Diverse Pathways to Parenthood


Book Description

Diverse Pathways to Parenthood: From Narratives to Practice is a timely contribution to the study of reproduction and parenthood. Drawing on a wide breadth of projects, this book covers topics such as first time parents, donor conception, pregnancy loss, surrogacy, lesbian, gay and/or transgender parenting, fostering and adoption, grandparenting, and human/animal kinship. By presenting individual narratives focused on reproduction and parenthood, this book successfully translates empirical research into practical, applied outcomes that will be of use for all those working in the fields of reproduction and parenthood. Including recommendations for fertility specialists, educators, child protection agencies, reproductive counselors, and policy makers, Diverse Pathways to Parenthood: From Narratives to Practice is a vital new resource that will help guide practice into the future. As a contribution to the field of critical kinship studies, this book heralds new directions for the study of kinship, by revisiting as well as reimagining how we think about, research, and respond to a diversity of kinship forms. - Includes over 70 narratives representative of hundreds of interviews collected as a part of 15 research projects undertaken over the past decade - Supported by a companion website that provides further materials and information: www.diversepathways.com - Translates critical kinship studies theory into applied tools for practice in the fields of reproduction and parenthood




Pathways and Barriers to Parenthood


Book Description

This volume explores the transition to parenthood from a holistic developmental approach, relating to barriers such as fertility problems and traumatic childbirth, as well as pathways such as positive experiences of pregnancy and childbirth. It presents an extended process, beginning with infertility issues, continuing with subjects pertaining to decisions regarding parenthood, pregnancy and birth, and ending with the early stages of parenthood from a positive psychology perspective. The volume draws on theories of resilience, meaning, terror management, and attachment, and considers psychological, sociological, legal, policy, medical, and therapy issues. It relates to the developmental needs of individuals and couples, as well as to the role played by family, society, and the media, offering a comprehensive in-depth evaluation of the latest topics.




Parenting Matters


Book Description

Decades of research have demonstrated that the parent-child dyad and the environment of the familyâ€"which includes all primary caregiversâ€"are at the foundation of children's well- being and healthy development. From birth, children are learning and rely on parents and the other caregivers in their lives to protect and care for them. The impact of parents may never be greater than during the earliest years of life, when a child's brain is rapidly developing and when nearly all of her or his experiences are created and shaped by parents and the family environment. Parents help children build and refine their knowledge and skills, charting a trajectory for their health and well-being during childhood and beyond. The experience of parenting also impacts parents themselves. For instance, parenting can enrich and give focus to parents' lives; generate stress or calm; and create any number of emotions, including feelings of happiness, sadness, fulfillment, and anger. Parenting of young children today takes place in the context of significant ongoing developments. These include: a rapidly growing body of science on early childhood, increases in funding for programs and services for families, changing demographics of the U.S. population, and greater diversity of family structure. Additionally, parenting is increasingly being shaped by technology and increased access to information about parenting. Parenting Matters identifies parenting knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with positive developmental outcomes in children ages 0-8; universal/preventive and targeted strategies used in a variety of settings that have been effective with parents of young children and that support the identified knowledge, attitudes, and practices; and barriers to and facilitators for parents' use of practices that lead to healthy child outcomes as well as their participation in effective programs and services. This report makes recommendations directed at an array of stakeholders, for promoting the wide-scale adoption of effective programs and services for parents and on areas that warrant further research to inform policy and practice. It is meant to serve as a roadmap for the future of parenting policy, research, and practice in the United States.




Lone Parenthood in the Life Course


Book Description

Lone parenthood is an increasing reality in the 21st century, reinforced by the diffusion of divorce and separation. This volume provides a comprehensive portrait of lone parenthood at the beginning of the XXI century from a life course perspective. The contributions included in this volume examine the dynamics of lone parenthood in the life course and explore the trajectories of lone parents in terms of income, poverty, labour, market behaviour, wellbeing, and health. Throughout, comparative analyses of data from countries as France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Hungary, and Australia help portray how lone parenthood varies between regions, cultures, generations, and institutional settings. The findings show that one-parent households are inhabited by a rather heterogeneous world of mothers and fathers facing different challenges. Readers will not only discover the demographics and diversity of lone parents, but also the variety of social representations and discourses about the changing phenomenon of lone parenthood. The book provides a mixture of qualitative and quantitative studies on lone parenthood. Using large scale and longitudinal panel and register data, the reader will gain insight in complex processes across time. More qualitative case studies on the other hand discuss the definition of lone parenthood, the public debate around it, and the social and subjective representations of lone parents themselves. This book aims at sociologists, demographers, psychologists, political scientists, family therapists, and policy makers who want to gain new insights into one of the most striking changes in family forms over the last 50 years. This book is open access under a CC BY License.




Parenting from the Inside Out


Book Description

An updated edition—with a new preface—of the bestselling parenting classic by the author of "BRAINSTORM: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain" In Parenting from the Inside Out, child psychiatrist Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., and early childhood expert Mary Hartzell, M.Ed., explore the extent to which our childhood experiences shape the way we parent. Drawing on stunning new findings in neurobiology and attachment research, they explain how interpersonal relationships directly impact the development of the brain, and offer parents a step-by-step approach to forming a deeper understanding of their own life stories, which will help them raise compassionate and resilient children. Born out of a series of parents' workshops that combined Siegel's cutting-edge research on how communication impacts brain development with Hartzell's decades of experience as a child-development specialist and parent educator, this book guides parents through creating the necessary foundations for loving and secure relationships with their children.




Growing Up Global


Book Description

The challenges for young people making the transition to adulthood are greater today than ever before. Globalization, with its power to reach across national boundaries and into the smallest communities, carries with it the transformative power of new markets and new technology. At the same time, globalization brings with it new ideas and lifestyles that can conflict with traditional norms and values. And while the economic benefits are potentially enormous, the actual course of globalization has not been without its critics who charge that, to date, the gains have been very unevenly distributed, generating a new set of problems associated with rising inequality and social polarization. Regardless of how the globalization debate is resolved, it is clear that as broad global forces transform the world in which the next generation will live and work, the choices that today's young people make or others make on their behalf will facilitate or constrain their success as adults. Traditional expectations regarding future employment prospects and life experiences are no longer valid. Growing Up Global examines how the transition to adulthood is changing in developing countries, and what the implications of these changes might be for those responsible for designing youth policies and programs, in particular, those affecting adolescent reproductive health. The report sets forth a framework that identifies criteria for successful transitions in the context of contemporary global changes for five key adult roles: adult worker, citizen and community participant, spouse, parent, and household manager.




Families in America


Book Description

Historical and contemporary perspectives on families -- Pathways to family formation -- Union dissolution and repartnering -- Adult and child well-being in families -- Family policy issues : domestic and international perspectives




The Hysterectomy Handbook


Book Description

Are you considering a hysterectomy but don't know where to start? Look no further than "The Hysterectomy Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide." This short read book is packed with all the information you need to make an informed decision about this life-changing procedure. In the introduction, you'll learn the basics of what a hysterectomy is and why it matters. You'll also get a brief history of hysterectomy, giving you a deeper understanding of its significance in women's healthcare. The book then dives into the different types of hysterectomy, including total hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy, and robotic hysterectomy. Each type is explained in detail, allowing you to understand which one may be right for you. Next, the book explores the various reasons for hysterectomy, such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, abnormal uterine bleeding, and cancer. You'll gain insight into why these conditions may necessitate a hysterectomy and what you can expect during the procedure. Preparing for a hysterectomy is crucial, and this book provides a comprehensive guide on how to do so. From medical evaluations and pre-operative testing to medications, diet, exercise, and emotional preparation, you'll be fully equipped to face the procedure with confidence. The book then delves into the hysterectomy procedure itself, covering anesthesia options, surgical techniques, risks, complications, and recovery time. You'll gain a clear understanding of what to expect during and after the surgery. Recovery after a hysterectomy can be challenging, but this book offers guidance on managing pain and discomfort, post-operative care, and returning to daily activities. It also explores hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after hysterectomy, discussing the benefits, risks, and different types of HRT available. If you're looking for alternatives to hysterectomy, this book has you covered. It explores medications, uterine artery embolization, endometrial ablation, and myomectomy as potential options. Coping with the emotional effects of hysterectomy is also addressed, along with support groups and advice on intimacy and sexuality after the procedure. Long-term health considerations, such as bone health, cardiovascular health, sexual health, and psychological health, are also discussed. The book also covers the impact of hysterectomy on fertility, fertility preservation options, surrogacy, adoption, and the cost and insurance coverage of the procedure. Legal issues surrounding hysterectomy, such as informed consent, medical malpracticeTable of Contents: Introduction What is a hysterectomy? Brief history of hysterectomy Why hysterectomy matters Types of Hysterectomy Total hysterectomy Partial hysterectomy Laparoscopic hysterectomy Robotic hysterectomy Reasons for Hysterectomy Uterine fibroids Endometriosis Pelvic inflammatory disease Abnormal uterine bleeding Cancer Preparing for Hysterectomy Medical evaluation Pre-operative testing Medications Diet and exercise Emotional preparation Hysterectomy Procedure Anesthesia options Surgical techniques Risks and complications Recovery time Recovery After Hysterectomy Hospital stay Managing pain and discomfort Post-operative care Returning to daily activities Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) After Hysterectomy What is HRT? Benefits of HRT Risks of HRT Types of HRT Alternative Treatments to Hysterectomy Medications Uterine artery embolization Endometrial ablation Myomectomy Coping with Hysterectomy Emotional effects Support groups Intimacy and sexuality after hysterectomy Long-Term Health After Hysterectomy Bone health Cardiovascular health Sexual health Psychological health Hysterectomy and Fertility Impact on fertility Fertility preservation options Surrogacy and adoption Cost and Insurance Coverage of Hysterectomy Cost of hysterectomy Insurance coverage Government assistance programs Legal Issues Surrounding Hysterectomy Informed consent Medical malpractice Discrimination Hysterectomy and Cancer Hysterectomy for cancer treatment Hysterectomy for cancer prevention Recovery and follow-up care The Future of Hysterectomy Advancements in surgical techniques Emerging alternatives to hysterectomy The role of hysterectomy in women's healthcare Conclusion The impact of hysterectomy on women's health The future of hysterectomy Final thoughts and recommendations.




What is Parenthood?


Book Description

Extraordinary changes in patterns of family life—and family law—have dramatically altered the boundaries of parenthood and opened up numerous questions and debates. What is parenthood and why does it matter? How should society define, regulate, and support it? Is parenthood separable from marriage—or couplehood—when society seeks to foster children’s well-being? What is the better model of parenthood from the perspective of child outcomes? Intense disagreements over the definition and future of marriage often rest upon conflicting convictions about parenthood. What Is Parenthood? asks bold and direct questions about parenthood in contemporary society, and it brings together a stellar interdisciplinary group of scholars with widely varying perspectives to investigate them. Editors Linda C. McClain and Daniel Cere facilitate a dynamic conversation between scholars from several disciplines about competing models of parenthood and a sweeping array of topics, including single parenthood, adoption, donor-created families, gay and lesbian parents, transnational parenthood, parent-child attachment, and gender difference and parenthood.




Queer Entanglements


Book Description

This book explores LGBQTNB people's relationships with animals, examining a complex menagerie of human-animal relationships.