Divorce, Remarriage and Blended Families

Divorce, Remarriage, and Blended Families

I. Introduction

Divorce is one of the social institution that has greatly changed its culture and legalized in the

history. Earlier, in most cultures, divorce was considered to be a vice and was discussed only in

hush. However societal culture is dynamic and the culture of accepting a divorce as a normal

occurrence has slowly transpired. In recent decades, the picture of divorce, has changed,

especially in the West, where now people’s freedom and joy have become fundamental, rather

than a marriage for life. At present, the circumstance of divorce is not considered to be rare any

longer but rather widespread throughout the United States; as the rate for divorce in the United

the need for a companion and even financial ability. Also, different role of women and men and

also, economic emancipation of women have shifted the pattern of marriage and divorce.

Knowledge of divorce, remarriage and blended families is significant for all practitioners and

society because these factors influence the mental, social and economical state of society

significantly. Divorce, remarriage, and new families are a combinable topic that has significant

impact on the people’s lives and society in the whole; therefore, this essay will try to describe

these connections.

II. Understanding Divorce

The current discovery – relating to the incidence of divorce: Overall, this literature shows that

divorces profiles and trends are diverse and multifaceted and contain a demography and cultural

people, who live together with their partners before marriage, could experience some increased

rate of divorces, which might be explained by the absence of commitment often linked to

cohabitation.

Divorce can happen due to one or a number of reasons, all of which can be complex. Marital

relations have also been affected by other society changes like improvements in women status

and enforcement of right to work among others. Women are not likely to stick in unhappy

marriages as they rely on the husband financially in most cases. For example, in most cultures,

women looked forward to their husbands to provide them with the means to earn a living, and

under such circumstances, ladies had no option other than enduring inquired or physically

abusive marital lives. Nevertheless, due to changes that have occurred over the years, and

due to emerging costs. However, difficult economic conditions can add pressure to any marriage

and already strained couples will result in higher divorce rates once the economy turns a corner.

For this situation psychological factors may also cause breakdown of relationships such as lack

of communication and conflicts. The Journal of Marriage and Family reported that when two

people communicate poorly, it may lead to a divorce.

Divorce has a big impact on the people living in the marriage, including the spouses and the kids.

Both partners may feel that they has failed in a relationship and are left alone. For instance, a

divorced person may feel incompetent thinking that they cannot keep a relationship moving. The

social issues arising from divorce are protesting more so when the divorce affects the children

because they will be confused, angry and even grieving. Studying the facts obtained it can be

health.

Therefore the economical effects of divorce should not be forgotten either. Most people

experience a considerable economic burden after divorce as expenses increase, and earnings

drop. A research study conducted by the Institute for Family Studies revealed that women w ho

are divorced and mothers at that cut their standards of living greatly affecting their children.

Such lifestyle can create pressure financially within the family, thus, exert psychosocial pressure

on the family with all its members in general. In addition, maintenance payments including child

support and alimony can thus remain as a cumbersome post divorce legal financial obligation.

III. The Process of Remarriage

Divorce offers a different world full of prospects and constraints that characterize remarriage.

There are many people that have been divorced and want to get married again, either for need of

someone to care for them, or for the need to maintain a steady income. The emotional reasons of

remarriage can be as follows: loneliness, need in somebody, a dream to have a loving and

supportive family, as well as for child, or children’s need in a stable family. For example, a

person can have comfort in a new partner after separation due to loneliness after divorce. Even if

they are only secondary, other situational factors, for example the financial provisions and

That said there are some various factors which may pose some challenges as one tries to sue the

lead to tension. Even the change in a partnership may be financially plausible and logistically

complex if children from the previous relationships are included. From the National Stepfamily

Resource Center report it emerges that in order to make remarriage to work, there are factors that

must be taken seriously in a stepfamily namely issues to do with parenting and family cultures.

other family members and this can be arduous, time-consuming and may involve tension from all

the members of the family. When people start this process it is crucial that the communicate

efficiently. It makes sense to have clear discussions of contingencies and expectations, identity

family roles and relationships in order to avoid confusion and establish trust. For example,

marital preparation can help individuals to recognize potential conflicts and create ways of

offspring of the partner. The latter suggests that having limits as well as letting the children

speak shall assist to reduce tensions. The Stepfamily Foundation has documented that it is not

easy to accommodate stepparents into the family as it must be done gradually: this can take time

but might well be worth it if encouraged.

It is hoped that this paper has demonstrated that the prospects of happiness in remarriage are

high. Most people enjoy their second marriages and are more secure probably because of having

learned from their previous marriages. For instance, after divorce someone may pay more

attention to how you argue or solve couple disputes in the new relationship. The studies showed

that positive remarriages which signify good working relationships result in higher and enhanced

perceived life satisfaction, individual psychological growth as well as improved self-reported

well being. Real life experiences documented by men and women in subsequent marriages show

how they learned to change and grow in order to cope with such changes. Besides, couples who

have experienced a divorce can benefit from premaritals as such counseling can benefit them by

helping them recognize problems that may arise for which they have no solution and offering

them healthy ways of managing such problems should they re-marry. Family members, friends

and counselling agencies are also significant assets that can enable a person change lifestyle

IV. Blended Families

Step families or blended families can be defined as a union of a man and a woman where one or

both is responsible for a child/children and can be together biologically or married. Technical;

defined as families in which one or both adults have children from previous marriages, blended

try to exercise their authority over their stepchildren, as well as develop warm relationships with

young family members. For example, a turn may win in portraying himself or herself as the one

who sets rules while at the same time would wish to be affectionate with the stepchildren. In the

study conducted by the American Psychological Association, stepfamilies were portrayed as

having multiple issues, especially, the strong interdependent emotional climates, which means

that both parents and children ought to have tolerance. Family members need to sit down and

start speaking to each other without fear of rejection or being humiliated in some way. Family

management cannot be overemphasized because they require the cooperation of all persons

involved, and good communication facilitates this cooperation. Family meetings are

advantageous inasmuch as they can be a means of conveying some concerns, expectations and

to the partner. Studies show that in the scenario under analysis children will respond more

positively to step parenting when the biological parent encourages the new arrangement. The

biological parent has the responsibility of introduction of proper ways of communicating and

methods of solving conflicts within a family.

Integrating families normally entail integration of new traditions and or/ routines. For instance,

families might build upparticular activities in which every person in the family participates in so

that there can be a group identity achieved. Such things as, parties to mark festivities,

anticipating for vacation or other holidays, family entertainment such as game nights can be of

help in cementing the families togetherness. According to the study conducted by the National

Stepfamily Resource Center, one of the tasks of developing positive interaction is the

construction of a new stepfamily quality. Any effort in making the step-siblings to work together

But, the adjustment to blended family tends to be a challenge since children living in the home

embrace and embrace you back. The survey conducted, and published in Journal of Family

Psychology showed that children of blended families have higher rate of anxiety and behavioral

problems during the initial transition phase in the new family setting. These feelings need to be

accepted by parents this will help the children to share them with others as long as they are safe.

V. The Emotional Impact of Divorce and Remarriage on Children

Stress arising from divorce and remarriage consequences on the child emotionally is an

important focus since it will affect the child’s personality and ability to form relationships. It is

not uncommon for children to feel confused, anger, sadness and anxiety during and after the time

of the parents’ divorce. For instance, the young child may learn that her family members are

capricious, which makes it hard for him or her to develop trusting relationships in future when

the parents decide to part ways. The site also points out that children between the ages of seven

and sixteen who have parents going through a divorce are at a heightened risk of developing

psychological disorders including depression, anxiety and behavioral problems according to the

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Moreover, children when responding to divorce; the response may differ according to age and

developmental level. Children of a young age are unable to grasp fully the implications of the

parents when they are in their teenager’s age, may have poorer academic performance and

experience social problems than their peers from nuclear families.

A lot of child care during such changes have therefore needed to ensure provision of care during

transition to reduce on the stress levels, hence need to encourage on the resilience. Some of the

mediators of resilience may include parents, teachers and counselors. Those who have someone

who will listen to them and do not suppress their feelings and emotions will not become

unhealthy in how they deal with issues. Cognitive or counseling therapies like one on one

counselling or family therapy help children work through their experiences or feelings as well.

For instance, where a child develops anger towards a parent, he/she can be taken for individual

focuses on the acquisition of emotional intelligence among children will enable these kids to find

words for the thoughts about their experiences.

accommodate the new settings. Becoming a step parent thus takes time, patience, love and

understanding when adopting to a family with children especially if it is a blended family. This

also ensures the children are inclusively involved in the process when discussing the new

relationship therefore setting of boundaries. For instance, a recessional meeting before the

wedding can enable children to speak out and have a chance to make their views known and to

ask all the questions which they may feel will not be answered after the wedding. Stepparents

feel resentful or frustrated towards a new step parent. For example, a teenage girl may feel

protective of her relationship with biological mother and doesn’t like her new step father being

around. The tailor made approach when providing support and intervention is very important

when addressing the healthy adjustment of each child. In addition, schools and communities may

get involved providing materials or offering a chance to talk to a counselor or attend an

educational session that can help children during these changes. It is only when people are aware

of the issues that children in blended families go through that attempts can be made towards

providing a healthy shot at the child’s emotional well being.

VI. Societal Implications

By analysing the results it can be obvious that the society has changed its attitudes to marriage

and family due to increase in divorce and formation of blended families. This means that what

was once considered as a traditional culture in form of marriage is now recognized in broader

perspective of marriage in modern structures of families. It is possible to name several aspects of

modern families: single-parent families, new families of same-sex partners, blended families and

etc., that broaden the concept of a family. This change in perception is needed, especially when

contemporary relationships are not petroleum violet and various types of families have to face

Over time, changes in the perception of society demand that states and organizations provide

support and funding for such relationships. Legal aspects touching on the issue of child care and

for family counseling services or the law which sets up principles for proper child support all

serve to ease some of the stresses faced by divorced and remarried families.

Organizations, parenting classes, support groups and Counseling services Area few examples

understanding of different types of families. Schools should introduce programs that seek to

explain diverse family forms and ensure kids embrace one another despite those differences. For

instance, the lessons which involve the family experiences as an aspect teaches students about

the importance of embracing everyone. Such measures can play a useful role in overcoming

prejudice and increasing tolerance, and guarantee that children with parents from different

Brady Bunch’ have depicted blended families making their strengths and weaknesses part of the

conversations. Since media always plays such pivotal role in defining the sociopolitical

discourses, it is high time to support more pluralism which will comprise the contemporary

families.

Along with these, there are various roles that can be tested by the advocacy organizations in

creating awareness to the blended family experiences. If these organizations used their voices to

promote stabilities for families and family units this can make the society more aware and

accepting. There is great potential for developing cooperative partnerships among the community

agencies, schools, and local government to establish a comprehensive network of services for

families in divorce, remarriage, and blending. For instance, the Stepfamily Foundation is an

organization that supports families and professional working with them with the aim of assisting

step-families to do better in supporting children and their parents.

of divorce and remarriage are especially significant in today’s society because people’s views on

marriage and family change gradually.

It can be therefore concluded that recognizing the informal aspect of the society today and the

rapid changes in the structure of families it is inevitable to learn from flexibility, strength, and

clear communication. Therefore, given right child and adult friendly environments, society can

reduce adverse effects of divorce and achieve favorable blended families. More study and

outreach remain necessary to help families affected by these changes to access the assistance and

attention they need in order to be adjusted to these dynamics.

In addition, more and more people are divorced or get remarried, therefore, the society needs to

embrace the concept and accept these families. With the help of the described work, people

develop respect for the plurality of family forms and learn about the individual situations of all