This introductory article underlines the conceptual and normative redefinitions of the family that are related to critical changes of this institution and to new family configurations. From this perspective, links are traced between the various articles published in this issue of Enfances, Familles, Générations. From different angles, they all refer to aspects of social reproduction accomplished through essential family functions (procreation, caring, education, socialisation…) that are also a concern for the State and many other social actors in civil society. Various topics are being discussed: the sociology of the family, the social movement for a family policy, homoparental families, medicallyassisted procreation, the concept of family income, the legal framework for marital and de facto conjugal unions, the attraction of new families in rural areas.

• family
• social construction
• same-sex families
• conjugal union

https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/efg/2011-n15-efg030/1008142ar/