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Please write a Paragraph answering to this discussion below with your opinion. Please include citations and references in case of another source.

Blending families following second marriages can be challenging. This is because “values and beliefs from the past must integrate within the present union” (Edelman & Kudzma, 2018). When talking about the family unit, it is believed that the best way to view health for the family is to understand that each person is not viewed as an individual, but instead seen as a part of the whole unit. Each family member has roles and relationships with each other that is individual from the other.

Families who come together after remarriage must work diligently and together to become a functional, cohesive unit. The manner in which the parents cope with stress and difficult situations will affect how the children react to the stress and difficulty. It is up the parents to manage stress appropriately in order that they model effective coping skills to the children of the blended family. “How parents cope during the situational crisis, as well as after the divorce, is a significant variable in long-term individual and family adjustment” (Edelman & Kudzma, 2018).

The adults in the family must learn to meld different views, personalities and expectations in order to make the family unit work. These new families can develop “meaningful communication, provide support, security and encouragement and have mutual respect for individuality” (Edelman & Kudzma, 2018). These factors will increase family strength.

If each of the parents can be understanding and patient with each other and each others children, the family can function appropriately as one with fewer challenges. This includes understanding that if the children live between two households, there will be behavioral changes and confusion for the children with expectations. There will also be shifting of roles and responsibilities that the children will have to face between the different households.

So long as there is “effective communication, ability to express emotions, responsiveness to needs of members as individuals, and problem solving ability” (Edelman & Kudzma, 2018) the family can function as one with less complication.

References

Edelman, C., & Kudzma, E. C., (2018). Health Promotion: Throughout the Life Span. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.