ibly to the point where stepfamilies outnumber traditional families,” (30).
The diversity of family forms in the U.S. creates a variety of experiences, needs, and possibilities. For example, stepfamilies deal with a variety of challenges to be able to enjoy the benefits of such a family constellation. Benefits of stepfamilies can be numerous. Such benefits include greater economic resources and a higher standard of living, male and female parenting models for children, siblings for only children, and a variety of others. Nevertheless, to get the full potential of such benefits, there are challenges that must be successfully met. Stepfamilies are the product of remarriage, quite often a remarriage that occurs due to the death of a previous spouse or divorce. In such cases, it is particularly important that adults ensure a gradual adjustment environment for children. Children are often strongly linked biologically and psychologically to the missing parent. As associate professor of human development and family studies at Indiana University Robert Billingham argues, “Children have many issues to deal with after the loss of a parent, and the introduction of another adult into that role before the children can deal with their issues forces them to either resist the new person or repress their issues,” (Blended 2003, 6).
Stepfamilies deal with a variety of challenges to be able to enjoy the benefits of such a family constellation. Benefits of stepfamilies are numerous. Such benefits include greater economic resources and a higher standard of living, male and female parenting/socializing models for children, siblings for only children, and a variety of others. Nevertheless to gain the potential of such benefits, there are often challenges that must be met. Stepfamilies are the product of remarriage, quite often a remarriage that occurs due to the death of a previous spouse or divorce. In such cases it is particular...