Using a normative-adaptive perspective, Lawrence Ganong and Marilyn Coleman take a timely and comprehensive look at close relationships in remarried families. The authors present a thorough exploration of why some remarriages and stepfamilies function well, while others do not. Beginning with a brief historical and clinical overview, the authors examine factors and issues that either contribute to or hinder the development of close relationships in remarried families. Chapters include discussions on all of the relationship combinations found in stepfamilies, child abuse in stepfamilies, and extended family relationships, and a review of various clinical perspectives provides insight into well-functioning as well as dysfunctional stepfamilies. This volume provides extensive coverage and the most up-to-date information available for students and scholars in social psychology, interpersonal communication, family studies, clinical psychology, counseling, and gender studies.