ABSTRACT
Hill and Aldous (1969) wrote that “parenthood rather than marriage appears to be the crucial role transition point that marks the entrance into adulthood status in our society.” This means that the arrival of a child changes existing relationships not only among spouses but also among the new parents and the outside world. Clearly, it is the first child’s arrival that is mostly thought of as having the greatest influence on the young couple’s life and status. The arrival of the second child is not seen as having a comparably far-reaching impact. This article’s aim, however, is to show that aspects of the second child’s arrival deserve particular attention as far as family formation and changes in parent-child relationships are regarded under a family-developmental perspective.
