Who is the American Family?
A generation ago the typical answer was “a father, a mother, and 2.2 children.” Today, it could also be a single parent with children, middle-aged parents with and adult child who has returned home, or an aging parent being cared for by an adult child. The fastest growing group, however, is the blended family. Studies show that one out of six children residing with two parents are living with a stepparent. In fact, many of today’s children will have lived in two or three different family arrangements by the time they reach the age of 18! Despite all the “mixing and matching” of members – or maybe because of it – people are still pinning their hopes on family, believing that it will provide them with stability, comfort and security. Blended families can come through. Take a look, though, at what children and parents go through. Blending the new family Children and adults bring vastly different feelings and expectations to the “marriage of two families. What kids fear Many children have
