A stepfamily, sometimes called a bonus family, is a family in which at least one parent has children who are not biologically related to their spouse, with either or both parents in the couple potentially bringing children from a previous relationship or marriage into the new household. Family scholars distinguish two main classifications: a simple stepfamily, in which only one member of the couple has a prior child or children and the couple has no children together, and a complex or blended stepfamily, in which both members of the couple bring at least one child from a previous relationship into the new family unit.
Facts
Descent RuleSourced to the subject's own accountNot a descent rule: a stepfamily is formed when a parent's new spouse is not the biological or adoptive parent of that parent's children, joining the household through marriage or remarriage rather than through any rule of lineage or descent-group membership. 1 Typical RegionSourced to the subject's own accountDocumented especially in modern Western nations alongside rising rates of divorce and remarriage; the Step Family Foundation states that over 50 percent of United States families are remarried or recoupled. 1 Connections
Associated With
The stepfamily reconstitutes a nuclear-family-like household structure around a remarried or repartnered parent and children from a prior relationship.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Stepfamily
WikipediaLegal status section
historically stepfamilies are built through the institution of marriage and are legally recognized
Education section
over 50% of US families are remarried or recoupled
Lead paragraph, opening definition
A stepfamily (sometimes called a bonus family) is a family where at least one parent has children who are not biologically related to their spouse.
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