Blended Family Structure
The Blended Family Structure
Blended families are becoming increasingly more prevalent, currently accounting for 4.5% of all families with children in Australia (Australian Institute of Family Studies 2012.) A blended family, in its most basic sense, is a couple family where there are at least two children, of whom one is the natural child of the couple, and one of whom is a step child of either member of the couple (Australian Institute of Family Studies 2002). The formation of a blended family, different to that of a step family, can occur under many circumstances, and all individual members of the family are effected differently. Whilst it can be a joyous experience for many to combine their two families with positive long-term implications, it can also raise varying issues and challenges. Prevalent among these issues is the introduction of new family members and their new roles within the family, as well as adapting to new environments and the changing nature of relationships shared between parents and children and sibling-to-sibling relationships (both biological and step). These challenges and issues must be overcome in order to exist harmoniously as a family unit.
How common are blended families in Australia?
In 2012, …show more content…
The addition of new siblings can encourage and strengthen a child’s ability to form new relationships and to work through issues of conflicts such as sibling rivalry and adjustment which in turn strengthens their problem solving abilities; skills that can be of great benefit in many aspects outside the family including school, the work force and society. Silberberg 2001 explains that the challenges that a family may face can be a positive building block to forming strong and resilient relationships with one another in the future, as “being a family is not a static configuration, but a constantly evolving process”
Blended families are becoming increasingly more prevalent, currently accounting for 4.5% of all families with children in Australia (Australian Institute of Family Studies 2012.) A blended family, in its most basic sense, is a couple family where there are at least two children, of whom one is the natural child of the couple, and one of whom is a step child of either member of the couple (Australian Institute of Family Studies 2002). The formation of a blended family, different to that of a step family, can occur under many circumstances, and all individual members of the family are effected differently. Whilst it can be a joyous experience for many to combine their two families with positive long-term implications, it can also raise varying issues and challenges. Prevalent among these issues is the introduction of new family members and their new roles within the family, as well as adapting to new environments and the changing nature of relationships shared between parents and children and sibling-to-sibling relationships (both biological and step). These challenges and issues must be overcome in order to exist harmoniously as a family unit.
How common are blended families in Australia?
In 2012, …show more content…
The addition of new siblings can encourage and strengthen a child’s ability to form new relationships and to work through issues of conflicts such as sibling rivalry and adjustment which in turn strengthens their problem solving abilities; skills that can be of great benefit in many aspects outside the family including school, the work force and society. Silberberg 2001 explains that the challenges that a family may face can be a positive building block to forming strong and resilient relationships with one another in the future, as “being a family is not a static configuration, but a constantly evolving process”