Week 8 Overview Extended Stepfamily Constellations: Relat ✓ Solved

In week 8, you will be asked to read chapter 9, the article by Adcox on "Advice for Stepgrandparents," and complete two discussion board posts and one reflection assignment. By the end of this week, students will:

  • Define and apply social identity theory as it relates to stepgrandparents

  • Define and apply social ecology theory as it relates to stepgrandparents

  • Discuss the dominant social myths about stepgrandparents

Grandparents offer an opportunity to make family connections and are often able to provide positive caregiving, be playmates, advisors, and friends. As a counselor, your role is to help the stepfamily examine and discuss roles, identities both shared and singular, boundaries, conflicts, and expectations to move towards a healthy family perception.

The social myths many stepgrandparents hold about their roles can impact the forming stepfamily. Your role as counselor is to tell them their story and help re-story the myths for a positive outcome.

To begin the process of re-authoring the myths about stepfamilies and grandparents, one must pull from narrative theory, which emphasizes understanding lives through the stories we tell. It is essential to empathize with the feelings and experiences of the grandparents. The narratives presented provide insights into their challenges and feelings.

You are encouraged to reflect on a narrative shared in your readings to understand the grandparent's perspective: Carolyn Barnabo reflects on her experiences as a step-grandparent, noting the unique challenges and opportunities of her position.

Paper For Above Instructions

In recent years, the dynamics of modern families, particularly stepfamilies, have garnered significant attention in sociological research and counseling practices. This paper focuses on the role of stepgrandparents within extended stepfamilies, elucidating the importance of relationships forged through social identity and ecology theories, as well as addressing prevalent social myths associated with stepgrandfamilies.

Understanding the Role of Stepgrandparents

Stepgrandparents are largely defined as the biological parents of a stepparent, who enter the lives of their stepgrandchildren following the establishment of a stepfamily. These relationships can be complex due to pre-existing family dynamics and the nuanced roles adopted post-divorce or separation. Understanding a stepgrandparent's role is essential in counseling as it aligns with social identity theory, which emphasizes how individuals define their identities within various social contexts (Bengtson & Oyama, 2010).

Applying Social Identity Theory

Social identity theory posits that the identity of individuals is influenced by their group memberships and the associated social roles (Timonen & Arber, 2012). For stepgrandparents, navigating their new roles can involve feelings of uncertainty and a sense of being an outsider. The intragroup differentiation within families often leads to an 'us versus them' mentality that can cause emotional distress, particularly for children caught in the middle (Dunifon & Bajracharya, 2012). However, stepgrandparents can play a critical role in normalizing relationships and fostering connections within the blended family. By becoming active participants in family narratives, stepgrandparents can help reshape the stories that influence family dynamics.

Social Ecology Theory in Stepfamily Dynamics

Social ecology theory expands the understanding of relationships by examining how environmental factors influence family dynamics (Blundon, 2013). Within stepfamilies, the immediate environment of a child significantly impacts their social interactions and emotional development. Stepgrandparents often contribute positively to these dynamics by offering stability and support, highlighting their role as caregivers and mentors. They can bridge connections and reduce potential conflicts arising from new familial structures.

Addressing Social Myths about Stepfamilies

Numerous social myths about stepgrandparents persist, impacting the recognition and validation of their roles. Key myths include the assumption that grandparent roles do not change post-divorce, or that all grandparents will automatically bond with stepgrandchildren (Attar-Schwartz & Fuller-Thomson, 2017). Disrupting these myths is paramount in counseling, as it allows stepfamilies to reframe their experiences and build healthier relationships. Understanding that loyalty conflicts can emerge between biological grandparents and stepparents is crucial in addressing tensions within these dynamics (Doyle et al., 2010).

Narrative Therapy and Its Applications

Narrative therapy presents an effective approach for stepfamilies. This therapeutic method allows individuals to tell their stories, helping them to re-author their experiences and reshape perceptions (Hakoyama & MaloneBeach, 2013). As counselors, facilitating the sharing of narratives among stepgrandparents fosters empathy, promoting connection and understanding among all family members. This method emphasizes that the narratives we contribute to our family histories can significantly influence our interactions and emotional bonds (Xu, Silverstein & Chi, 2014).

Conclusion

The role of stepgrandparents in today's stepfamilies is multifaceted, influenced by social identity and ecology theories. These relationships are essential for developing a cohesive family unit capable of overcoming challenges and embracing the complexity inherent in blended families. By dispelling harmful myths and encouraging the sharing of personal narratives, counselors can promote healthier interactions and foster supportive environments for stepgrandparents and their grandchildren. The integration of supportive practices, characterized by frequent, meaningful interactions, can ultimately lead to lasting bonds that enrich the fabric of stepfamily life.

References

  • Bengtson, V. L., & Oyama, P. S. (2010). Intergenerational solidarity and conflict. In Intergenerational Solidarity (pp. 35-52). Palgrave Macmillan.

  • Dunifon, R., & Bajracharya, A. (2012). The Role of Grandparents in the Lives of Youth. Journal of Family Issues, 33(9), 1168-1194.

  • Attar-Schwartz, S., & Fuller-Thomson, E. (2017). Adolescents' closeness to paternal grandmothers in the face of parents' divorce. Children and Youth Services Review, 77, 118-126.

  • Doyle, M., O’Dywer, C., & Timonen, V. (2010). The Reshaping of Paternal Grandparent–Grandchild Relationships Following Divorce. Family Relations, 59(5), 587-598.

  • Blundon, A. (2013). The Role of Grandparents in Rural Transformation. Transgressions: Cultural Studies and Education.

  • Hakoyama, M., & MaloneBeach, E. E. (2013). Predictors of grandparent–grandchild closeness: An ecological perspective. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 11(1), 32-49.

  • Xu, L., Silverstein, M., & Chi, I. (2014). Emotional closeness between grandparents and grandchildren in rural China. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 12(3), 226-240.

  • Timonen, V., & Arber, S. (2012). Introduction: A new look at grandparenting. In Contemporary Grandparenting (pp. 1-27). Policy Press.

  • Moffatt, K., David, J., & Baecker, R. M. (2013). Connecting grandparents and grandchildren. In Connecting Families.

  • Verywell Family. (2020). What Keeps Grandparents and Grandchildren Close?