Marilyn Coleman

Changing Families, Changing Responsibilities: Family Obligations Following Divorce and Remarriage Marilyn Coleman 1st edition

Publisher Marketing: This book explores the topic of family obligations following changes in family structure caused by divorce and remarriage. Family obligations are commonly defined as the rights and duties that accompany family roles. They have been described as the glue that connects generations, as well as the oughts and shoulds that surround individual family relationships. This book is primarily concerned with normative beliefs about what family members should do for each other. It differs from previous accounts of family obligation norms because it specifically focuses on family responsibilities after divorce and remarriage, two events that affect an increasing number of families today. The authors draw extensively upon the findings of 13 studies of normative beliefs regarding post-divorce intergenerational family obligations. This book fills a gap in the present literature concerning family obligation. It addresses the weaknesses of prior research by focusing on family transitions and by presenting data from studies that employ contextual methods. The content will provide guidance to policymakers and helping professionals who work with families, and the unique focus and procedures of the studies are likely to set the standard for future assessments of normative beliefs about family obligations.

Contributor Bio:  Coleman, Marilyn Marilyn Coleman (Ed. D., Special Education, University of Missouri, Columbia, 1975) is Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Missouri, Columbia. She has edited the "Journal of Marriage and the Family" (1992-1995) and has served as Associate Editor of the "Home Economics Research Journal" (1987-199). Along with Lawrence H. Ganong, Dr. Coleman has overseen special issues of the "Journal of Marriage and the Family", "Family Relations", and the "Journal of Family Issues". They have also co-edited books and have written chapters for several edited books. Most of the 3 books and 130+ articles and book chapters they've co-authored have to do with some aspect of family diversity. They have conducted research on stepfamilies for 25 years. Recent work has focused on family responsibilities following divorce and remarriage and the development of stepparent-stepchild relationships. Contributor Bio:  Ganong, Lawrence Lawrence H. Ganong (Ph. D., Family Studies, University of Missouri, Columbia, 1977) is Professor in both the Sinclair School of Nursing and the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Missouri, Columbia. He has served as Associate Editor of the "Journal of Social and Personal Relationships"(2000-2003) and, along with Marilyn Coleman, has overseen special issues of the "Journal of Marriage and the Family", "Family Relations", and the "Journal of Family Issues". They have also co-edited books and have written chapters for several edited books. Most of the 3 books and 130+ articles and book chapters they've co-authored have to do with some aspect of family diversity, and they have conducted research on stepfamilies for 25 years.