CHAPTER SIX CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT FOR FAMILY WORK The Practice of Generalist Social Work (3rd ed.)

Key Ideas Social workers work with many and varied types of family constellations. Social workers need to remain open to evolving family definitions and forms. © 2014 Routledge

Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren In many cultures, grandparents play a significant role in child rearing. Industrialization has impacted grandparents’ child- rearing roles. Changing contemporary issues have increased the need for grandparents to resume or continue their roles in child rearing. © 2014 Routledge

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Parents Many recent legal, technological, and other developments have transformed parenting issues and opportunities for sexual minority groups. Various obstacles related to parenting remain for sexual minority groups. © 2014 Routledge

Single-Parent Families Single parenthood still has many negative connotations associated with it. Current literature has not been able to support or validate many commonly held negative beliefs about single parenthood. Still, single parenthood does bring many unique challenges. © 2014 Routledge

Families of Multiple Racial and Ethnic Heritages An increasingly diverse society has brought increasingly diverse family systems. Diverse family systems have unique strengths and challenges. Posture of cultural reciprocity is one approach to working with diverse family systems. © 2014 Routledge

Families with Persons with Disabilities Many families have members who have physical, cognitive, and/or psychological disabilities. These families have many unique strengths and challenges. The strengths perspective is a helpful approach to use in work with these families. © 2014 Routledge

Blended Families Blended families are the result of many circumstances including remarriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships. Blended families can face many challenges as two separate systems are combined to form a new system. © 2014 Routledge

International Families Migration has impacted family constellations, dynamics, and issues. Social workers need to be aware of legal, cultural, political, economic, and other factors that can impact international families. © 2014 Routledge