Blended Family Research Paper

The Effect of Blended Families on Infancy/ Early Childhood
Coinciding with Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development, infants, who are struggling with the psychosocial crisis of trust vs. mistrust often crave security, intimacy and consistency when a new family member or structure is introduced. Developmental delays may be experienced and it is important to look for signs of “weight loss, diminished growth or unresponsiveness” (Temlock, p. 162.) Although infants do not possess the ability to cognitively recognize divorce or the formation of a blended family, they can often become nervous or insecurely attached to a biological parent as the result of the lack of trust built by the new step parent or family members. The emotional and

162.) It is necessary to provide preschoolers with a brief, concrete explanation for the changes in the family structure as many preschoolers tend to blame themselves or feel responsible for situations as they are typically egocentric at this developmental stage. It is often assumed that younger children will attach and bond more easily with the step parent or blended family structure in comparison to children at more progressed developmental stages; this implication may hold merit but unfortunately 60% of second marriages will separate or divorce within 8 years of marriage (Temlock, p. 28,) ultimately exposing a child who was initially exposed to a blended family at a young age to the painful effects of divorce and possible remarriage at an older age that often brings more adverse effects on social, emotional and psychological

When divorce and the introduction of a blended family are thrown into this already confusing period of development, adolescents tend to express anger, embarrassment and even disgust at the prospect of unwelcome change and a new family structure. Adolescents tend to be more self-absorbed in their reactions and attitudes toward divorce and remarriage because a blended family not only alters their original family model but it also often brings change regarding living arrangements, school, relationships with friends and romantic interests, work and future college plans (Temlock, p. 163.) In adolescence, teens are pushing away from their biological parents and turning to their peers for support; the concept of introducing an unfamiliar (and often unwanted) step parent into their lives often seems impossible to comprehend and adjust