Family science is similar to psychology and sociology in that the focus is on understanding and improving lives, but is less well known than those disciplines because it is a relatively new scientific perspective. The family science perspective is unique in its emphasis on the role intimate and family relations play in shaping human experiences. Using this close relationships approach, students majoring in family science learn about issues such as marriage and relationship dynamics, parent-child relations, the relational processes of divorce, stepfamilies, sexuality, child and human development, managing family resources, family conflict and violence, and much more.