Improving Functioning of the Remarried Family System

Abstract

This report presents salient issues for therapists in understanding and treating the remarried (Rem, second, blended, reconstituted or step) family. The structure of the remarried family is differentiated from that of the intact family. Specific treatment goals for Rem families are elaborated and various treatment modalities advocated. The need to include former spouses and to consider the meta family system are discussed. Common reactions and difficulties engendered in therapists when working with Rem systems are explicated.

Changing Parent and Spouse Relations in the First Years of Remarriage of Divorced Fathers

“…Several measures tapped disappointment or disillusionment felt by stepmothers over the course of the first five years of stepparenting. This disillusionment is often reported in firstperson accounts of stepmothers (e.g., Maddox, 1975;Roosevelt and Lofas, 1976) and by clinicians working with troubled remarriage families (Sager, Walker, Brown, Crohn, and Rodstein, 1981). In our interviews stepmothers often noted that they had scaled down their expectations of stepparenting.…”

Risks and Benefits of Open Adoption

“…Hajal and Rosenberg apply the concept of "metafamily" from the remarriage literature30, 31 to the open adoption families. Hajal and Rosenberg apply the concept of "metafamily" from the remarriage literature30, 31 to the open adoption families.…”

1984 and beyond: Divergent Directions and Extra Depth*

“…Out of the evolution of the one-parent family has naturally unfolded the structure of step families, or to use terms not so steeped in toxic beliefs and values Edgar and Ochiltree's 'plus families ' (1982) or Sager et al (1981) 'remarried families'. One in three marriages involve persons previously married.…”