Concepts of families and issues surrounding them are discussed in this paper. The inseparability of the issues of sexism and racism in concepts of families is examined. Then a historical basis for concepts of families in this country and internationally is presented with an emphasis on concepts of families held in the United States on both majority and minority families. The author then turns to a discussion of concepts held about women's roles in families as they relate to policies and the fields of practice within social work. Traditional and current concepts are discussed. A section of the paper presents recent poll results and recommendations made by the White House Conferences on Families. The author concludes with an examination of the role of social work in the support of women as family members and as professionals. (MK)