CHAPTER 4: Working with Single-Parent and Blended Families Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice 6 th Edition Samuel T. Gladding Developed by Nathaniel N. Ivers, Wake Forest University © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

4-2 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Overview Similarities and differences between single-parent and blended families Challenges faced by single-parent and blended families Strengths of single parent and blended families Ways of working with single-parent and blended families

4-3 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Single-Parent Families Those headed by a sole parent responsible for taking care of herself or himself and a child or children Those created as a result of divorce, death, abandonment, unwed pregnancy, imprisonment, adoption, and uncontrollable circumstances, such as a military assignment In the 1950s, the percentage of single-parent families created by divorce began to exceed those created by death

4-4 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Single-Parent Families: Statistics By 1970, about 1 family in 10 was headed by a single parent Currently, more than half a million children are born out of wedlock each year Currently, the percentage of single-parent households created by children born out-of- wedlock, has surpassed those created by divorce Number of single-parent families in the U.S. has remained statistically unchanged for almost two decades

4-5 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Types of Single-Parent Families Those created by the following: Divorce Death Choice Temporary Circumstances

4-6 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Single Parenthood as a Result of Divorce Approximately 1 million divorces each year in the U.S. 1 in 5 adults has been divorced Subunits created, except in the case of joint custody: Custodial parent Noncustodial parent

4-7 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Why People Divorce Social issues Personal issues Relationship issues

4-8 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Issues of Single Parenthood Following Divorce Resolution of the loss of marriage Acceptance of new roles and responsibilities Renegotiation and redefinement of relationships with family and friends Establishment of a satisfactory arrangement with one’s former spouse Potential economic strain

4-9 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Single Parenthood as a Result of Death Major Tasks: Reestablishment of surviving parent’s life Restructuring of family Family Development may involve three stages: Mourning stage Readjustment stage Renewal and accomplishment stage

4-10 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Single Parenthood by Choice May occur in the following three ways: Purposefulness in conceiving a child out of wedlock Deciding to carry a child to term after accidentally becoming pregnant out of wedlock Adopting a child as a single adult

4-11 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Single Parenthood as a Result of Temporary Circumstances May occur because of the following: Military deployment Job change Usually lasts from a few weeks to several years May create stress due to its suddenness

4-12 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Strengths of Single-Parent Families Tend to be more democratic than most family types Flexibility in roles Pace at which members go through developmental stages Creativity in locating and utilizing needed materials for their overall well-being

4-13 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Challenges of Single-Parent Families Defining or refining boundaries and roles Achieving educational success Establishing a clear and strong identity and relating to others of the opposite sex Poverty Expression of negative feelings

4-14 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Approaches for Working with Single-Parent Families Prevention Approaches Work on couple relationship Premarital counseling Programs that help spouses after traumatic separation Educational and Behavioral Approaches Helping families communicate clearly Linking family members to needed support systems Assisting them in resolving financial matters Providing reading or video resources, such as bibliotherapy

4-15 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Role of the Therapist Recognize the social, psychological, and economic uniqueness of single-parent families Lay aside personal prejudices and biases When appropriate, help clients distinguish between emotional and legal aspects of divorce Help members tap into their inner resources and use support groups

4-16 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Process and Outcome Four Improvements that single-parent families experience in through successful family therapy: Increase confidence and competence in themselves Develop clear and functional boundaries Make informed decisions regarding remarriage Tap into community resources more effectively as well as make use of their own resources

4-17 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Blended Families “Consist of two adults and step-, adoptive, or foster children” (Pearson, 1993, p. 51). By the beginning of the 21 st century 1 million of the 2 million marriages in U.S. each year involved at leas one formerly married person Most commonly formed when a person whose previous marriage ended in death, divorce, or abandonment marries either another previously married person or someone who has never been married.

4-18 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Common Concerns of Blended Families Entering the new relationship Conceptualizing and planning new marriage and family Remarrying and reconstituting family Carter & McGoldrick, 1988, p. 377)

4-19 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Structural Distinctions of Blended Families A biological parent elsewhere A relationship in the family between an adult (parent) and at least one child that predates the present family structure At least one child who is a member of more than one household A parent who is not legally related to at least one child A couple that begins other than simply as a dyad A complex extended family network (e.g., quasi kin)

4-20 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Common Issues in Blended Families Resolving the past Alleviating fears and concerns about stepfamily life Establishing or reestablishing trust Fostering a realistic attitude Becoming emotionally/psychologically attached to others (Carter & McGoldrick, 1988; McCarthy & Ginsberg, 2007)

4-21 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Common Issues in Blended Families Finding time to consolidate the couple relationship Working out romantic and negative feelings Integrating members into a cohesive family unit

4-22 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Strengths of Blended Families Life Experience Kin and quasi-kin networks Creativity and innovativeness Appreciation and respect for differences Making the most of situations

4-23 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Challenges of Blended Families Loss of an important member Establishment of a hierarchy Boundary difficulties Resolving feelings Economic problems

4-24 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Approaches for Treating Blended Families Provide guidance on retaining old loyalties Focus on parental involvement Provide education Assist in the creation of family traditions and rituals

4-25 Gladding, Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice, 6 th Ed. © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Process and Outcome Supporting the new parent and sibling subunits Facilitating the development of tolerance for each other Helping family members to find their place in the new family as it is currently constituted Fostering new traditions Helping family members examine their ability to discuss roles, boundaries, shared identity, diverse expectations, and feelings associated with themselves and the family