Using data from the German Family Panel (pairfam) based on 11,746 intergenerational family relationships, the present study examined differences in parental closeness across relations with multiple, coresidential, and non-coresidential adolescent and adult children. Replicating previous research in a multilevel analysis across families, the authors found a strong positive effect of biological descent on closeness in comparison to adoptive and steprelations; this parental favoritism toward biological offspring was partly explained by selection via parental resources and attitudes. Supplemental withinparent fixed effect analyses suggested that the relative disadvantage of stepchildren was offset by longer duration of the stepparent-stepchild relationship, lower household income, fewer children in the household, and high parental affirmation of familism.Key Words: families in middle and later life, intergenerational relations, nonresidential parents, parental investment/involvement, stepfamilies, western European families.Like many industrialized countries, Germany has witnessed an unprecedented rise in divorce rates since the 1960s (Dorbritz & Gartner, 1998) that has leveled off during the past two decades (Kneip & Bauer, 2009). The increased number of divorced parents stimulated partner markets (Stauder, 2006) such that nontraditional family types (e.g., stepfamilies with cohabiting or remarried parents) became increasingly common. On the basis of national survey data from the German Generations and Gender Survey, Steinbach (2008) estimated that in 2005 almost 25% of all children age 18 or younger were not living with both biological parents in the same household and that almost half of these children coresided with stepparents. This proportion has been increasing steadily throughout the last 20 or 30 years (Klein & Eckhard, 2004, for the United States; Teachman & Tedrow, 2008).Comparing nuclear families to less traditional family types (e.g., stepfamilies) is particularly instructive because it may shed light on the interplay of biological descent and social interaction in shaping intergenerational relations. Different family structures reflect varying degrees of biological versus social relatedness. In contrast to nuclear families, in stepfamilies there is an inherent distinction between biological and social parenthood, with at least one nonbiological-that is, social-parent who voluntarily entered into a relationship with the stepchild's parent without having necessarily chosen that particular child. Adoptive families, in which both social parents agree to take parental custody of a child, represent yet another constellation, whereas in foster families the parental role is usually limited to a certain time period.Theoretical arguments and empirical evidence support the notion that biological parent-child ties are stronger and often entail higher levels of affection than nonbiological parent-child relationships. Arguments from two theoretical approaches are especially relevant because they shed light on possible lasting differences between biological and nonbiological parent-child relations. First, sociobiologists argue that parents selectively invest their resources, such as time and support, in biological offspring in order to maximize their inclusive fitness, that is, to pass on their genes and to assure their children's success (Berger, Carlson, Bzostek, & Osborne, 2008). Second, sociological approaches, such as exchange theory, emphasize that the phase of parental caretaking is, on average, longer for biological than for social offspring, leading to higher reciprocity expectations and more cohesion within biological intergenerational relationships. Both theoretical approaches provide a sensible rationale for expecting that parents will favor biological over social offspring.In regard to stepfamilies, the literature on divorce (Amato, 2010) suggests that parents with problematic characteristics (e. …

What Narrows the Stepgap? Closeness Between Parents and Adult (Step)Children in Germany

In the UK, foster families are the most common form of care for looked after children. Research in this area has mainly concentrated on foster mothers and looked after children but little is known about the experiences of biological children in these families. This paper reports on the findings of a qualitative study that was conducted with the biological children of foster-carers within an independent foster-care agency. Using semi-structured interviews, the paper considers the perspectives of biological children and asks how they adapt to the fostering experience. Generally, they appear to view the fostering experience in a positive light. A number of strategies were adopted by the children and their families in adapting to the changing family structure and dynamics. It was evident that the existing attachment relationship between biological children and their parents formed a key context within which these adaptive functions develop. The paper emphasises the importance of recognising the role of biological children as part of the fostering team and the value of their active inclusion in training, support groups and decision making.

Hearing Quiet Voices: Biological Children's Experiences of Fostering

The relationship between foster children and carers' own offspring has been investigated in many studies within foster care. However, while general patterns and outcomes have been established, the ...

The Experience of Living with a Foster Sibling, as Described by the Birth Children of Foster Carers: A Thematic Analysis of the Literature:

Foster parent self-care: A conceptual model

Is it that we are afraid to ask? A scoping review about sons and daughters of foster parents

This study explores from a dual perspective the impact of the fostering process on biological children in the home. Ten foster parents and their biological children were interviewed separately. The impact of foster care on the psychological, educational, and social well-being of biological children and their relationship with parents and siblings were examined. The exploration reveals a paradoxical and life-changing process as seen through the eyes of biological children and their parents.

http://burnside.slimlib.com.au:81/docs/AddressingTheImpactOfFosterCareOnBiologicalChildrenAndTheirFamilies.pdf

Addressing the Impact of Foster Care on Biological Children and their Families.

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Addressing the Impact of Foster Care on Biological Children and their Families.