Relationships that have not been formalized by marriage but that function like marriage are increasingly common among couples. Many of these relationships involve children who are related to only one of the adults but who have established parent-child relationships with both adults. This raises questions about how best to preserve children's…

Second marriages are known to be more fragile than first marriages. To better understand the factors that contribute to this fragility, this qualitative study compared stepfamilies that stayed together with those that separated by collecting interview data from one adult in each of the former (n = 31) and latter (n = 26) stepfamilies. Data were…

Investigates whether fatherhood, and specifically involvement with nonresident children, influence men's entrance into marital and cohabiting unions. Findings suggest that neither resident nor nonresident children affect men's chances of entering a new marriage, but nonresident children have a positive effect on cohabitation. (Contains 79…

No published research has investigated the impact of joint custody on the adjustment of children of divorce who become stepchildren. This research examined the differential effects of joint versus maternal custody, structural complexity (presence or absence of stepfather's children from a prior marriage), and sex and age of adolescent on…

Noting that the term "family values" has achieved prominence in the rhetoric of political debate, this book compiles essays by philosophers, political scientists, and legal scholars exploring specific issues within the legal, ethical, and political dimensions of familial relationships. Collectively, the essays point out that many…

Contrasts a group of informal kinship care providers in Philadelphia (KIDS'n'KIN Program) with two "formal" kinship care groups in Baltimore and California, examining similarities and differences in child and caregiver demographies and service needs. Presents the program's response to the needs of informal kinship care providers.…

Based on interviews with hundreds of remarried men and women, this guide to stepparenting realistically acknowledges the fears, doubts, and difficulties that affect the stepparenting situation, and offers practical help and insight into the many accompanying challenges and rewards. Following an introduction that acknowledges how few role-models…

Examines three aspects of legal treatment of blood relationships in the adoption process: (1) ability of relatives to participate in adoption proceedings; (2) how courts evaluate blood relationships in determining best interests of the child; and (3) rights of relatives to continued contact when a child is adopted by nonrelatives. (Author)

Describes efforts in Illinois to improve permanency outcomes for children in formal kinship care: the state developed Delegated Relative Authority (DRA) status for children in stable family foster care with relatives while maintaining state support in situations where adoption was unlikely. Presents findings from 1,116 feasibility assessments. (SD)

Describes a longitudinal study of permanency planning for children in kinship foster care in Erie County, New York, focusing on care duration, discharge destinations, and discharge goals. Notes that many children were adopted by or living with kin with the goal of adoption. Describes the "Kinship Options" program which strives for…

Describes the scope and circumstances of grandparents rearing grandchildren as gathered by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Grandparent Information Center. Addresses the problems facing grandparent-headed families, avenues of assistance, and public policy considerations. Also addresses major needs including support groups, legal…

Describes Project GUIDE (Grandparents United: Intergenerational Developmental Education), a five-year program for grandparents who rear their grandchildren and the children affected. Notes that the program is designed to reduce stress and enhance self-esteem of intergenerational families and is centered around eight goals. Traced the program…

Examined psychological adjustment and correlates of psychological adjustment of seventh and ninth grade students residing in two-parent nuclear families, stepfather families, and mother-custody divorced families. Adjustment related negatively to family conflict and to use of externalizing coping strategies, and positively to the family dimensions…

Introduces this special issue focusing exclusively on care for children by family relations separate from their parents (kinship care). Addresses kinship care issues of policy, practice, caregiver support and advocacy, and research. Contains general definitions, program history and development, and descriptions of the care issues explored in the…

Studied associations between type of placement in out-of-home care (kinship versus nonrelative) and selected outcomes in adulthood. Found few differences in adult functioning despite significant differences in functioning during care between children in kinship care and those in nonrelative family foster care. (Author/SD)