1. Explain the myths and challenges of remarriage and stepfamilies. A myth is a
ID: 3457852 • Letter: 1
Question
1. Explain the myths and challenges of remarriage and stepfamilies.
A myth is a belief that is accepted uncritically. We often act as if something is true when, in fact, we have not stopped to examine the belief that led us to act a certain way. (Note that something may be true but it still qualifies as a myth until it has been investigated, tested, or analyzed and shown to be accurate or true.) What are some of the myths about remarriage? Explain why these beliefs fit the definition of a myth?
2. What are some of the most common types of problems faced by stepfamilies? Why are these problems unique to stepfamilies? That is, what is it about stepfamilies that leads them to have these types of problems when “first families” (the biological family or the family of orientation of the children in the stepfamily) don’t have these same types of problems? Give examples to clarify your discussion.
Explanation / Answer
Ans 1 Myths about Remarriage
A) The Nuclear Family Myth : beleivers of this myth expect their stepfamilies and children to be well behaved. Even in long lasting stepfamilies it is uncommon for everyone to be well behaved.
B ) The Compensation Myth : the person expects the new partner to be everything that previous problematic partner was not. This may be an expectation but may not be necessarily true.
C) The Love fantasty myth : step parents usually have a intial surge of love for their step children but it gradually fades off usually. This is again not consistently seen in Remarriage and stepfamilies.
D) The Rescue Fantasy Myth : new step parents may feel they may rescue children from previous problematic parenting and will give them a new life. While they may change the environment, a big percentage of a child's behaviour is determined by genetics or by their biological parents.
While all couples remarrying may expect or beleive that they will be happy with their families or stepchildren it may not necessarily be true, hence a myth.
Ans 2 Problems of Stepfamilies
A) stepfamilies may have more stress and conflicts than nuclear family. Eg Children may not feel attached to step parents and cause conflicts
B ) Integration takes a longer time than nuclear families. Due to misunderstanding and conflicts there is generally a communication gap which lead to prolonged integration time.
C) there are continuos transitions and very less stability. Eg a child may feel close to step mother initially but later may hate her and love his/her biological father more.
D)Step family members may have unrealistic expectations as discussed previously in Myths eg expectation that everything is going to be fine and wveev one will be well behaved.
E ) step families are less cohesive as they are not biologically related like nuclear families.
F) there is no shared family history unlike Nuclear family.
G) Roles of different members are ambiguous. Eg Child may be expected to work to earn and support family while one of the parents may sit at home due to conflicts.
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