Study_Questions_Parent_Relations

Chapter 6 1) What do you learn about “open adoption” and about children born via sperm donor in Box 6-1' Birth parents/parents have shared knowledge and continued contact. Child knows everything, birth parents become real figures in child’s life. 2) What are the four decision-making patterns identified by the Cowans concerning the transition to parenthood' How did these patterns relate to marital satisfaction following the birth of a baby in their study' Planners, Acceptance of fate, Ambivalent, Yes-no. 3) In the study cited at the bottom of p. 214, what percent of births was unintended' 1/3. What are some differences between mothers and children when births are unintended, vs. planned' Less happy, prone to depression, less time spent with them, spankings, less supportive. 4) What were the differences between children who were wanted and unwanted that emerged in a long-term study in Czechoslaviakia' Document differences across the developmental periods studied. Unwanted children had fewer friends, more behavior problems, less enjoyment in life, less happy with jobs, conflict with coworkers. 5) Note that the first two subsections under “Transition to Parenting” (pp. 215-218) really should be labeled “Parents who Planned”. In the first subsection titled “Healthy Lifestyles”, the text gives you some details about three major components to a healthy lifestyle. What are these and what are the primary pieces of advice about each' Exercise, healthy eating habits, and avoidance of dangerous substances. 6) In the second subsection titled “Experiences in the Transition”, the text provides information about highlights of each “trimester” (3 month segment) of pregnancy. What are these' What do you learn about discrepancies in the experience of mothers and fathers during pregnancy' Fear of miscarriage, stress, restless sleep. Recollection of own childhood, thoughts about brothers or sisters, thoughts of own relationships. Thoughts on the birth, women become more dependent on others, fathers feel left out. 7) What are characteristics of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting of teenage mother on average' Know some risk and protective factors for children of adolescent mothers (Table 6-2). Young mothers have early discipline problems, early maturation, more birth complications (low birth weight, gynecological problems), less stable environments, lack male support characters, children suffer greater academic problems. Living in poverty, birth complications, poor parenting from mothers. Being a boy, having adaptive temperaments, mother having high self esteem. 8) What are characteristics of pregnancy and parenting of older mother on average' Know some suggestions for older parents (Table 6-3). Spontaneous abortions, LBW babies, stable marriages, more experience in life. Suggestions: be open to kids about age, make special effort to understand child’s world, stay physically fit and energetic. 9) What percentage of fathers in nonmarital births established paternity between 1998 and 2000' What benefits does establishing paternity appear to have' What benefits does contact with a father appear to have for children in these situations' 69%. Increasing contact benefits the child, provides life skills, parenting information, and psychological support. 10) How is infertility defined and how common is it' Failure to conceive after one year of unprotected sex. 91% of couples will conceive after second year of trying. 11) How do parenting behaviors and child outcomes compare between parents who conceive naturally vs. through ART' Mothers in donor insemination families were warmer, more sensitive, and more responsive. Fathers in DIF were more detached in discipline. More positive parenting styles, more emotionally involved, high psychological well-being. 12) What do we know about the impact of open adoption on parents (both adoptive and biological) and children' Birth mothers show better adjustment when remain in contact. Adoptive parents less fear that they might lose children. Children in open adoptions appear to have fewer problem. 13) What are the special challenges of adopting children when the adoption is transracial or international' What parenting behaviors help with formation of a family ethnic identify' Identity confusion, international adoption regulations, new ethnic identity. Greater openness about adoption and greater awareness of adoption process. 14) What is the general advice about when to tell children they are adopted' What is the overall conclusion about parenting behaviors of adoptive parents compared to other parents' Tell in toddler or preschool years. Adoptive parents should cope best and sympathize with child’s desires and their sense of identity. Self-confidence and own parenting skills and know when to listen and set limits. 15) What are the major contributors to marital satisfaction after the birth of a baby' Parent’s agreement on role arrangements, couple’s ability to communicate with each other. 16) What are the primary concerns / challenges reported by new mothers and new fathers' Tiredness, loss of sleep, husband’s needs, inadequate as a mother, adjustment to new responsibilities, loss of daily routine, ignorance of amount of baby work, financial worries. 17) What are the seven important “dimensions underlying the transition to parenthood” (i.e., factors that affect the difficulty of adjustment) identified in your text' (Note that the table lists things like “attitude” or “expectations”– you need to know what attitudes or expectations help or hurt the transition.) What are some recommendations to couples for easing the transition' Capacity to balance individuality and mutuality, communication skills of both parents, attitude (+, -) in confronting situations and people, expectation about what baby will bring, sharing of workload that works with couple’s beliefs and gender roles, come to terms with patterns of behavior learned in the families of origin, manage conflict. Share expectations, regular checkups, talk to each other, agendas, don’t ignore sex and intimacy, talk to friends, balance your needs ,and baby’s. 18) What are some special strengths of and challenges for couples who adopt, in making the transition to parenthood' How about for couples who give birth prematurely' What is Kangaroo care, and what do intervention studies show about its effect on infants' Parents tend to be older, more stable environments. Dealing with hospital personel, medical people, medical status of child. Skin to skin care between mother and infant for at least an hour a day for two weeks. Increases mother’s sensitivities to infant, affectionate touching between parent and child, more confidence in parenting skills.