Stepfamilies : a global perspective on research, policy, and practice / Jan Pryor.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Introduction to Stepfamilies -- 2. Frameworks and Theories for Understanding Stepfamilies -- 3. Contexts of Stepfamilies: Culture and Race -- 4. Stepfamily Formation: Pathways and Processes -- 5. Adults in Stepfamilies -- 6. Adult and Sibling Relationships in Stepfamilies -- 7. Child -- 8. Children in Stepfamilies -- 9. Intergenerational Relationships in Stepfamilies -- 10. Gay and Lesbian Stepfamilies -- 11. The Stepfamily as a Unit: Challenges and Well-being -- 12. Interventions for Stepfamilies -- 13. Legal and Policy Issues for Stepfamilies -- 14. Overview and Conclusions -- --

1. Introduction to Stepfamilies -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- A Brief History of Stepfamilies -- Defining and Classifying Stepfamilies -- Incomplete Institutionalization -- Stereotypes and Stigma -- Factors Contributing to Stepfamily Diversity -- Prevalence of Stepfamilies -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 2. Frameworks and Theories for Understanding Stepfamilies -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- Family Systems Theory -- Life Course Theories -- Family Social Capital -- Evolutionary Theory -- Boundary Ambiguity -- Parenting Styles -- Bidirectional Effects -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercises -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 3. Contexts of Stepfamilies: Culture and Race -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- Stepfamilies in Asian Cultures: Chinese and Japanese Families -- Stepfamilies in Africa: The Case of Namibia -- Stepfamilies in Hispanic Cultures -- Black American Culture and Stepfamilies -- Maori Culture and Stepfamilies: An Example of Polynesian Culture -- A Comparison of Cultures -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 4. Stepfamily Formation: Pathways and Processes -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- Pathways to Stepfamily Formation -- Contributing Factors to the Changing Formation of Stepfamilies -- Multiple Transitions -- Multipartner Fertility -- Typologies -- Other Issues in Thinking about Stepfamilies -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 5. Adults in Stepfamilies -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- Resident Mothers -- Resident Fathers -- Nonresident Fathers -- Nonresident Mothers -- Stepmothers -- Stepfathers -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 6. Adult and Sibling Relationships in Stepfamilies -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- Adult -- Adult Relationships -- Sibling Relationships -- Conceptual Models for Understanding Sibling Relationships -- Biological Sibling Relationships -- Stepsibling Relationships -- Half-sibling Relationships -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 7. Child -- Adult Relationships -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- Biological Parent -- Child Relationships -- Stepparent -- Stepchild Relationships -- Child -- Nonresident Parent Relationships -- Relationships with Multiple Parenting Figures -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 8. Children in Stepfamilies -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- The Well-being of Children in Stepfamilies -- Explanatory Factors and Determinants of Outcomes -- Contact with Nonresident Parents and Well-being -- The Impact of Multiple Transitions on Children's Well-being -- Child Abuse in Stepfamilies -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 9. Intergenerational Relationships in Stepfamilies -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- The Importance of the Grandparental Relationship -- Conceptual Frameworks for Considering Grandparenting -- The Nature of the Grandchild -- Grandparent Relationship -- Is the Grandparental Relationship Related to the Well-being of Children? -- Grandparents and Divorce -- Becoming a Step-grandparent -- Contact between Children and Grandparents and Step-grandparents -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 10. Gay and Lesbian Stepfamilies -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- Formation and Definition -- Demographics of Gay and Lesbian Stepfamilies -- Attitudes to Same-sex Stepfamilies -- Stigma -- Legal Structures: Domestic Partnerships, Civil Union, and Marriage -- Relationships and Roles in Gay and Lesbian Stepfamilies -- Well-being in Gay and Lesbian Stepfamilies -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 11. The Stepfamily as a Unit: Challenges and Well-being -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- Challenges for Stepfamilies -- Developmental Trajectories of Stepfamilies -- Family Well-being -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 12. Interventions for Stepfamilies -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- The Stepfamily Cycle -- Interventions and Therapy -- Evaluation of Interventions -- Outcomes of Interventions -- Therapeutic Interventions -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 13. Legal and Policy Issues for Stepfamilies -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- Stepfamilies and the Law -- The Legal Situation in the United States -- Adoption by Stepparents -- Other Options for Stepparents -- Proposals for Change in the United States -- Policy Issues -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources -- -- 14. Overview and Conclusions -- Objectives of this Chapter -- Introduction -- Fluidity of Stepfamily Households -- The Importance of Time -- Cultural Diversity -- Stepkinship -- Child Effects -- Family Practices and Family Displays -- Lessons from Black Families: The Pedi-focal Family -- Chapter Summary -- Key Terms -- Discussion Questions -- Exercise -- Additional Readings and Web Resources.