Stepfamilies

Abstract

Contents: Preface. Part I: Marriages That Create Stepfamilies--Why Do They Occur? Fail? Succeed? D. Popenoe, The Evolution of Marriage and the Problem of Stepfamilies: A Biosocial Perspective. M. Coleman, Stepfamilies in the United States: Challenging Biased Assumptions. L.A. Kurdek, Remarriages and Stepfamilies Are Not Inherently Problematic. N.D. Glenn, Biology, Evolutionary Theory, and Family Social Science. Part II: How Do Stepfamilies Function as Childrearing Organizations? E.M. Hetherington, K.M. Jodl, Stepfamilies as for Child Development. P.R. Amato, The Implications of Research Findings on Children in Stepfamilies. E. Thomson, Settings and Development From a Demographic Point of View. N. Zill, Understanding Why Children in Stepfamilies Have More Learning and Behavior Problems Than Children in Nuclear Families. Part III: How Do Stepfamilies Function as Sources of Support? L. White, Stepfamilies Over the Life Course: Social Support. T.M. Cooney, Conceptual and Methodological Issues in the Study of Stepfamilies Over the Life Course. D.P. Hogan, Stepfamilies: Selectivity of High-Risk Persons or Risk State? J.A. Seltzer, Intergenerational Ties in Adulthood and Childhood Experience. Part IV: Building Research and Policy Agendas--What Is Needed? J. Brooks-Gunn, Research on Stepparenting Families: Integrating Disciplinary Approaches and Informing Policy. M.M. Mahoney, Reformulating the Legal Definition of the Stepparent-Child Relationship. M.A. Fine, Social Policy Pertaining to Stepfamilies: Should Stepparents and Stepchildren Have the Option of Establishing a Legal Relationship? P.L. Chase-Lansdale, Policies for Stepfamilies: Crosswalking Private and Public Domains. J. Dunn, A. Booth, Stepfamilies: An Overview.