The Trials and Effects of Blended Families

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A blended family is typically seen as one of divorce, or widow, and remarriage with or without kids. These types of family systems tend to face more unique challenges than most. They face struggles such as the trauma of divorce, children getting used to a new parent that has not always been around, and new siblings that have not always been around. This can cause added stress to an already stressed family system. Socioeconomic status plays a role in every family. However, in blended families is can play a more prominent role. Marrying up or down in socioeconomic status, losing an income, adding an income, and marrying out of financial necessity can all have a profound impact on the development of not only the children involved but the family as a whole. Socioeconomic status (SES) is a measurement of a combination of education, income and occupation (American Psychological Association, 2014). It is more commonly known as class standing. There is a drastic difference in lifestyle between class standings. In today’s economy it has become more evident just how different the classes are. Lower levels of SES do not have access to good schools, or decent health care leading to a worse quality of life. Higher levels of SES have access to more resources and tend to allow for children to develop self-esteem, optimism, and perceived control (American Psychological Association, 2014). The traditional family with two parents, the father works, and the mother stays more is almost nonexistent. Households where the man works and the woman stays at home only represent 7% of the U.S. population (Malone, Stewart, Wilson & Korsching, 2010). It has become increasingly more difficult to live on one income especially with children. With ... ... middle of paper ... ... http://www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/relationship_challenges/blended_families.aspx. Lewin, T. (2005, May 19). When richer weds poorer, money isn't the only difference. The new york times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/19/national/class/MARRI AGE-FINAL.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0. Public Broadcasting Service. (2004). Multigenerational families. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/americanfamily/gap/multi.html. Malone, K., Stewart, S. D., Wilson, J., & Korsching, P. F. (2010). Perceptions of financial well- being among american women in diverse families. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 31(1), 63-81. Sigelman, C., & Rider, E. (2013,2009). Life-Span, Human Development. Wadsworth: Cengage Learning. Weiten, W., Llyod, M., Dunn, D., & Hammer, E. (2009,2006). Psychology Applied to Modern Life. Wadsworth: Cangage Learning.

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