George Ritzer's McDonaldization of Society, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, continues to stand as one of the pillars of modern day sociological thought. By linking theory to 21st century culture, this book resonates with students in a way that few other books do, opening their eyes to many...

Introduction -- The Power of the Illusion, the Way We Never Were -- The Dream Interrupted, Insecurity Among the Middle-Aged -- Privileged Expectations and Insecure Realities -- The Myth of Equal Opportunity -- Negotiating Uncertainty -- Economic Vulnerability as the New Normal.

Passing the torch: an overview -- Thirty years later: educational attainments -- How families fared: the college payoff -- Breaking the cycle of disadvantage: maternal education and children's success -- How college changes a mother's parenting and affects her children's educational outcomes --...