USE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILY STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONING TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF EUROPEAN-AMERICAN POSTDIVORCE FAMILIES

The experience of African-American families is used to inform European -American post divorce families, including stepfamilies. Strategies an d coping mechanisms that stem from a pedi-focal definition of family a nd are used in African-American families are suggested for postdivorce families to aid in their struggles with: welfare of dependent childre n, confusion about family roles and household boundaries, and the very definition of family. Implications for theory development, research, policy, and practice are included.