ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses parents and young people difficulties, while also reflecting on the positives of new and reconstituted families. Divorce, separation, new partners and reconstituted families are a part of many people's lives today. For most people divorce is almost certainly going to be a painful and distressing experience although there may be benefits too. Following divorce or in a new family there may be scope for a teenager to take on a more mature role which provides an opportunity for growth and development. There are a number of different ways in which the possible harm that flows from a family breakdown can be reduced or mitigated. Following divorce many lone parents have to deal with the teenager's anger. Lone parents need support and they need time for themselves. This chapter concludes with a note about the positives that can stem from divorce or from being in a reconstituted family.
