Strong Families Around the World: An Introduction to the Family Strengths Perspective John DeFrain Sylvia M. Asay SUMMARY. The family is one of society’s oldest and most resilient in- stitutions. Although the structure of the family may vary around the world, the value of family endures. Most of the research on families, his- torically speaking, has focused primarily on the problems or weaknesses of families. Over the past three decades, researchers have studied fami- lies from a strengths-based perspective. Around the world researchers have found that families are amazingly similar. The similarities point to a set of qualities that describe the characteristics of strong families. These qualities are showing appreciation and affection, commitment, positive communication, enjoyable times together, spiritual well-being, and the ability to manage stress and crisis effectively. Twenty-two prop- ositions have also been suggested that have relevance in how we look at families in general. The information has relevance and purpose and should serve to inform and expand our thinking about families. The information may have significance to some specific areas and particular fields, especially to the areas of family services, family education, mar- ital and family therapy, and social policy. doi:10.1300/J002v41n01_01 [Haworth co-indexing entry note]: “Strong Families Around the World: An Introduction to the Family Strengths Perspective.” DeFrain, John and Sylvia M. Asay. Co-published simultaneously in Marriage & Family Review (The Haworth Press, Inc.) Vol. 41, No. 1/2, 2007, pp. 1-10; and: Strong Families Around the World: Strengths-Based Research and Perspectives (ed: John DeFrain, and Sylvia M. Asay) The Haworth Press, Inc., 2007, pp. 1-10. Single or multiple copies of this article are available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service [1-800-HAWORTH, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (EST). E-mail address: docdelivery@haworthpress.com]. Available online at http://mfr.haworthpress.com  2007 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1300/J002v41n01_01 1