Stepparents

Question 1

Effects of stepparents generally negative except for maybe who?

Answer 1

Younger boys

Question 2

How do stepfathers tend to be as compared to stepmothers?

Answer 2

Stepfathers = distant, disengaged, & unplesant; Stepmothers = more frequent interactions but often abrasive

Question 3

What does the “buffering effect” do (i.e., when custodial mother has another adult living in the house)?

Answer 3

Reduces negative consequences of divorce for children; however, this may not apply to stepparents

Question 4

What are characteristics of stepparents families?

Answer 4

High levels of authoritarian parenting & children who live w/stepparents have lower school grades, higher delinquency than children living w/both biological parents

Question 5

How might addition of stepfather affect younger boys but NOT for adolescent boys?

Answer 5

May benefit them in terms of reducing anxiety, anger, & other adjustment problems; adolescent boys continue to have variety of problems

Question 6

Do children have more problems with stepparents or biological parents?

Answer 6

Stepparents

Question 7

What is the difference between relationships between stepfathers & sons as compared to it with daughters?

Answer 7

Relationship between stepfathers & sons may improve over time,but this doesn’t seem to be case for daughters