National Council on Family Relations–Divorce & Stepfamily Sessions

November 5, 2013 Time:  12:00 pm – 1:45 pm   Bowie B

Stepfamilies and Coalition Governments

Presenter: Tom Blume

except from abstract…..I propose a theoretical integration that compares stepfamilies with coalition governments, suggesting that they share many developmental patterns and the factors influencing positive development or dissolution may be similar. Using political science concepts, I suggest that family adaptation to stepfamily life may be enhanced by focusing more explicitly on shifting alliances among family members and on perceived child well-being. A proposed strategy for prevention and intervention emphasizes issues of loyalty and representation in the political system of the stepfamily.