What Is Stepfamilies And Why Is It Important To Get Kids Belonging?

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Introduction
Background Information A stepfamily refers to when a new couple brings children from a previous marriage to start a new family (AAMFT, n.d.). For a family to qualify as a stepfamily, at least one partner must bring in a child or children. It, therefore, implies that children belonging to the female partner are introduced to a stepfather who is different from their biological father. On the other hand, children belonging to the male partner are introduced to a stepmother who is not their biological mother. The children brought into this new setting may also be introduced to other siblings leading to the creation of a larger family. The parents may have never been in a marriage before, or may have been from a previous marriage that may have failed due to various reasons. Some parents get children out of wedlock without necessarily being married, and therefore might not …show more content…

This requirement implies that most children have a chance to know both of their parents. Most laws allow partners to establish stepfamilies once the previous family is terminated in a legal divorce. Some stepfamilies are formed by partners who are from previous failed marriages. Others may be formed after a widowed parent decides to complete their family by establishing a stepfamily after their loved one dies. Stepfamilies can be a source of happiness and fulfillment to persons in single parenting. Such a situation occurs when the stepfamily is successful. On the other hand, the same family can be a disappointment, especially when members of the established stepfamily fail to get along. A stepfamily is composed of members who have substantial differences. Although such families are actively established by parents, children are key determinants of success (Bray & Kelly, 2001). A stepfamily is likely to collapse if the children from either partner fail to live in

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