Stepfamilies: A Guide To Working With Stepparents And Stepchildren

by Visher,Emily B.

• ISBN13: 9780876301906
• ISBN10: 0876301901
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1979-10-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Studies the differences between stepfamilies and nuclear families, and the adjustments and stresses families face as a result of remarriage.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Jerry M. Lewis
Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xvii
Cultural Characteristics of Stepfamilies	3	(12)
American Stepfamilies 1979
The Invisibility of Stepfamilies
Structural Characteristics of Stepfamilies	15	(21)
Comparison of American Family Patterns
The Structure of Stepfamilies
Problem Areas Resulting from Stepfamily Structure
Research in Stepfamily Relationships	36	(14)
Demographic Studies
Overviews and Critiques of Research Literature
Research in Stepparent-Stepchildren Relationships
Adjustment of Children to Remarriage
Summary
Women in Remarried Relationships Involving Children	50	(18)
Unrealistic Expectations
Remarried Mothers with No Stepchildren
Stepmothers with No Children of Their Own
Remarried Mothers with Stepchildren
Variations on the Stepfamily Theme
Working with Women in Stepfamilies	68	(17)
Individual Counseling and Therapy
Groups for Stepmothers
Men in Remarried Relationships Involving Children	85	(24)
Joining a Functioning Group and Establishing a Place
Working out Rules Regarding Family Behavior
Handling Unrealistic Expectations
Specific Problem Areas
Working With Men in Stepfamilies	109	(12)
Working with Individual Fathers/Stepfathers
Working with Men in Groups
Changing Roles for Men
Recoupling-Stepfamily Couples	121	(20)
External Pressures on the Couple
Internal Pressures on the Couple
Successful Recoupling
Working with Stepfamily Couples	141	(21)
Working with Individual Couples
Group Work with Stepfamily Couples
Children in Stepfamilies	162	(19)
Dealing with Loss
Divided Loyalties
Where Do I Belong?
Membership in Two Households
Unreasonable Expectations
Fantasies of Natural Parents' Reuniting
Guilt Over Causing the Divorce
Adolescent Stepchildren
Children of the New Couple
Adult Stepchildren
Working With Stepchildren	181	(26)
Preschool Children
Stepchildren Six-to- Twelve Years Old (Latency Age Children)
Adolescent Stepchildren
Death of a Divorced Parent
Stepfamilies	207	(16)
Permeable Stepfamily Boundaries
Interpersonal Bonds Predating the Couple Relationship
Rupture of Spousal and/or Parent-Child Bonds
Another Parent Outside the Specific Stepfamily Unit
Working With Stepfamilies	223	(29)
Goals of Stepfamily Therapy or Counseling
Whom to Include
Family Work with Stepfamilies
Multiple Family Therapy with Stepfamilies
Mixed Family Interaction Groups
Overview	252	(9)
Appendix A. Guidelines for Stepfamilies	261	(5)
Appendix B. References for Stepfamilies	266	(3)
References	269	(4)
Index	273