Diverse Family Forms and Children's Well‐Being
Title
Diverse Family Forms and Children's Well‐Being
Author
Powell, Brian
Tabor, Jaclyn A.
Miller, Lisa R.
Research Area
Development
Topic
Developmental Contexts
Abstract
The relationship between family structure and children's well‐being has been the subject of an extensive body of family scholarship that continues to grow. Amidst the worldwide diversification of families, scholars have grappled with how to make sense of the emergence and proliferation of “alternative” family forms—those differing from the “traditional families,” or what has been referred to as the Standard North American Family. This essay explores the literature on several of these alternative family forms, focusing on including single‐parent, stepparent, and cohabiting families, older‐parent families, adoptive families, same‐sex families, and multiracial families. The authors next identify six key areas for social scientists to consider when assessing the implications of diversifying family structures for children.