Two major gaps have long existed in family studies: first, the gap between theory and research, and second, the gap between scientific research and its application to practice and policy issues. While the four issues of theory, research, practice, and policy-making are often dealt with separately, the four must become closely integrated if real progress in any of them is to be achieved. Recently published data on patterns of interaction with kin after divorce show that interaction with one's own kin remains the same or increases after divorce, but that interaction with the former spouse's kin greatly decreases or even ceases entirely. Indications are that although sociologists have often conceptualized kin networks as supraindividual, they appear to be highly contingent upon the participation or lack thereof of key individual family members. These findings support a central thesis of this paper: sociologists in particular need to take more cognizance of the role of the individual in family behavior. Such empirical data is also relevant to the pragmatic concerns of practicioners and policy-makers whose decisions have a direct impact upon the nature of family life in the United States. (Author)