Real Families

Relationships

Why Men's Family Relationships Are More Fragile

Lucy Blake PhD on November 21, 2022

Don’t let your partner send your cards and buy your presents this holiday season. Rather than dodging a chore, you might be missing out on a valuable opportunity for connection.

Don’t let your partner send your cards and buy your presents this holiday season. Rather than dodging a chore, you might be missing out on a valuable opportunity for connection.

Relationships

Is the Culture of Mother's Day Changing?

Lucy Blake PhD on March 25, 2022

In this age of authenticity, can we finally tell the truth about our relationships with our mothers?

In this age of authenticity, can we finally tell the truth about our relationships with our mothers?

Family Dynamics

Why So Many Sibling Relationships Break Apart

Lucy Blake PhD on March 21, 2022

Are the relationships between brothers lifelong and supportive? New research on sibling estrangement challenges these assumptions.

Are the relationships between brothers lifelong and supportive? New research on sibling estrangement challenges these assumptions.

Relationships

Yes, We Do Need to Talk About Bruno

Lucy Blake PhD on February 2, 2022

Is it appropriate to talk to children about strained, tense, or estranged family relationships? Disney's new film Encanto shows us the way.

Is it appropriate to talk to children about strained, tense, or estranged family relationships? Disney's new film Encanto shows us the way.

Genetics

The Meaning of Family During the Pandemic

Lucy Blake PhD on March 18, 2020

How can we talk about "family" during the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that is kind and inclusive?

How can we talk about "family" during the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that is kind and inclusive?

Relationships

Coping with Family Estrangement

Lucy Blake PhD on October 9, 2019

How do people cope with family estrangement? Counseling can be helpful, research shows—especially when people do not feel pushed to think, feel, or act in a certain way.

How do people cope with family estrangement? Counseling can be helpful, research shows—especially when people do not feel pushed to think, feel, or act in a certain way.

Relationships

How Much Contact With Family Is “Normal”?

Lucy Blake PhD on September 23, 2018

How often should you call your parents? Assumptions about parent-child relationships in adulthood have important implications.

How often should you call your parents? Assumptions about parent-child relationships in adulthood have important implications.

Stress

Should You Invite Estranged Family Members to Your Wedding?

Lucy Blake PhD on May 14, 2018

Difficult decisions as to whether to invite family members to significant family occasions like weddings will be familiar to many. Especially when family members are estranged.

Difficult decisions as to whether to invite family members to significant family occasions like weddings will be familiar to many. Especially when family members are estranged.