1. R EMARRIAGE AND S TEPFAMILIES CHAPTER 15

2. 15-2 Types and Number of Remarriages and Stepfamilies Types of Remarried Couples Demographics of Remarriage and Stepfamilies

3. 15-3 Proportion of Children Living With Step and Adoptive Parents Source: Kreider and Fields 2005.

4. 15-4 The Myths of Remarriage Things must work out Consider other people first Be an individual first and a couple second

5. 15-5 The Myths of Remarriage Focus on the positive and forget criticism Avoid mistakes of the past Marriage makes people happier

6. 15-6 Reasons for Remarriage Offered by 205 Men and Women Source: Data from L.H. Ganong and M. Coleman, Family Relations, 38:30, 1989.

7. 15-7 The Challenges of Remarriage Complex kin relationships and ambiguous roles Unresolved emotional issues related to the first marriage Adjustment of children Financial issues Legal issues

8. 15-8 Long-term Adjustment by Type of Family Background

9. 15-9 Long-term Adjustment by Type of Family Background (Cnt’d)

10. 15-10 Long-term Adjustment by Type of Family Background (Cnt’d)

11. 15-11 The Structure of the Stepfamily – Complexity – Ambiguous Family Boundaries – Normative Ambiguity

12. 15-12 Stepparents and Stepchildren – Stepfathering – Stepmothering – Stepchildren and the Marital Relationship – Adjustment of Stepchildren

13. 15-13 How Can Stepfamilies Work? Help each other deal with feelings of loss that arise out of the disruption of the previous families Replace fantasy expectations with realistic ones Develop a sense of family identity Assist each other in working through loyalty conflicts

14. 15-14 How Can Stepfamilies Work? Resolve any lingering issues with ex-spouses Develop step-parenting rules and behaviors that are acceptable to everyone Be aware of, and responsive to, the feelings and needs of each other Nurture a strong marital relationship