A study of stepfathering : involvement and meaning making in contemporary stepfamilies

Stepfamilies are complex and diverse. Until recently there has been little research that has explored stepfathers' perspectives concerning their involvement in stepfamilies. A number of fatherhood researchers have suggested similarities between stepfathers and biological fathers in the provision of nurture and care for stepchildren. This exploratory study was designed to develop knowledge and understanding of stepfathers' involvement in the care of stepchildren, from their own perspectives. In-depth interviews were carried out with thirty-five stepfathers. The aim was to identify what being a stepfather means to men, by examining the ways in which they make commitments to, take responsibilities for, and are sensitive to their stepchildren. Stepfathers' involvement in stepfamilies, in terms of their care for and about stepchildren, was examined across a range of activities in different types of stepfamilies. The study also examined the resources stepfathers drew upon in their stepfathering and the constraints they faced, and how the men shaped their own identities in stepfamilies. The findings suggest three models of stepfathering. The first group expressed the least clarity about their roles, had little involvement in stepfamilies. The second group demonstrated a traditionally masculinist approach to parenting. They were 'moderately involved' in stepfamilies, with clearly defined roles for mothers, stepfathers, and non-resident fathers. Men in the third group demonstrated a pluralistic imagery of family life, a less gendered interpretation of fathering, and a more equitably gendered pattern of couple relations. They were actively involved in sharing the care for stepchildren with the children's mothers and non-resident fathers. They made commitments, negotiated responsibilities, were sensitive to stepchildren's needs, and had made changes to their traditional work-oriented, primary-earner role, in order to do more care for the next generation

A study of stepfathering : involvement and meaning making in contemporary stepfamilies

Stepfamilies are complex and diverse. Until recently there has been little research that has explored stepfathers' perspectives concerning their involvement in stepfamilies. A number of fatherhood researchers have suggested similarities between stepfathers and biological fathers in the provision of nurture and care for stepchildren. This exploratory study was designed to develop knowledge and understanding of stepfathers' involvement in the care of stepchildren, from their own perspectives. In-depth interviews were carried out with thirty-five stepfathers. The aim was to identify what being a stepfather means to men, by examining the ways in which they make commitments to, take responsibilities for, and are sensitive to their stepchildren. Stepfathers' involvement in stepfamilies, in terms of their care for and about stepchildren, was examined across a range of activities in different types of stepfamilies. The study also examined the resources stepfathers drew upon in their stepfathering and the constraints they faced, and how the men shaped their own identities in stepfamilies. The findings suggest three models of stepfathering. The first group expressed the least clarity about their roles, had little involvement in stepfamilies. The second group demonstrated a traditionally masculinist approach to parenting. They were 'moderately involved' in stepfamilies, with clearly defined roles for mothers, stepfathers, and non-resident fathers. Men in the third group demonstrated a pluralistic imagery of family life, a less gendered interpretation of fathering, and a more equitably gendered pattern of couple relations. They were actively involved in sharing the care for stepchildren with the children's mothers and non-resident fathers. They made commitments, negotiated responsibilities, were sensitive to stepchildren's needs, and had made changes to their traditional work-oriented, primary-earner role, in order to do more care for the next generation.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Stepparent–Child Relationships and Child Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

An inclusive conceptualization of “family” can enable family-serving systems and professionals to leverage high-quality family relationships, wherever they are found, to support the health and well-being of individuals. Stepfamilies are an especially common family form with distinct needs and experiences, and stepparent–child relationships can take on a variety of functions with implications for family stability and individual well-being. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize empirical associations between stepparent–child relationships and child outcomes. General findings from 56 studies highlighted significant associations between several dimensions of stepparent–child relationships and children’s psychological, behavioral, social, academic, and physical well-being. Meta-analytic findings from 68 effect-size estimates further substantiated significant and positive associations between stepparent–child relationship quality and child psychological well-being (mean r =.25) and academic well-being (mean r =.23), as well as significant and negative associations between stepparent–child relationship quality and child psychological problems (mean r = −.23) and behavioral problems (mean r = −.19)

There is a Need for a Biblically Sound Education for Developing Healthy Blended Families at Healing the Broken Hearted Ministry

Blended families experience repeated divorce and contribute to the growth of dysfunctional families because churches do not have a dedicated biblically sound education that is specifically designed for blended families. Such an education, addressing issues representative of what blended families experience, will help establish blended families that follow the biblical model as stated in Colossians 3:18-21, with a submissive wife, a loving husband, and obedient children. Blended families will continue to struggle if they cannot access additional resources that will help them in dealing promptly with blended family issues as they surface, using God’s precepts. Family therapists and counselors, including those who claim to be experts on blended family matters, cannot address blended family issues because they tend to apply solutions based on the traditional or nuclear family setting. The proposed education will equip blended families to prevent surfacing issues or promptly handle blended family issues that could result in repeated divorce or family members ending up in a dysfunctional state. This project will examine the need for such a proposed education

Motivation, Marital Quality, Maternal Gatekeeping, Breadwinning, and Father Identity: Models Of Biological Fathers’ And Stepfathers’ Involvement In Childcare

Compared to biological fathers, there is far less knowledge about stepfathers in reference to their involvement in childcare. As stepfathers continue to increase in number in the United States, it is important to understand the factors that influence a stepfather to be more or less involved in the care of their stepchildren. Few studies have examined both biological fathers and stepfathers together on multiple sets of parenting variables. Thus, the current study aims to compare biological fathers and stepfathers on a model of paternal involvement. Participants were 306 biological fathers and 69 stepfathers. In order to participate, fathers had to have at least one child 12 years or younger living with them at least 50% of the time, as well as be married to the child\u27s biological mother. All fathers completed an anonymous, online survey that assessed their motivation to be involved, marital quality, maternal gatekeeping, traditional parenting views (i.e., breadwinning), father identity, and paternal involvement in childcare. It was hypothesized that breadwinning and motivation would be negatively correlated for biological fathers only; however, results showed breadwinning and motivation were negatively correlated for both types of fathers. Additionally, it was hypothesized that stepfathers’ marital quality would mediate the relationship between motivation and paternal involvement, whereas for biological fathers the mediated relationship would not be significant. This hypothesis was supported, demonstrating that instead, for biological fathers, motivation had a direct effect on involvement. The final hypothesis stated that all five variables (i.e., motivation, marital quality, maternal gatekeeping, breadwinning, and father identity) would influence biological father and stepfather involvement in childcare differently. Although fit statistics did not meet the recommended structural equation modeling (SEM) values, parenting does appear to be different for biological fathers and stepfathers. Father identity was hypothesized to have a direct effect on fathering motivation for both types of fathers, but was found to be significant only for biological fathers. Lastly, maternal gatekeeping was expected to have a direct effect on involvement for stepfathers only. However, this was not supported, nor did gatekeeping have an effect on biological fathers’ involvement. The results indicated that the model of paternal involvement for biological fathers was different than the model for stepfathers. Due to weak SEM fit statistics, readers should interpret these findings within the context of understanding the model is not a finished model of paternal involvement and further research is needed to confirm and expand upon these results. Perhaps a larger sample size of stepfathers would allow more stable and reliable statistical results. Additionally, there were some concerns with maternal gatekeeping, as that factor was not shown to be related to either fathers’ involvement in the hypothesized model. Nevertheless, the current study does contribute knowledge of new patterns and ways of understanding paternal involvement in childcare. It is important for future studies to replicate these results and eventually better understand what makes a father more or less involved

Father’s Care – Involvement, Influence, and Affection: Three Keys to Father-Child Relationships

Though they may sometimes find it difficult to express their feelings, most fathers care about their children and families. In a 1980 Gallup poll, six out of ten fathers said their families were “the most important element of my life at this time.” Only 8 percent said their families were unimportant to them. When asked what they found most satisfying about their families, fathers rated “children,” “closeness,” and “being together” as personally important

Perceived Problems in First and Second Marriages

The purpose of this study was to identify problem areas in second families as compared to first families . A questionnaire was sent to 31 first married wives and 20 second married wives. Both groups had children living in the home. The first 19 questions focused on parent-child, and husband-wife relations. Respondents were asked to indicate their feelings on a four-point Lichert-type scale of strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree. The next section, which was included for other research purposes, asked respondents how prepared they felt for this current marriage. Following these questions, 12 items were listed asking respondents to indicate if they would have liked more information in these areas before their marriage. Next, respondents were asked to indicate if problems existed in any of the following 12 possible problem areas--marital success, in-law relations, parent-child relations, avoiding divorce, childrearing, finances, religious differences, political differences, interpersonal communication, sexuality, ex-in-laws and ex-spouse. Lastly, a four-point question ranging from excellent, very good, good and poor asked for a rating of the marriage. Demographic information and household make-up was solicited on the last page. A letter of transmittal was included as a cover letter. The letter was hand addressed to the respondent and signed by the researcher. The results indicate that the overriding problem area in the second family as compared to the first family centers strongly on the parent-child relationship. It should be also noted that when asked to rate their marriages, wives in their first and second marriages reported no statistical difference

Parenting Stress, Perceived Child Regard, and Depressive Symptoms Among Stepmothers and Biological Mothers

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/88071/1/j.1741-3729.2011.00665.x.pd