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Research Interests:

Families in later life; Intergenerational relationships; Mate selection; Family science pedagogy; Professional issues in family science; Bahamian family life 

Service Interests:

Family life education programming (e.g., marriage preparation and enrichment) for churches and communities

• Department of Human Development & Family Science Virginia Tech - Blacksburg, VA

• Dynamics of Family Interaction (HDFS 339)
• Sociology of Aging (GERO 232)
• Strategies of Family Life Education (HDFS 442)
• Opportunities in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS 099)
• Introduction to Interpersonal Relationships (HDFS 142)

How I Found my Niche:

As an undergrad Behavioral Science major, I took a smattering of sociology and psychology classes, but when I enrolled in my first family science course, I knew that I had found my disciplinary niche. I absolutely love the content of the family science field, as well as the unique perspectives and skills that it offers to professionals whose aim is to enhance the well-being of individuals and their families. I actually relish the opportunity to read about topics like marriages, family relationships, interpersonal dynamics, and cross-cultural family experiences. It is also exciting to see the breadth of career opportunities available to students with an academic preparation in Human Development and Family Science. What greater calling can there be than to help people live committed and fulfilling lives within their families?

Hobbies:

Antiquing, Walking/exercising; Writing; Spending time with my family

Family:

Married to Jeff Hamon since 1982; Have a daughter, Eliana (born in 2002)

Select Recent Publications:

• Hamon, R. R., & Smith, S. R. (2017). Family science as translational science: A history of the discipline. Family Relations, 1-18. doi: 10.1111/fare.12273
• Smith, S. R., & Hamon, R. R. (2017). Exploring family theories (4th ed.). NY: Oxford University Press.
• Hamon, R. R., & Bull, K. S. (2016). “What do you have to offer me?”: A relationship building activity for demonstrating social exchange theory. Family Science Review, 21, 26-40.
• Hamon, R. R. (2016). Conflict theory. In C. L. Shehan (Ed.) The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies (Vol. I, pp. 419-423). West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
• Hamon, R.R. (2016). Family science. In C. L. Shehan (Ed.) The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies (Vol. II, pp. 763-768). West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
• Hamon, R. R., & Smith, S. R. (2014). The discipline of family science and the continuing need for innovation, Family Relations, 63, 309-322. DOI: 10.1111/fare.12068
• Karasik, R.J., Hamon, R.R, Writz, J., & Reddy, A.M. (2014). Two thumbs up: Using popular films in introductory aging courses. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 35, 86-113.
  
• Boyd-Soisson, E.F., & Hamon, R.R. (2007). Helping family science students make themselves more marketable: Identifying and developing the skills employers want. National Council on Family Relations’ FAMILY FOCUS, 55 (3), 15-16.
• Sherif Trask, B., & Hamon, R.R. (Eds.). (2007). Cultural diversity and families: Expanding perspectives. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Hamon, R. R. (Ed.). (2006). International family studies: Developing curricula and teaching tools. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.
• Hamon, R. R., & Ingoldsby, B. B. (Eds.). (2003). Mate selection across cultures. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Current Project(s): 

• Smith, S.R., Hamon, R.R., & Berke, D. Marriages, Families and Relationships. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.