Abstract
The paper explores the dynamics of the blended family, with a focus on the children of the new family unit. The paper discusses the stages and process of "blending" a new family and examines the counseling of blended families in crisis. The paper shows how the success of the new family depends on their ability to form a cohesive group and establish boundaries. The paper concludes that more research needs to address the significant characteristics of the blended family so that family therapists can develop programs that are only available for the nuclear family.

Outline:
Social Dynamics of the Blended Family
Stages to Becoming Blended
Counseling Blended Families in Crisis
Discussion and Recommendations

From the Paper
"According to the 200o US Census, approximately 52-62% of all marriages end in divorce (US Census Bureau, 2001). These numbers are staggering when one considers that out of every 100 marriages 43% involve a previously married spouse. Nearly 60% of all remarriages will end in divorce (US Census Bureau, 2001). In 2001, 5.4 million children lived in a blended family consisting of one biological parent and either a stepparent or adoptive parent (Kreider & Fields, 2005). In every case, it would be easy to say that both parties had the best intentions in mind when they made the decision to marry, but something went wrong. These statistics highlight the importance of family counseling in the attempt to help families work out their problems, or help them cope when a relationship ends."

Tags:remarriage, stepfamilies, parents, children, boundaries, therapy, counselling

Abstract
This paper examines the transformation of the traditional American family and the impact of the non-traditional family in today's world. The paper explains that the non-traditional family is called a "blended family" and is more prevalent today than thirty years ago because divorce rates are rising and remarriages are much more common. The paper notes that significant changes are occurring in the marriage patterns in the United States, as individuals are postponing marriage until later in life and more people are choosing not to get married. The paper also points out that the area where change is most apparent centers around patterns of child-bearing. The paper then discusses the various types of non-traditional families. The paper contends that , for all types of non-traditional families, the changes will only come from shifts in cultural prejudices and this kind of change will be slow, but there are signs that some preliminary movement is beginning to take place.

From the Paper
"The image of the American family looks and functions very differently than families of the past few decades. Men and women raised in the 1960's and 1970's when programs such as "Ozzie and Harriet" and "Father Knows Best" exemplify the average family, are likely to find themselves in situations that have changed dramatically. Research claims that many family structures are common: single-parent families, remarried couples, unmarried couples, step families, foster families, multi-generational families, extended families, and the doubling up of two families within the same home. Marriage, divorce, and patterns of childbirth are some of the factors that have contributed to these significant changing families. With these changes come the possibility of remarriage and the creation of new families which bring together parents and children without blood ties."

Tags:divorce, remarriage, cultural, prejudice, child-bearing, population

Abstract
This paper studies blended and step families, exploring their potential benefits and unique obstacles. The paper stresses the importance of counseling prior to remarriage, particularly when children are involved.

From the Paper
"From adoption and surrogate parenting to increasing rates of remarriage and same-sex parents, the number of diverse family constellations in United States society continues to grow. Such constellations offer enormous benefits as well as ..."

Tags:blended family, stepfamilies, children, remarriage, diversity, religion, values

Abstract
Children of divorce may experience a wide range of emotional problems as the result of divorce. These problems may manifest immediately succeeding the divorce or at adulthood. Blended and extended families may pose more problems as these periods of transition amount to continual change and stability is lost as an outcome. Family therapists are generally needed to construct positive postdivorce familial ties.

From the Paper
FAMILY TIES AFTER DIVORCE: LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS The long-term implications of divorce on children are dependent upon the relationship of the father and mother after divorce. According to Judith Wallerstein, a psychologist, in "Surviving the Breakup: How Children and Parents Cope with Divorce," divorce affects children in different ways and varies in relation to their age, gender, and developmental stage at the time of the divorce. During early childhood, youngsters act out aggressively, become shy and unmotivated, feel abandoned, or suffer from sleep disorders. K-3 grade students usually require grief counseling and worry about being replaced with a new family. Upper elementary and some

Tags:divorce, family, relationships

Abstract
The purpose of the study the author has critiqued is to determine whether family composition has a significant impact on the overall health of adolescents suffering from type I diabetes mellitus (DMI). The results of the study suggest that the poor health status of African-American adolescents from single parent families can be attributed to inadequate parental supervision and intervention in enforcing the required health regimen. In addition, the stress of divorces or conflicts between separating parents may have contributed to the poorer metabolic functioning of these adolescents. The author critiques that although the article raises very interesting issues about the health problems of African American adolescents from single parent families, it does not explore the role of ethnicity in undermining their ability to take care of their adolescents. Moreover, the author believes that the article should have further explored how different family types manage their resources and implement plans to deal with their children's illnesses.

From the Paper
"When the researchers combined the INT and the BLND groups to form the two-parent (TP) group, they found that adolescents from SP families had significantly poorer metabolic functioning than the TP families. Furthermore, African-American adolescents from SP families were in significantly poor metabolic control than their African-American counterparts from TP families and Caucasian counterparts from both SP and TP families. However, the mothers' reports indicated that TP families experienced significantly more problems in family relationships than SP families (Harris et al., 1999, pp. 192-4)."

Tags:wellness, illness, diabetes, ethnic

Abstract
The paper explores how family health nursing is an approach to nursing that recognizes the importance of the family for the patient. The paper discusses how the idea of the nuclear family has changed, with many new forms of families common today, such as single-parent, step and blended families. The paper explains that a family health nurse works with the family of the patient as much as the actual patient. The nurse is often the link between medical specialists and the patient's family and family members can become the health decision makers when the patient is not capable of making decisions for him/herself.

From the Paper
"Family health nursing is an approach to nursing that recognizes the significance of the family for the patient. A family health nurse works with the family of the patient as much as the actual patient. They typically work with the patient and their family in the patient's home. They may provide advice to family members and show them how to care for the patient. This can include medical tasks such as how to change a patient's dressings or how to administer their medication. It can also include other tasks such as how to provide a positive environment for the patient and how to identify signs that the patient is anxious or depressed. They may also recognize family members that are not coping and provide support and guidance. Finally, they can also identify issues within the family and recommend action to be taken, such as by referring family members to appropriate social services."

Tags:health, nurse, motherhood

From the Paper
"The purpose of this paper is to critically explore and discuss Murray Bowen's theory of family therapy as it applies to a blended black family. Research and theory on black family violence will be addressed, and perspectives on black families in therapy will be set forth. Current thinking on the myths and misconceptions surrounding stepfamilies will be enumerated to provide a framework within which to better understand the problems facing this population.

... argued for the increased need for cultural competencies in child protective service work. They argued that, although many treatment strategies have been proposed, few have incorporated the variable of race and/or ethnicity in their application. In a national survey of child welfare in-service trainers, ... "

Abstract
In this article the writer presents an examination of family life with a focus on the Native-American community. The writer explores child rearing, parenting, moral training, infant care and other aspects of the Native-American culture and presents it in a cohesive fashion. The writer notes that the Native-American population continues to blend its foundation with American life to create a situation in which they can live cohesively while not forgetting who they are and where they came from. The writer concludes that as Americans become more tolerant of equal genders and get further away from corporal punishment of children the American culture will become more similar to the Native-American culture, and perhaps learn from a people that has maintained their integrity through almost constant assault.

From the Paper
"The concept of family is important in almost every culture in the world. How one raises children, treats children and support children is instrumental in any culture. Native Americans have struggled for many years to maintain their individual culture and tradition in a world that has spent 200 years trying to strip it away. One of the more difficult elements of maintaining that culture has been in the area of family. Family traditions, and Native American culture have clashed with modern America and the result for many has been confusion, depression and anger as children and teenagers rebel against their parent's wishes. While this is common in almost all family cultures the Native American culture also wrestles with prejudice and bias against their ways. Today, many Native Americans are striving to raise their children with respect for modern ways while still maintaining the traditions of their heritage."

Tags:children, tradition, respect, heritage

Abstract
This paper examines how a child's birth order determines the expectations placed upon him or her by the parents and how these expectations, or lack thereof, impact the relationship that siblings have with one and other. It also looks at how studies of blended, or "step" families, as well as sibling groups separated by the foster care system, underscore how birth order effects the relationship individuals have with their siblings under circumstances that are less than ideal.

From the Paper
"In families that do remain intact and non-dysfunctional, the parents' treatment of their offspring due to birth order, impacts not only the self-image of the individual child, but the manner by which they relate to their siblings. Parents often encourage competition and comparisons among siblings, with the misperception that encourages their children to work harder and become more successful. This has proved time and time again not to be the case. Siblings have been shown to avoid active participation in activities in which another sibling does well, especially if they are close in age."

Tags:step, rivalry, children, parents

Abstract
This is a detailed paper that combines the results from 15 studies to determine how stepmothers and stepdaughters tend to interact, as well as what factors indicate the likelihood of successful or unsuccessful blended family adjustment.

From the Paper
"Research on blended families reveals that the stepmother-stepdaughter relationship has a superimposed emotional factor not present in the natural parent-child relationship, or any other blended dyad. This superimposed factor is the existence of the "wicked stepmother" myth throughout oral history. A quick look at traditional fairy tales provides a grim picture of the abusive, jealous stepmother and her long-suffering stepdaughter. Women can be seen as good surrogate mothers, but only when referred to as something other than "stepmother." For example, the term "foster mother" or "adoptive mother" is associated with women's unselfish, generous desires to care for orphaned children; however the term "stepmother" has connotations of neglect and abhorrence."

Tags:blended, family, psychology, stepfamily, children, women, marriage, relationship, parent, wicked, myth, mother, biological, guilt, comparison