Stepfamilies: A Multi-Dimensional Perspective

Contents Acknowledgments * Foreword * Part I: The Nature and History of Stepfamilies * Introduction: The Changing Context of Stepfamilies * Chapter 1. Introduction: The Changing Context of Stepfamilies * Chapter 2. Stepfamilies: Who Are They? * What Is a Stepfamily? How Many Stepfamilies Are There? * A Short History of Stepfamilies * What Do We Know About Stepfamilies? A Critical Review of Empirical and Clinical Knowledge * Summary * Chapter 3. Characteristic Features of Stepfamilies * Structural Characteristics of Stepfamilies * Dynamic Characteristics of Stepfamilies * Developmental Characteristics of Stepfamilies * Summary * Chapter 4. Key Issues of Stepfamilies * Past Orientation: The Attitude of the Stepfamily Toward the Past * Acceptance/Rejection of Difference: The Self-Perception of the Family vis-a-vis Other Types of Families * The Dominant Substructure of the Family: The Focal Subsystem * Summary * Part II: Types of Stepfamilies--An Innovative Classification * Chapter 5. Integrated Families: Combining Then and Now Around the Couple * Profile of Integrated Stepfamilies * Combining Past and Present * Acknowledging Differences * Marital Focal Subsystem * Characteristics of the Integrated Nature of the Family * Typical Issues * Case Illustration: The Everest Family * Summary * Chapter 6. Invented Stepfamilies: The Time Is Now and the Family Is the Focus * Profile of Invented Stepfamilies * Discarding the Past: The TIme Is Now * Denial of Differences: We Are A Regular Family * A Parental Focal Subsystem * Main Issues: Invented Families--Whose Invention? * Case Illustration: The Fox Family * Summary * Chapter 7. Imported Stepfamilies: Living the "There and Then" in the "Here and Now" * Profile of Imported Stepfamilies * Reliving the Past in the Present * Denying Differences from Non-Stepfamilies * Marital Focal Subsystem * Case Illustration: The Duncan Family * Summary * Part Three: Stepfamilies and Culture * Chapter 8. Immigrant Stepfamilies * The Experience of Multiple Losses * Phases in the Immigration Process * Paths to Becoming an Immigrant Stepfamily * Combined Effects of Immigration and Stepfamily * Case Illustration: The Kovarsky Family * Summary * Black Stepfamilies* The History of the Black Stepfamily * A Black Communal-Oriented Philosophy * Permeability of Boundaries in Black Families * Informal Adoption Among Black Families * Role Flexibility of Black Families * Living with the Experience of Being Different * Case Illustration: The Wilson Family * Summary * Chapter 10. Gay and Lesbian Stepfamilies * Triple Stigmatization of Gay Stepfamilies * Typical Issues of Gay and Lesbian Stepfamilies * Case Illustration: The Roth-Johnston Family * Part Four: Helping Stepfamilies of Diverse Types--Implications for Practice * Chapter 11. Assessing Stepfamilies * Differential Evaluation of Normative Stepfamily Issues versus Dysfunctional Patterns * Differential Assessment of Diverse Types of Stepfamilies * Methods of Assessing Stepfamilies: Interviews, Genograms, and Standardized Instruments * Summary * Chapter 12. Partners and Focus: Choosing with Whom to Work on Which Issues * Deciding with Whom to Work * Deciding What to Work On * Summary * Chapter 13. Strategies and Techniques for Working with Stepfamilies * Normalizing the Stepfamily Experience * Providing Psychoeducation * Negotiating Flexibility and Promoting Creativity * Using Collaborative Conversational Approaches * Summary * Chapter 14. Changing Social Context: Working on Behalf of Stepfamilies * Developing a Step-Relationships Language * Challenging the Brady Bunch Stereotype: Developing Realistic Recognition of Stepfamilies, Their Uniqueness, and Diversity * Developing Specific Servic