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16 - Understanding Parenting through a Family Systems Lens

from Part III - Parental Factors That Impact Parenting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2022

By
Carolyn S. Henry
Edited by
Amanda Sheffield Morris  and
Julia Mendez Smith
Amanda Sheffield Morris
Affiliation:
Oklahoma State University
Julia Mendez Smith
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Greensboro
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Summary

This chapter provides an overview of understanding parenting using a family systems lens with consideration of diversity in family structures as well as adversity and resilience using the example of poverty. First, an overview of key concepts in systems perspectives is introduced. Second, family adaptive systems are presented as a promising guide to family systems to guide parenting. Third, examples of using a systems lens to understand parenting are provided, focusing on variation in family forms and the ecosystem stressor of poverty as a form of adversity, and resilience. Selected recommendations for advancing parenting research and practice are highlighted.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Parenting , pp. 353 - 374
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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