In the 1980s families other than those made up of the natural mother, father, and siblings were increasing in number. Originally published in 1988, this book looks at these 'alternative' families and considers the psychological and social consequences of growing up in a family where the genetic link between parents and children is missing or incomplete. The authors discuss adoption, fostering, stepfamilies, and parenthood by donor insemination, as well as such areas as 'womb-leasing' and homosexual parenthood, considered controversial at the time. A recurring theme is whether, when, and what to tell children of their extrafamilial origins, and how they and other family members react to the knowledge.

Families with a Difference is a comprehensive new analysis of the changing nature of family life in western society which, in the aftermath of the influential Warnock Report in 1984, would have been important reading for students and professionals in social policy, social work, psychology, and the social aspects of medicine.