortall is offering us an intriguing journey to the construction of female identity in modern Europe. Surprisingly though, she has chosen to investigate and argue about a 'forgotten' group of women: farmer-women. Until today most of the research about female identity has been focused either on women in general, or industrial and managerial workers in particular. In both cases the urban setting has received most of our attention. Yet, farm-women are equally, if not a more interesting case. Why? Because they literally marry their job. As soon as a woman becomes the wife of a male farmer, she automatically becomes a farm-woman. No choice is given, no options are available. She is destined to remain in this occupation, helping her husband, raising children, doing all kinds of jobs on the farm, or even managing the farm herself, without the prospect of salary, promotion, or political acknowledgement of her input. It sounds like a pre-modern condition, and this is exactly the case. Farming is a pre-modern institution where power is transfered and held via the custom of premogeniture. The book investigates the historical development of the position of women on farms, while it examines the parallel development of political theories (e.g., Lock, Marx, Weber) vis-a-vis farming in particular and private property in general. Though it is certainly on the side of farm-women, unacknowledged, unpaid, unrepresented, the book does not take an easy ride on the subject. Instead, it ends with a difficult and intriguing question: Having the ability to choose, which condition is better: A family-farm ruled by premogeniture, or a gender-free farm ruled - eventually - by a capitalist corporation? As the title of the book implies, the issue at stake is power, yet the answer is not an easy one.

One of the best histories of the industrialization of Mexico I've ever read ... the case studies are brillant & fascinating. Very relevant for anyone interested in women's studies and labor issues in Mexico.

The work and family challenge: rethinking employment is a welcome publication for anybody who is a researcher in the area of work-family. Edited by Suzan and Jermey Lewis, the book is spilt in 3 parts. Part 1 deals with the context for change and puts employment and work/family issues within a european perspective. Chapter 2 by Peter Moss (Reconciling Employment and Family Responsibilities: A European Perspective) is of particular note. Moss provides an interesting an analysis of the way in which the EU and European memeber stated has approached the problem of reconciling work and home. Part 2 deals with policy and practice and presents work on the implementation of work-home policies. Of particular interest to me was chapter 4 (The Family Friendly Employer in Europe) and chapter 8 (Developing and Implementing policies: Midland Bank's Experience). Part 3 concerns barriers to the effectiveness of policies and strategies

Catherine Hakim has written extensively on the subject of women and work. In her newest book she approaches this broad and complex subject by means of what she calls "preference theory". In a nutshell, this theory holds that contemporary western women are not at all united on these issues. Instead, they have a wide variety of preferences, preferences which must be taken into account by policy-makers.

Hakim offers four main tenets of preference theory: First, she says there have been five historical social changes which have led to a new scenario for women and their work choices: a. The 60's contraceptive revolution which gave women control over their fertility. b. The equal opportunities revolution, giving women equal access to the labour market. c. The rise of white-collar work, which tends to be more appealing to women. d. The creation of jobs for secondary work, where career is not the number one priority. e. The rising importance of preferences, choices and lifestyle options in affluent societies.

Second, women have many different preferences when it comes to work. In particular, there are three idealised preferences most women have: a. Home centered preferences (about 20% of women). b. Work centered preferences (about 20%). c. Adoptive (a combination of work and home) preferences (about 60%).

Third, these different preferences result in conflicts between different types of women. Men, on the other hand, are much more homogenous in their preferences, and thus have an advantage over the heterogeneous women. As a result, for many women, much conflict tends to arise because of these diverse preferences.

Fourth, the diversity of women's preferences means that public policy needs to be more diverse, catering to the different needs and desires of women, instead of trying to aim for just one approach.

Using this four-fold approach to questions of female work and lifestyle choices, she offers an incisive and thought-provoking analysis which will offer much to all sides of the debate. That is, both conservatives and feminists may need to readjust their agendas, in the light of this growing body of research.

One of the major conclusions of this research is that women clearly do not have one view on the issue of work and home, but many. Therefore, social policy should be flexible enough to meet the various preferences women in fact have. Policies should not seek to force women into some predetermined mould. Thus, if some women want to stay at home, and eschew the paid workplace, then government policies should recognise and accept those preferences. Indeed, research seems to indicate that, for various reasons, only a minority of women will want, and will reach, the top positions of power in the workforce.

Contrary to much feminist rhetoric, many women prefer either part-time work or no paid work at all. Not every women is chafing at the bits to flee the home for a life as a career woman. Certainly some are however. So government policy should cater for such divergence of interests and desires. And research makes it clear that this diversity of preferences will remain strong.

Thus if governments want to really honour the diversity of women in their choices, they should create policies which maximise choice, and forego coercive policies designed to create a pre-determined end. In this respect Hakim suggests that governments might adopt a kind of home-makers' allowance, available to all women. This should be available to all mothers for three years or more after each birth, irrespective of their employment record.

The importance of Hakim's thesis cannot be underestimated. The "one-size-fits-all" approach of many western governments (usually a feminist version of things) to questions of women and work tend to be restrictive and coercive. They just do not take into account the many real differences women have on the issue. Hakim's work shows us that women, like men, are not all of one piece, are not all cut from the same cloth. There is a wide-array of diversity and differences of opinion about the relationships between work, home, family, and other choices. Governments need to respect such diversity. This book is an important contribution to that end.

This is one of two "required reading" texts for my clients and the transactional advisors who assist me in my own family busines practice. I've not found anything else as informative, insightful and helpful regarding "working with the ones you love." Great exercises that are readily accepted even by the more skeptical family members. Family businesses have told me they've found this helpful even when for fee or geographic reasons--my practice is limited to the Central Valley--I've referred them to this book in lieu of meeting with them personally.

I really enjoyed this book . The author`s simplified approach to finances is very refreshing. I believe that the author has some excellent strategies for rebuilding anyone`s financial future . I especially liked the chapters on investing ... the way the author explains his strategies so that anyone can understand . I have already begun putting his strategies to work in my life . I would highly recommend this title .

Dave Ramsey presents some very good information and IF most people appled it they could indeed create Financial Peace. The truth is as Dave says on page 271, "..Reading this book and obtaining knowledge is good, BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH." Over 7 trillion dollars in consumer debt has families struggling with not only money but with time. They need a system that takes less than an hour a month, which is about all of the time and energy they have to break free. Dave certainly has the heart of his reader in mind when he wrote the book.

If you're sick and tired of living from paycheck to paycheck, Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace is an excellent guide of learning how to manage your money. Dave's teachings are Christian-based and emphasize learning to budget, getting and staying out of debt, bargain shopping, and ultimately accumulating enough wealth to retire with peace of mind.

My wife and I first became aware of Dave's teachings through his syndicated radio program. Since we have been following his teachings, we have learned to live on less than we make and have managed to pay off over $12,000 of debt in only 8 months.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is struggling to keep their finances in order. I have also given several copies of this book as graduation and wedding presents.

This is the best book I have ever seen on personal finance. It is easy to read and uses entertaining anecdotes to keep the reader interested.

So much of the world of personal finance is dominated by people and institutions selling financial products. Ramsey calls for people to be cautious about financial products in favor of simply living on less than they earn and paying down debts. When a salesperson approaches us and says "May I help you?" we prepare ourselves to talk to someone who is trying to sell us something. With financial products, especially debt, people are often too eager to be sold. I think it's rare to hear this point of view because a lot of the information we get about personal finance flows from lending institutions. Think of this book as the other side of the story.

This book gives hard-to-find advice about how to deal with financial emergencies. There's a whole other side to the unctuous, friendly-sounding credit card offers that are so common-- they lend money to people who cannot afford it. When people cannot pay, they sell the accounts to bill collectors who try to get people to put their obligations ahead of basic necessities by using lies, obscenities, threats, insults, and any other tricks they can think of. Where else do you read about this?

As other reviews have pointed out, Ramsey has an abrasive personality and right-wing political views. I totally disagree with his right-wing values, but he doesn't spend enough time on them to detract from the valuable personal finance information.

Another criticism is that Ramsey uses his "ministry" as an advertising vehicle for the very financial institutions he's criticizing. He claims that institutions that he endorses operate by his principles. I doubt, however, that he is picky about his endorsements, so follow Ramsey's advice from this book-- be skeptical about financial products, even ones he endorses on the radio.

I highly recommend this book. It can be easily understood by someone without a high school education and no experience with money. It has advice aimed at helping such a person with financial problems. At the same time, it has equally valuable advice for someone with an advanced education and high-paying job. High-income people often feel pressure to live an affluent lifestyle at the expense of other priorities. This book is a good antidote to that pressure.

I wouldn't recommend this book if someone is trying to do the right thing and wants to truly make a difference in other people's lives. If you are looking to make it to the top and don't really care who you manipulate to get there, this is the book to read. Don't expect to make friends by using this book. To make friends, you don't always have to agree with someone, or be perky all the time, just be you.
Carnegie's heart may be in the right place as far as some of the principles go. He has a point, if we are good to other people, they will be good to us in return. At least that is how it should work. The thing he never addresses, is that this isn't always true. Sometimes no matter how hard we try, things don't get better, and some really great people never make it to the top. I think he should at least make it known that this isn't fool-proof, and that sometimes people don't appreciate others no matter what is said or done.
The most important thing about this book is that Carnegie makes us think. It does make a person stop and think about how they are acting towards others.
I came up with my own principle after reading this book. It has really nothing to do with the book itself, but rather what I think he left out... To be a true influence on others, be real, be kind, and be respectful. If you do those things you will touch lives every day. To make friends and be a true influence, do just one thing, be genuine.

What can't I say about this book?! I first read How to Win Friends and Influence People five years ago. I have made it practice to read it at least once a year now in the hopes that some day I may actually assimilate the incredible wealth of material included in the pages. Listen, there are a ton of self-help and motivational books out there, but this one isn't like all the rest: it is the forefather to all of them! I have to be honest when I say that this book has had a profound impact on my life and my way of thinking. It is timeless, priceless, and seems to get better with age. I hold no reservation or hesitation in recommending that you not only put one of these on your shelf, but that you read it over, and over, and over again.

Reviewed by: James L. Clark, MBA, MSc., PhD Candidate (Leadership) is a serial entrepreneur, lecturer, and consultant. He is the author of the book Wading Through the Crap: How to Start Living the Successful Life You Have Always Wanted (ISBN 0972697551) that has received rave review.

To my mind, sincerity and deference are at the core of Carnegie's advice, which I find to be quintessentially Taoist in character. Well-researched and occasionally even tear-jerking, this is one of the most engrossing books I've ever read. I highly recommend the audio version as well. The narrator is the best I've heard, with a tone that carries the intamcy of a fireside chat, and an inflection that communicates a emotional connection to the work.

Despite its esteem, I ignorantly passed over this book for years because the title gave me the impression that it described ways to manipulate people's feelings in order to further one's business/financial career. Carnegie takes care to periodically remind us that the practice only becomes a tool for manipulating others when people employ it insincerely. When his or her efforts are neither manufactured nor contrived, the successful Carnegie student displays grace, diplomacy, poise, and deference (wit sold separately).