State intervention in family life is an important and problematic political and social issue, and one which is surrounded by debates of a highly ideological nature. The central theme of this valuable book is that of 'family life' as an object of both social policy interest and welfare intervention. The author applies a sociological perspective on social control to a range of issues exciting public and political debate; amongst them, marriage conciliation, community care, lone parenthood and underclass status, and child abuse.