Abstract
This paper discusses the relevance to clinical practice of current research on alternative family life styles. Attention is focused on therapists' countertransference reactions which interfere with the course of therapy. Source of information is an interdisciplinary research program at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, on the development of 200 children in four family styles: single mothers; from triads to large communes; and, a comparative group of traditionally married nuclear families. These alternative life styles emerging from the counter-culture may be altering patterns of family dynamics and functioning. Awareness of such changes is essential to clinical practice.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ackerman, N. W.The psychodynamics of family life. New York: Basic Books, 1968.
Demos, J. The American family in past time.The American Scholar, 1974,43, 442–447.
Eiduson, B., Cohen J., & Alexander, J. Alternatives in child rearing in the 1970's.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1973,43, 720–731.
Eiseley, L.Night country. New York: Scribner, 1971.
Fairfield, R. (Ed.). Communes, U. S. A.Modern Utopian, 1971,5.
Heiman, P. On counter transference.International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 1950,31, 81–84.
Kanter, R. M.Commitment and community: Utopias and communes in sociological perspective. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1972.
Kenniston, K.The uncommitted: Alienated youth in American society. New York: Dell Publishing, 1965.
Los Angeles Times. New bill would make all births legal. Friday, 2/21/75, Part 1, p. 1. (a).
Los Angeles Times. Nonmarriage, rights emerging courts moving toward, commonlaw protection. Thursday, 7/17/75, Pt. 2, pp. 1, 3, 4. (b)
Levy, N. A. An investigation into the nature of the psychotherapeutic process. In J. H. Masserman (Ed.).Psychoanalysis and social process. New York: Grune & Stratton, 1961.
Miller, E. Treatment of a communal family.Social Casework, 1973,54, 331–341.
Reich, C.The greening of America. New York: Random, House, 1970.
Sanville, J. L. Cultural traditions as codeterminants of goalsetting. In C. Buhler & F. Massarik (Eds.)The course of human life. New York: Springer Publishing Co., 1968.
Specht, H. The deprofessionalization of social work.Social Work, 1972,17(2), 3–15.
Williams, R. L. The remaining shakers.Smithsonian, 1974,5(6), 40–52.
Zablocki, B.,The joyful community. Baltimore: Penguin, 1971.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Alexander, J. Alternative life styles: Relationship between new realities and practice. Clin Soc Work J 4, 289–301 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02145675
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02145675