How dual-earner adoptive couples distribute family labor responsibilities in special-needs adoptive

232 Pages·2017·5.93 MB·English

Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and
Retrospective Theses and Dissertations
Dissertations
2002
How dual-earner adoptive couples distribute family
labor responsibilities in special-needs adoptive
placements
Darren Anthony Wozny
Iowa State University
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Recommended Citation
Wozny, Darren Anthony, "How dual-earner adoptive couples distribute family labor responsibilities in special-needs adoptive
placements " (2002).Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 411.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/411
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How dual-earner adoptive couples distribute family labor responsibilities
in special-needs adoptive placements
by
Darren Anthony Wozny
A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Major: Human Development and Family Studies (Marriage and Family Therapy)
Program of Study Committee:
Sedahlia Jasper Crase, Co-major Professor
Ronald Werner-Wilson, Co-major Professor
Chalandra Bryant
Harvey Joanning
John Littrell
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
2002
UMI Number. 3051503
UMf
UMI Microform 3051503
Copyright 2002 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company.
All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against
unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code.
ProQuest Information and Learning Company
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P.O. Box 1346
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ii
Graduate College
Iowa State University
This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation of
Darren Anthony Wozny
has met the requirements of Iowa State University
Signature was redacted for privacy.
Signature was redacted for privacy.
Co- jor Prof or
Signature was redacted for privacy.
For the Major Pr
iii
I dedicate this dissertation to my wife, Cheryl Anne Wozny. who supported my doctoral
studies in every way imaginable. She is my "secure family base."
I also dedicate this dissertation to the memory of a long-time friend, Lynn Lillebo, whose
care and warmth provide a fine example for parents and neighbors to strive towards.
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS viii
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1
Statement of the Problem 1
CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 3
Special-Needs Adoption Literature Themes 3
Work/Family Balance Literature Themes 3
Division of Household Labor Literature Themes 4
Parenting Arrangements Literature 4
Approaches to Childcare Arrangements 4
Fathering Literature Themes 4
Mothering Literature Themes 5
Special-Needs Adoption Literature 5
Unrealistic Expectations Related to "Myth of Sameness" 6
Awareness of How Adoption Impacts Family Relationships 8
Underestimating Adoptive Children's Behavioral/Emotional Issues 9
Importance of Adoptive Father Involvement to Placement 10
Adoption Outcomes within the First Year of Placement 11
Special-Needs Adoption Literature Summary 12
Work/Family Balance Literature 13
Work/Family Balance with Special-Needs Families 13
Work/Family Balance Strategies 14
Gender Differences in Work/Family Balance 16
Level of Satisfaction with Work/Family Balance 18
Employer Response to Requests for Family Need Flexibility 19
Predictors of Work/Family Conflict 21
How Family Influences the Work Context 22
Summary of Work/Family Balance Literature 23
Division of Household Labor Literature 24
Egalitarian Marital Relationships Versus the Myth of Equality 24
Explanations for Paternal Involvement in Household Labor 31
Women Held Primarily Responsible for Household Labor 33
Predictors of Marital Conflict about Division of Household Labor 33
Perception of Fairness in the Division of Household Labor 35
Summary of the Division of Household Labor Literature 41
Parenting Arrangements Literature 42
Benefits to Equal Parenting 42
Dual-Earner Couples' Management of Childcare Arrangements 44
Parenting Literature Summary 47
V
CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
Parenting-Fathering Literature 48
Incongruence Between the Culture and Conduct of Fatherhood 48
Comparing Paternal versus Maternal Involvement with Children 48
Fathers Assume "Secondary Responsibility" for their Children 51
Paternal Involvement in Childcare Arrangements 53
Fathering Influenced More by Contextual Influences 54
Impact of Couples' Work Scheduling on Paternal Involvement 57
Overemphasis of Contextual Influences on Paternal Involvement 59
Fathering Literature Summary 63
Parenting-Mothering Literature 64
Dominant Cultural Ideal of Mothering Theme 64
Family Labor Responsibility Relates to Maternal Anger 64
Motherhood Ideals Reconciled Through Childcare Arrangements 65
Mothers Held Primarily Responsible for Childcare 68
Maternal Distress 69
Limited Paternal Support Handling Childcare Arrangements 69
Coping Strategies for Women in Dual-Income Relationships 70
Summary of Mothering Literature 70
Literature Review Summary 71
CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY 75
Philosophical Assumptions 75
The Ontological Assumption 75
The Epistemological Assumption 75
The Axiological Assumption 76
The Rhetorical Assumption 76
The Methodological Assumption 76
Researcher as Instrument 77
Data Collection Methods 82
Participants 85
Table 1. Participant Demographics-Adoptive Parents 86
Table 2. Participant Demographics-Adoptive and Other Children 87
Description of Special Needs Children 87
Trauma-Related Issues 87
Medical Related Issues 88
Behavioral-Related Issues 89
Educational-Related Issues 89
Data Analysis Methods 89
vi
CHAPTER 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 92
Non-Adoption-Specific Family Challenges 92
Individual Sacrifices 92
Couple Sacrifices 94
Typical Parenting Adjustments 96
Other Sacrifices 98
Adoption-Specific Family Challenges 99
Trauma/Abuse/Neglect-Related Challenges 99
Suddenness of the Adoption Placement 101
Uncertainty of Receiving an Adoptive Placement 101
Medical-Related Adoption Challenges 103
Development of a Secure Attachment/Relational Bond 104
Impact of Adoption on Birth Children/Other Children 106
Adoptive Couple Interaction/Contact with Birth/Foster Family 108
Discussion of Adoption-Related and Non-Adoption Challenges 110
Extent of Social Support for Adoptive Couples 117
Extended Family and Friends 117
DHS Caseworkers 118
Interaction with Other Adoptive Families and Adopted Individuals 121
Use of Paid Childcare/Housekeeping to Balance Work and Family 123
Other Professionals 125
Experiences that Helped with Adoption Adjustment 126
Commitment to Adoption Placement 126
Previous Caretaking/Parenting Experience 127
Continuing Education Efforts 128
Discussion of Couples' Social Support and Helpful Experiences 129
Sharing Family Responsibilities 134
Sharing Family Responsibilities-Process of Sharing Family Work 134
Bases of Family Work Distribution 13 5
Parent Availability 135
Parent Stress-Level Handoff 135
Parent Task Competency 137
Parent Task Preference/Desirability 13 7
Parental Guilt 138
Parent's Requests for Mote Help from the Other Parent 139
Disagreements About Family Work Distribution 141
Changes in the Family Work Distribution 143