Diverse Family Structures

What is “family” anyway? Family is a space, a connectivity that brings safety and security (Glass & Few-Demo, 2013). “Diverse family structures” has become a catch-phrase for any family that might not fit into the normative “example” of the “mom, dad, 2.5 kids, and white picket fence”. Most families, if not all families, do include an element that makes them unique. Uniqueness within families could include stigma based on family form or identity, challenges with resources, lack of acknowledgement, or misunderstanding.

The definition of family can vary by choice or circumstance. Some cultures and communities have incorporated families of choice or fictive kinships into their definition of families (e.g., LGBTQ families, African American families, elderly individuals, those in residential treatment programs, as well as individuals from different cultures) (Reczek, 2020; Stewart, 2007). Some families have multiple “subsystems” as a result of divorce, remarriage, or an integration of multiple generations (Papernow, 2018). Single-parent homes are represented by those that are single by choice and those that may be temporarily or more recently single (due to separation, divorce, or death) (Whisenhunt et al., 2019). Some families describe themselves outside of monogamy (Kisler & Lock, 2019). This list does not even touch the surface of the millions of ways that people experience “family.”

As a family therapist, you will be presented with multiple family forms regularly (Kenney & Kenny, 2012; Papernow, 2017; Reczek, 2020). As systemic thinkers, you must include the client’s definition and perspective of the family into your work. It honors the individual and the family.

Consider families and systems from multiple perspectives and create a presentation on “multiple family forms”. Your audience is a family studies class, and you are generating an introduction to multiple-family forms. You will include in your presentation a description of each of the following families and a brief discussion on approaching these different family forms as an MFT:

Stepfamilies/Blended families
Divorced/Dual custody families
LGBTQ families
Single-parent families
Families without children
Multigenerational families
Families of choice/fictive kinships
Polyamorous families

In addition to examining these family types (stepfamilies/blended families, divorced/dual custody families, LGBTQ families, single-parent families, families without children, multigenerational families, families of choice/fictive kinship, polyamorous families), pick one other family type to discuss

Each family structure will include a definition and/or description about each “family type”. Additionally, each slide will bring in possible unique aspects (challenges, experiences, strengths) of the family form that MFTs should consider (for example, with stepfamilies, MFTs might need to consider how the parent and step-parent decide to parent and how the MFT can support this or with fictive kinships the therapist may need to include these members in family therapy).