The Transition to Parenthood [Paperback]

Jay Belsky (Author), John Kelly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 1995

Featured on Oprah and excerpted in Glamour magazine, this exploration of the positive and negative effects the birth of a child has on a marriage is based on the largest, most comprehensive study of couples entering parenthood ever conducted.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For seven years in the 1980s, Belsky, professor of human development at Penn State University, studied the impact of new parenthood on 250 couples from about three months before birth to the child's third birthday. Aided by freelance writer Kelly, Belsky weaves extended case studies of three couples into his description of the changes brought about by the arrival of a baby; he examines the parents' relationship in six particular arenas: self, gender ideology, emotionality, conflict management, communication and expectations. Also studied is the effect of new parenthood as experienced by those falling into three personality types: traditional, transitional and egalitarian. The authors find that the challenge of changing from couple to parents is made most smoothly by pairings of like types. Extensively researched and engagingly offered, the information in this book will be welcomed by family and marriage counselors and those whose future--or present--includes a first baby. Author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Belsky and Kelly's book ups the number of only a few works available about the often-stressful effects of a first baby on marriage. As they point out, theirs is not a guidebook but a report: Transition is meant to be read after the fact. Belsky utilizes his brainchild, the Penn State Child and Family Development Project, for much of the information. Most of the book focuses on three couples over the course of seven years, wherein it is decided whether they are Severe Decliners, Moderate Decliners, No Changers, or Improvers. Full of personal details and thoroughly researched, if a bit long and academic, Transition does manage to maintain interest. Jo Peer-Haas --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Dell; First Edition edition (March 4, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440506980
• ISBN-13: 978-0440506980
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #810,345 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I read on preparing to have a new baby, December 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Transition to Parenthood (Paperback)

The book focuses on the most important relationship to a baby--how the parent's relate to each other after the first child is born. The stability and love (or lack thereof) in the parental relationship creates the environment in which the child is raised. Men and women have different expectations and reactions to the birth of a child. This book is a long-term case study of what types of marriages grow stronger, stay the same or get weaker as a result of the birth of a child. The insights I gained helped me to modify and be aware of issues in my marriage that having children creates. I believe my marriage has grown stronger after children and part of the reason was the insight gained from this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting & Inspiring, September 13, 2003

By 

Blahoooooo "xxxxooooo" (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Transition to Parenthood (Hardcover)

I bought this book for .25 at a library sale with low expectations. IT's out of print, etc... but I was so pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to read and how captivated I was by the content. It's not a how-to book, but an interesting report on how the study results turned out. I found the author's language completely understandable, his examples were numerous and analysis seemed incredibly insightful. I agree with the other reviewer, I found myself and our marriage described in various places in the book. I was inspired to make some small changes in my behavior based on things I had read in the book and the atmosphere has really lightened up around here after 10 months with the new baby. I will pass this book to anyone I know who is contemplating children... and I will re-read it every once in awhile for further inspiration.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all "wanna-be" parents!, January 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Transition to Parenthood (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to enter parenthood. Extremely incitive, even a bit scary at times. While it is written as a case study, it is still easy to read. This book has passed through my entire circle of friends.