Stepfamily Formation and Changes in Mothers' Relationships with Children

• In Event: 487 - Section on the Sociology of the Family. Family Relationships across the Life Course

Abstract

This study examines how children’s ties to their biological mothers are influenced by the entrance of stepfathers. To the extent that children’s ties to mothers are weakened or negatively affected by the entrance of stepfathers, there is cause for concern. If, however, the entrance of a stepfather improves mother-child ties then child well-being may be enhanced. Guided by family systems theory, it is hypothesized that the entrance of a stepfather inevitably brings about changes in other parts of the family system, including changes in the quality and nature of the mother-child relationship. Whether these changes will be largely negative or positive is open to debate and varies among different theories explaining stepfamily functioning. Data come from 2,573 adolescents in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) who lived with a single mother in Wave 1 who remained single, cohabited or married by Wave II, approximately one year later. Multiple dimensions of mother-child relationships are examined (emotional closeness, the frequency of shared activities, open communication, maternal availability, and mothers’ expectations for their children’s educational attainment). Preliminary findings suggest that some aspects of the mother-child relationship may be negatively affected when a stepfather enters the household, particularly for the entrance of a cohabiting stepfather.

Author

• Valarie King, Penn State University