Family Experiencing Transitions

The traditional American family has experienced dramatic changes in structure and dynamic patterns of functioning over the past 60 years. Developmental patterns related to love, intimacy, and relationship have shifted significantly. This entry explores the impact of environmental, economic, and social shifts on the family and examines how families can successfully adapt to change. The relationship to the field of life transitions counseling is explored, and theories and interventions useful to those working in the field of families in life transitions are discussed.

Entrance into a committed relationship, marriage, and first parenting have been delayed for both genders, and increased numbers of individuals remain single by choice. Most striking of all recent U.S. Census statistics is the 22% increase in one-parent families with children under 18 ...