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Parents‐In‐Law: Failure and Divorce In a Second Chance Family
Author(s) -
Lager Eric
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-0606.1977.tb00480.x
Subject(s) - psychology , identity (music) , social psychology , family law , developmental psychology , law , political science , aesthetics , philosophy
In this article several case illustrations of patients in whom symptoms and the deterioration of their marriage resulted from disruption of their relationship with a parent‐in‐law are presented. It is hypothesized that fantasies in regard to this relationship were primary motivating factors in choice of mate. These fantasies involved acceptance by the parent‐in‐law of the patient in their unresolved, conflicted gender identity. This dynamic may elude the therapist. Early clarification to the patient of these motives for marriage and divorce may slow down the rapid deterioration of the marriage. The patient may then work through these issues and become better able to make more conscious choices.