Characteristics and Tasks of Step Families

Characteristics and Tasks of Families

Name
Institution

Outline
Characteristics and Tasks of Step-families
Characteristics of Step-families
Tasks of step-families
Social work implications
References

Characteristics and Tasks of Step-families
Characteristics of Step-families
There are several characteristics of the step-families. Firstly, the family starts after experiencing several changes and losses. The children may lack maximum time with their parents. Both grownups and children might be introduced to different lifestyles. The children might experience lack of attention from their remarried parents. (Turunen, 2013).
Secondly, the children and grownups unite with diverse matrimonial, family, and personal patterns of life. These are experienced where the wife and the husband have contrasting desires. Thirdly, the children and grownups have anticipations from the preceding families. They may be accompanied with their values and procedures of performing tasks to the new families (Turunen, 2013).
Fourthly, the relationships between the parents and children attempt to win the relationship of the new couple. Fifthly, there is a biological parent who can persuade the individuals of the family. Sixthly, if the children are in touch with their biological parents, then, these children belong to two families. Lastly, there is minimal lawful connection between the step-children and step-parents (Ashford & Lecroy, 2010).
Tasks of Step-families
For a contented family to exist, there are several undertakings that need to be met. To start with, the family should solve the issue of losses and variations. This would help each family member to forget the former circumstances and adapt the current family life (Turunen, 2013). There are strategies to solve this problem: 1. Allowing the induced change to occur steadily. 2. Ensuring that all family members go for that change. 3. Appreciating for the lack of safety that is associated with change. 3. Updating children on strategies concerning them. 4. Helping children to communicate their feelings. 5. Reading family books. 6. Identifying everybody’s losses is important. 7. Underpinning the expression of unhappiness.
Next, various desires of development should be discussed. Plans to achieve that include: 1.Discussing of the incompatible desires. 2. Conversing Individual desires openly. 3. Developing broadmindedness and suppleness. 4. Appreciating validation of various stages of life for children and grownups (Turunen, 2013).
Another task involves the creation of new traditions. The concerned plans include: 1.Taking time for crucial events only. 2. Identifying varied ways, “wrong” or “correct”. 3. Gradual imposing of discipline by parents. 4. Retaining/combining the necessary rituals. 5. Using family meetings for solving problems and giving approvals. The next task involves strengthening of the bond between the couple. The concerned plans include: 1.Solving money issues together (Turunen, 2013). 2. Upholding each other with children. 3. Deciding general family regulations together. 3. Naturturing the couple relationship. 4. Planning to have “good” time. 5. Anticipating and admitting diverse parent-child emotions.
Consequently, the family has a task of creating a new relationship. The underpinning plans include: 1.Overcoming the previous memories. 2. Avoiding of anticipating for abrupt love and variations. 3. Treating stepchildren fairly even if caring has not developed fully. 4. Having a common fun. 5. Giving Stepparent-stepchild association some gap.
Forming a parenting partnership is another task. To alleviate the grownups’ fears of children’s acceptance of parents and stepparents, the family should have an unbiased business-related association. A good communication to the divorced parents helps children to increase their self-worthiness and feel loved. On top of that, admitting continuous alterations in the family should be implemented. Lastly, the family should risk its involvement regardless of inadequate support from the community (Ashford & Lecroy, 2010).
Social work implications
The blended families are different from genetic, customary, and nuclear families. It is paramount for a stepfamily to admit that is a varied family so that it can develop valid anticipations and consequential approval. To develop a compact and pleasant relationship, a step family requires time. It is inadequate to enter a stepfamily anticipating for instantaneous love and recognition. Commitment and caring are necessary for building a stepfamily. The grownups should be patient and magnanimous to make both ends meet (Ashford & Lecroy, 2010).

References
Ashford, J. B., & Lecroy, C. W. (2010).Human behavior in the social environment: A multidimensional perspective .Retrieved from htt://www.coursesmart.com/
Turunen, J. (2013). Family structure, Gender, and Adolescent Emotional Well-Being:
Journal of Divorce and Marriage, 54(6), 476-504.

References: Ashford, J. B., & Lecroy, C. W. (2010).Human behavior in the social environment: A multidimensional perspective .Retrieved from htt://www.coursesmart.com/ Turunen, J. (2013). Family structure, Gender, and Adolescent Emotional Well-Being: Journal of Divorce and Marriage, 54(6), 476-504.