Gloria Messick Svare

Stepparents De Facto Parents or Legal Strangers

In most states, stepparents have little or no legal decision-making authority. Stepchildren do not receive the legal recognition as dependents that triggers a safety net in the event of death or divorce, nor do former stepparents have the legal right to visitation or custody. However, the lack of legal recognition of the stepparent role may not reflect the reality of contemporary stepfamilies. This article examines stepfamily functioning with the aim of creating a new policy orientation. We draw on both the National Survey of Families and Households and an in-depth study of 27 stepfamilies to investigate the everyday functioning of stepparents with regard to caregiving tasks, discipline, distribution of economic resources, attitudes toward legal status, and perception of parental roles. The findings support a new policy initiative that would legally recognize stepparents as de facto parents for a variety of purposes.In most states, stepparents have little or no legal decision-making authority. Stepchildren do not receive the legal recognition as dependents that triggers a safety net in the event of death or divorce, nor do former stepparents have the legal right to visitation or custody. However, the lack of legal recognition of the stepparent role may not reflect the reality of contemporary stepfamilies. This article examines stepfamily functioning with the aim of creating a new policy orientation. We draw on both the National Survey of Families and Households and an in-depth study of 27 stepfamilies to investigate the everyday functioning of stepparents with regard to caregiving tasks, discipline, distribution of economic resources, attitudes toward legal status, and perception of parental roles. The findings support a new policy initiative that would legally recognize stepparents as de facto parents for a variety of purposes.

Stepparents on Stepparenting

Abstract Stepparents vary widely in the extent to which they are involved in parenting their stepchildren. This paper reports results from a qualitative study of stepparenting approaches. In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 stepparents and their spouses. These stepparents described four distinct approaches related to handling discipline, spending time with their children, and defining themselves as a parent figure. Each approach was constructed in response to needs of the spouse, children, and stepparent, and the involvement of the non-residential parent. Although stepparenting approaches were associated with different levels of involvement in parenting, in each approach stepparents were filling a gap in the family created by divorce.

It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

Abstract Research on stepchildren has often focused on outcomes that are related to growing up in a stepfamily. These studies are crucial for identifying at-risk behaviors, but they do not stem from issues stepchildren have identified as important. Responses from 36 young adult stepchildren regarding the best and worst parts of stepfamily life are described. Three themes were identified as the best part of growing up in a stepfamily: emotional resources, material resources and personal growth. Five themes were identified as the worst: emotional stress, divided loyalties between two families, loss, changes, and that the stepparent was not really a parent. The next step is to examine the relationship between the quality of the stepparent-stepchild relationship and perceived personal competence of stepchildren at young adulthood.

Going Below the Tip of the Iceberg: Social Work, Religion, and Spirituality

Abstract The discrepancy between the spiritual beliefs and practices of the general population and the willingness of social workers to address them can limit effective practice. A critical factor inhibiting the use of spirituality is the inaccurate impression that various religious beliefs conflict with the philosophy and values of social work. This paper proposes a cross‐cultural model that can be used to increase the comfort of social workers in integrating the spiritual dimension of clients’ lives in practice. The paper then applies the model to the assessment of clients who hold a belief within each of four faith traditions, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestant Christianity.

Introducing Simultaneous Equation Modeling for Social Work Research: A Theoretical Approach to Examining Complex Social Problems

Abstract Social science researchers generally use simple, single equation descriptions of complex social problems. More accurate descriptions would portray the joint dependency among a models variables by using a separate equation for each dependent variable. When the parameters of these more accurately described models are estimated with ordinary least squares (OLS), the resulting estimates do not have good statistical properties. A two-stage least squares procedure to estimate the parameters of simultaneous equation models is described using an example about heavy workplace drinking and the social climate at work. In addition, this article defines key concepts related to simultaneous equation modeling and provides an interpretation of the results for practitioners.

Drinking in Young Adulthood

Abstract The paper explores the relationship between various demographic measures, familial relationship quality measures and drinking behaviors among young adult stepchildren using data collected in personal interviews. In particular, it addresses the influence of the young adult stepchilds attachment to the stepparent relative to drinker status (current drinker vs. abstainer), drinking frequency, average drinks per occasion and incidences of heavy drinking (five or more drinks per occasion for males and four or more drinks per occasion for females). The paper reports on a series of analyses, including logistical and Tobit regression models. Results indicate that stepparent relationships are positively related to young adult drinking. Possible explanations for these findings are explored.

Poverty: Implications and Strategic Options for Applied Psychologists, Clinicians, and Service Providers

Poverty is associated with both low education and adverse health outcomes for all demographic groups. This chapter examines the federal definition of poverty and recent statistics on the incidence of poverty rates within the United States. Section I of the chapter examines statistical evidence relevant to the causes, duration, and consequences of poverty. Section II examines the question: Why is it so difficult to achieve good outcomes for individuals with low income and low levels of education? The chapter concludes with a discussion of five pathways by which system-level issues constrain individual decisions and behaviors, as well as the implications of these constraints for professionals providing services to individuals and families with low levels of income and education.

Conceptualizing Quality of Life Among Older Adults in Guardianship: Guardians and Elder Law Attorneys Talk About QOL and Spirituality

As the population ages and greater numbers of older adults enter the guardianship system, outcome measures are needed that capture the dimensions of quality of life that are relevant for this population. To explore definitions of quality of life, focus groups were conducted with elder law attorneys and guardians (N = 21). Based on prior research, participants were asked about spirituality as it pertains to quality of life. Analysis yielded seven themes. Participants identified choice as central to quality of life. Choice allowed incapacitated older adults to engage in relationships and activities that are important to them and thereby increase hope, purpose, and meaning in life.