CFD 1230 Lecture 2: Parents and Children in Various Family Structures
Document Summary
Parents and children in varied family contexts: strengths & challenges of families, affected by divorce, adolescent single parents, immigrant families, military families, headed by gay or lesbian parents, headed by custodial grandparents, with adopted children. Adoption today: fewer children available for adoption, the foster care system has become the source of many adoptions. Factors associated with more positive outcomes for these children: parental support, authoritative parenting, greater closeness to grandparents, less economic disadvantage, more family stability, fewer moves and family disruptions. Increasing the competence of teenage parents: factors increasing the competence of teenage mothers, secure attachment to parents, social support from family and/or community, father involvement, graduating from high school. Factors that increase the competence of teenage fathers: strengthening earning power through education and job training, encouraging a positive relationship with the mother of their children, even in no longer in a relationship with the mother.