About forty-five percent of all people in the United States will go through divorce and remarriage. Because of this statistic and the increase in divorce rates, the number of stepfamilies in the country is also increasing. Remarriage can be very difficult in most cases and this could make your stepfamily a complex institution. A complex institution is one that influences people in more than one way. For example, it can cause physical and mental problems and stress. On the outside we might see a very happy couple who have just remarried after a divorce, but on the inside it might be a completely different story. One thing that many people don't consider before remarrying is the effect it has on the people around them and those close to them. Children will usually have the toughest struggle with a new parent or adoptive family. Stepfamilies affect children both mentally and physically. It may be very difficult to adjust to having that new mother or father figure in their life or even new siblings. Sadness and depression can occur because children who have been used to getting a lot of attention won't get as much attention now, and their lives are changing dramatically, usually. Many children want their parents to be together, especially the younger ones, and don't want to have to change their lifestyle. Lifestyle change is where we see physical appearance come into play. Many children may have had a certain plan with their single parents, but as soon as they remarry that may change. If your mom wants all electronic devices turned off by eleven on the weekends, and it's always been that way, and then suddenly your stepdad comes in and decides he wants it to be ten o'clock when they're skinny . middle of paper......they are not happy with our other parent. Younger children don't understand and just want their parents to be together. It could cause a lot of pain when the children finally realize that their parents will never be together again. Parents may never truly realize the impact that having a new adoptive family has on the people around them, perhaps even on other relatives. It certainly involves a completely new resocialization of the lives of the people affected by it. This is a growing pattern in the United States and there is a real need for parents to think about the mental, physical and emotional impacts it has on people. around them. This can be a very difficult adjustment and can sometimes lead to another divorce, which will only cause further difficulties. We must remember what is best for ourselves and our families before making this huge and difficult change in our lives.