Five Styles of Positive Stepmothering from the Perspective of Young Adult Stepdaughters

Abstract

A growing body of research indicates that children of divorce, and children in stepfamilies are at somewhat greater risk for academic, behavioral and emotional problems than children in nuclear families. Girls in stepfamilies, particularly those with stepmothers, are said to have distinct adjustment problems that girls in nuclear families do not experience. Using the strengths perspective, the purpose of the current study was to find out what elements contribute to a mother/daughter and stepmother/stepdaughter relationship from the viewpoint of the stepdaughters in a stabilized divorced/remarried family. Nineteen white, middle-class educated women were interviewed in depth. The mean age of the participants was 23.4 years. All mothers played similar roles in their daughters' lives, but the stepMothers' roles varied. Five styles of positive step-mothering roles are suggested. Implications for further study are discussed.

Key Words:

• Stepfamily
• stepmother
• stepdaughter
• typologies
• strengths perspective