The purpose of this paper is to critically explore and discuss Murray Bowen's theory of family therapy as it applies to a blended black family. Research and theory on black family violence will be addressed, and perspectives on black families in therapy will be set forth. Current thinking on the myths and misconceptions surrounding stepfamilies will be enumerated to provide a framework within which to better understand the problems facing this population.
Pierce and Pierce (1991) argued for the increased need for cultural competencies in child protective service work. They argued that, although many treatment strategies have been proposed, few have incorporated the variable of race and/or ethnicity in their application. In a national survey of child welfare in-service trainers, Vinokur and Gray (1981) found that most of the trainers surveyed had no program plan to train workers to serve different racial groups.
Pierce and Pierce (1991) emphasized that even the most casual examination of child welfare intervention and practice with black families revealed a tragic picture of insensitivity and cultural disregard. They felt that clinical practice with black families must occur within a culturally competent, organizational context in which there is a commitment to policies that enhance services to diverse clientele.
Maglin and Schniedewind (1989) said that there were 35 million stepparents in America and 1,300 stepfamiles are formed every day. One out of every five children has a stepparent. In their 1989 book, the authors predicted that, by 1990, more people will be part of a second marriage than a first. In her book, Stepmotherhood: How to survive without feeling frustrated, left-out, or wicked, Cherie Burns said that stepmothers-to-be usually had one of three popular preconceptions about stepmothering. First, their stepchildren won't really be part of their marriage and-lives. Second, their relationship with their...