abortion:A medical procedure used to end a pregnancy.
abuse:An extreme and violent adaptation to a need to control one’s family.
active listening:A communication technique in which each participant in a discussion
repeats what the other said before responding.
affect:The outward expression of emotion.
agape:A Greek word, describing unconditional love, as in commitment.
altruism:Unselfishly giving time, energy, and money to others without expectation of return.
assimilation:A process by which an immigrant fully integrates themselves into the
community.
assisted reproductive technology (ART):Different medical interventions used to assist an
infertile couple in becoming pregnant.
assortative partnering:Choosing a partner based on physical characteristics.
attachment:The physical and psychological connection of an infant to its primary
attachment figure (parent or primary caregiver).
authentic sexuality:Balswick and Balswick’s concept that one must balance the natural sex
drive with sociocultural family teaching about sex and God’s plan for sex.
authoritarian parenting style:Demanding and directive, but not responsive to the child.
authoritative parenting style:Demanding, but in a loving, supportive way.
baby boomer:In a general sense, everyone born between 1946 and 1964.
battered person syndrome:The stages through which a battered person eventually develops
the motivation to leave: denial, guilt, enlightenment, and responsibility.
beat culture:A group of writers, artists, musicians, and other cultural icons who helped to
shape an aesthetic of societal change following World War II.