BEYOND THE NUCLEAR FAMILY - RESOURCES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PEDIATRICIANS

This article emphasizes the importance of understanding how families i n the United States are changing, the many different family profiles, and how these changes impact on children. Children deal with complicat ed families and relationships, and their health and well-being are pro foundly affected by these forces and dynamics. Pediatricians need to u nderstand the diverse family forms and environments to better care for children and their families. Special attention is paid to single-pare nt households and stepfamilies in discussing significant features that need to be understood and specific ways in which pediatricians can be useful both generally and in special situations.