Joined at the Heart: The Transformation of the American Family
In 2002, Al and Tipper Gore wrote a book about the American family. Here’s a description of JOINED AT THE HEART:
Al and Tipper Gore have long considered family their bedrock. They’ve also spent many years studying the American family in depth, and now, in this provocative and personal book, they explore the myriad ways in which the idea of family is being redefined.
Over the past two generations, cultural shifts and economic pressures have profoundly affected every family in the nation: balancing work and family now poses a bigger challenge than ever before, day-care and after-school child care programs are too often dangerously inadequate, and new technological advancements have dramatically changed the ways we communicate. But if many of the traditional landmarks by which families formerly steered their course have disappeared, change has also opened up exciting possibilities, yiedling an explosion of new familiy forms and novel solutions to age old problems.
In this penetrating and moving exploration of the contemporary family landscape, the Gores share stories drawn form thier own experiences, as well as introduce us to a dozen other families they have come to know over the years. combining personal insight and expert opinions, historical and global perspectives, Joined at the Heart identifies an emerging reality – and demonstrates that, in the face of unprecedented and overwhelming change, the inherent need for famlly is stronger than ever.
I can’t help but wonder if their recent announcement of divorce after 40 years of marriage is going to possibly revive this book. Will people be interested in reading what this once “golden couple” had to say about life and love and the power of relationships? Washington Post journalist, Sally Quinn, wrote a beautiful and honest piece about the Gore’s relationship and the courage and grace they had to end something, amicably and absent of scandal, after 40 years. I think that Tipper Gore should use this time to step into her own spotlight, perhaps write a memoir, about the journey of a successful marriage and its ultimate demise.
