Working with families in particular circumstances

Divorce

Parents of Children with Special Needs

Teen Mothers

Families when Abuse Occurs

America and Divorce

Discussion What are some reasons you personally

might consider a divorce? Is falling out of love an appropriate reason

for wanting a divorce? What were you taught growing up about the

acceptability of divorce? YouTube - Divorce affects children!

Marriage and Divorce (2003)

60 million married couples in US 40-50% of all marriages end in divorce

Annually 2,187,000 marriages 7.5 marriages per 1000 total population

1.25 million divorces annually 3.8 divorces per 1000 total

population

Shift from agricultural to industrial societySocial integrationIndividualistic American culture Demographic factors:

Employment status IncomeEducational levelEthnicityReligion.

Factors Affecting Divorce

(Bohannan) As people divorce, they undergo these “divorces” simultaneously. EmotionalLegalEconomicCo-parentalCommunityPsychic

Stations of Divorce

Life Course Factors: Intergenerational transmission (Amato,

1996)Parental divorce increases chance of child’s

marriage ending within first five years by as much as 70%.

Increased risk of divorce is especially great if both spouses experienced parental divorce.

Effects are strongest when parents divorce early in child’s life (age 12 or younger)

Factors Affecting Divorce

Economic consequences Impoverishment of womenChanged female employment patternsFewer financial resources for family – often

leading to moves to cramped apartments and less desirable neighborhoods

Consequences of Divorce

Non-economic consequences include:More psychological distress, lower levels of

happiness, more social isolation, more health problems.

Divorced people are three times as likely to commit suicide.

Some divorced people experience higher levels of personal growth and greater autonomy.

Consequences of Divorce

Children and Divorce

Children in happy two-parent families are the best adjusted

Children in conflict-ridden two-parent families are the worst adjusted.

Children from single-parent families are in the middle.

Kids' Turn

Children of divorce suffer: Reduction of incomeWeakening ties with fathersDeterioration in family lifeLoss of “residential stability”Problems in schoolLower self-esteem Increased likelihood of drug abuseGreater likelihood of becoming teen parents

Children and Divorce

Three-Stage Process of divorce for children: Initial stage—Turmoil is greatest.Transition stage—Adjusting to new family.Restabilization stage—Integration of

changes.

Children and Divorce

Developmental tasks of divorce:Acknowledging parental separationDisengaging from parental conflictsResolving lossResolving anger and self-blameAccepting the finality of divorceAchieving realistic expectations for later

relationship success

Children and Divorce

Factors Contributing to Children’s Adjustment

Mental health of parentsQuality of parent-child relationshipsDegree of anger vs cooperationAge, temperament, and flexibility of childExtent to which parents are willing to

have the same routines for the children in each home

Adjustment to divorce:Open discussion prior to divorce Involvement with noncustodial parentLack of hostility between divorced parentsGood psychological adjustment to divorce by

custodial parentStable living situation and good parenting skills.Continued involvement with the children by

both parents

Children and Divorce

Adjustment to divorce: Not all children suffer negative

consequences.90% of children with divorced parents

achieve same level well-being as children of continuously married parents (Amato, 2003).

20-25% children from divorced families have problems (Wallerstein)

Children and Divorce

Generally based on one of 2 standards:The best interests of the childThe least detrimental of the available

alternatives.The major types of custody are sole,

joint, and split.

Child Custody

Children and Divorce

26% of children under the age of 18 live with a divorced parent.

39% of divorced women with children live in poverty

Civility among parents and assurance that both still love the children is helpful

Some need brief individual play therapy, others need family counseling

Behavior problems

Children in single-parent or remarried families do not do as well as those in non-divorced households25-30% of single-parent and divorced

households reported behavior problems, while only 10% of non-divorced households reported behavior problems with children.

20% of children in stepfamilies have behavior problems compared to 10% of children in non-divorced families.

Sole custodyAccounts for 85% of all

U.S. divorce casesWomen traditionally

have been responsible for child rearing

Many men do not feel competent

Child Custody

Joint custodyAccounts for 10% of cases.Joint legal custody

Children live primarily with one parentBoth parents share in decisions regarding the

children.Joint physical custody

Requires parents to work out practical logistics…as well as feelings about each other.

Child Custody

Split custodySplits the children between the parentsUsually girls live with mother, boys with

father

Child Custody

The effects of remarriage on children

Income is raised.Another adult is there to help.Behavior problemsBlending two families presents a new set

of challenges

Blended family issues

Loyalty is a problemMay feel guilty for bonding with a step

parentChildren often act out, won’t even try to

like a step parent.Family must incorporate new parent’s

style and rules.

The stabilization period The stepparent moves toward the role of

“intimate outsider”, which is somewhere between parent and trusted friend.

Stepparent role includesWarmth toward and support of the stepchildren.Little disciplining of the stepchildren.Support for the biological parent.Stepfathers in general tend to be less involved

than biological fathers.

Stepmother and stepfather differences

Being a stepmother can be harder than being a stepfather. In typical remarriage chains today, children live with

mother and stepfather. Typical stepmother must establish relationship during

visits.

Stepfathers compete with non-custodial fathers who may not see children very often. Often fill a vacuum left by departed biological father. May hold to a lower standard than stepmothers. Easier for children to accept two father figures than two

mother figures.

How can teachers help?

Maintain a structured environmentEncourage expression of feelings

Open up areas for discussion…Help children release pent-up feelings

Encourage acceptanceDemonstrate respect for family uniqueness

Be aware of group reactions

Working with Parents

Reassure parentsKeep requests lightBe aware of legal agreementsKnow available community resources

Working with Parents of Children with Special Needs

Individualized Educational PlansDevelop relationships based on mutual

respect Try to understand the increased stress in

the lives of parents Be hopefully realisticKnow available community resources

Working with Families when Abuse Occurs

Indicators of abusePhysicalSexualEmotionalNeglect

Reporting abuse 1-800-252-5400Create an atmosphere of trust and healingRefer families to support groups

Working with Adoptive Families

Include adoption in the curriculumTalking to familiesTalking to childrenOffer resources