Cornell Stories: Social Sciences
Liz Peters leads a multidisciplinary exploration of the evolving family.
Liz Peters
Families are complex phenomena. Some dance rhythmically for generations. Others dismantle at conception. How families work isn't fully understood -- but patterns and answers are emerging steadily, thanks in part to Liz Peters.
"The Evolving Family project is addressing some of the biggest social issues in the family," says Liz Peters, chairperson of the Institute for Social Sciences' interdisciplinary theme project. "There are emerging family types, and these differences in family structure may impact the well-being of women, men, and children. They influence issues like health, education, and other types of human capital...the very issues that determine our quality of life."
Researchers in the Evolving Family project have developed several important insights about the family -- including evidence that fatherhood may influence men at the physical level. They also are transforming the familiar "nature vs. nurture" debate, revealing that the truth is far more nuanced: an intricate combination of genetic factors and environmental influences. This confluence supports the growing partnership between biologists and social scientists who work together to understand behavior and influence social policies.
"The Evolving Family project has capitalized on interdisciplinary expertise and diverse perspectives to address sensitive issues like marriage, fatherhood, growing up in today's nontraditional families, and the role of biology in human behavior," says Peters. "The creation of a population center -- at some point -- will provide the critical infrastructure necessary to continue this research."