This book concentrates on ways in which families influence their children's careers, especially on the barriers families may wittingly or unwittingly construct on the children's path toward satisfying work lives. The book is divided into five parts, each of which builds upon the previous ones. The chapters in Part One define what hand-me-down dreams are, describe how they're passed on cyclically in all families, and illustrate how and why career-related problems arise in some. Part Two begins by explaining generally how family members are connected emotionally as a system, then moves on to specific topics, such as the influence of sibling order and gender on family "job assignments,""triangles" among family members and their impact on career selection, and what happens when adults rebel against or cut off their parents. Part Three illustrates how one's family values and beliefs regarding the purpose of work, the meaning of success, and the importance of money contribute to career problems when they constrict one's goals or block one from taking risks and coping with change. The chapters in Part Four function as a workbook, enabling the reader to apply the general knowledge presented in the book about family influences on careers to the reader's unique family background and individual career path. Part Five invites the reader to look ahead to the future of his or her career, and, for parents, to that of their children's careers. Part Five also invites readers to take into account workplace trends. One appendix offers advice on how and when to seek professional support, and another recommends 43 resources for additional reading on career development, family relationships, and workplace trends. (KC)