Dr. Cooper is one of the most important existential psychiatrists and has conducted extensive research on the psychology and treatment of schizophrenics, along with R. D. Laing. These studies convinced him that the concept of family dominates the individual's inner life, destroying their sexual and social autonomy. "The Death of the Family" is the result of his research, a particularly intense critique of the perceptions and structure of the "family situation".

Undoubtedly, this is a revolutionary book. The author is not satisfied with criticism, but expands on the processing of various alternative solutions in relation to conventional families and clarifies how it is possible to reject the goals that the institution of the family sets for individuals. It also explores the difficulties faced by various movements for the establishment of communes or "anti-families".