Question 1

Folktales like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel reflect the view of stepmothers as

Accepted Answer

Folktales like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel portray stepmothers as cruel, vain, selfish, competitive, and even abusive. This negative portrayal of stepmothers has been present in many cultures for centuries and is often used as a plot device in folktales.

Question 2

Research on communication patterns in stepfamilies reveals several different communication patterns. In which pattern do the child and the biological/adoptive parent maintain interaction, but the stepparent remains pretty much irrelevant to the child's life?

Accepted Answer

In the outsider triad communication pattern in stepfamilies, the child and the biological/adoptive parent maintain interaction, but the stepparent remains pretty much irrelevant to the child's life. This can occur when the stepparent is not involved with the child's daily life or activities, or when there is tension or conflict between the stepparent and the child.

Question 3

Many stepparent-stepchild relationships over time.

Accepted Answer

Over time, many stepparent-stepchild relationships improve as they adjust to each other and build stronger bonds.

Question 4

Relatively low role ambiguity has been associated with

Accepted Answer

Relatively low role ambiguity, meaning clear and defined roles within the relationship, has been linked to higher remarital satisfaction, particularly for wives.

Question 5

The extent to which stepfathers see their stepchildren as biological children is called

Accepted Answer

The extent to which stepfathers see their stepchildren as biological children is called paternal claiming. This refers to the degree to which a stepfather takes on a paternal role and considers his stepchildren as his own biological children.

Question 6

Another challenge to remarried families is that roles of stepchild and stepparent are

Accepted Answer

The roles of stepchild and stepparent in remarried families are often uncertain and can be ambiguous. It takes time and effort for both parties to establish a relationship and define their roles within the family dynamic.

Question 7

Research on communication patterns in stepfamilies reveals several different communication patterns. In which pattern does communication flow freely, involving all members of the stepfamily equally?

Accepted Answer

The complete triad communication pattern in stepfamilies allows for free-flowing communication among all members, involving everyone equally and fostering a more inclusive family environment.

Question 8

The text urges consideration of various points in easing the transition from single-parent to stepfamily status. Which of the following is NOT one of these?

Accepted Answer

The text does not urge to replace a lost parent but instead suggests that the new family structure should be viewed as a different, but equally valid, family unit.

Question 9

The text points out that the particular challenges that characterize remarriages often begin with the

Accepted Answer

Remarriages often begin with the challenge of the previous divorce, which can cause emotional baggage and trust issues for both partners.

Question 10

A small study cited in the text asked 265 stepmothers about their expectations of the stepmother role. The researchers found that

Accepted Answer

The study found that stepmothers expect to be included in stepfamily activities.

Question 11

Originally, the text points out, the term stepparent applied to

Accepted Answer

The term "stepparent" originally referred to a person who replaces a dead parent, not just someone who assists in parenting or is an additional parent.

Question 12

Adults who form stepfamilies expect a smooth and quick adjustment while children expect that the stepparent will disappear and their parents will be reunited. This is known as the stage in Papernow's seven-stage model of stepfamily development.

Accepted Answer

The stage in Papernow's seven-stage model of stepfamily development where adults expect a smooth and quick adjustment while children expect that the stepparent will disappear and their parents will be reunited is the fantasy stage.

Question 13

In comparison with teens in intact families, older teenage and young adult children in stepfamilies leave home

Accepted Answer

Older teenage and young adult children in stepfamilies tend to leave home at significantly lower ages compared to their counterparts in intact families, often due to the complexities and challenges associated with living in a stepfamily environment.

Question 14

Family structure (whether the family is first-marriage, cohabiting, divorced, or remarried) is not as important to stepchildren's well-being or future outcomes as is

Accepted Answer

The quality of communication and relationships among family members is the most important factor for stepchildren's well-being and future outcomes. Research has shown that the amount of conflict and tension between family members, as well as the level of warmth and support, have the greatest impact on stepchildren's adjustment. Parenting style, gender roles, and discipline time are important, but they are secondary to the quality of the relationships in the family.

Question 15

Which statement about the well-being of stepparents is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that stepparents, especially stepmothers, have worse mental health outcomes compared to biological parents. This is due to a number of factors such as higher stress levels and the lack of a pre-existing bond with the stepchildren. Option A is incorrect as parenting stepchildren is often more challenging and stressful than parenting biological children because of the complex dynamics and loyalty conflicts. Option C is also incorrect, as stepchildren cannot substitute for biological children as they have different relationships and attachments with their biological parents. Option D is not always true as parents may feel greater obligation towards their biological children due to the biological ties and responsibility for their upbringing.

Question 16

Research shows that both stepmothers and stepfathers play their roles with more than do biological parents-more like friends than monitoring parents.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research shows that both stepmothers and stepfathers...

Question 17

According to the text, the nuclear-family model

Accepted Answer

The nuclear-family model often does not fit well with the complexities and unique dynamics of remarried families, which can include stepchildren, ex-spouses, and other extended family relationships not typically accounted for in the traditional nuclear-family structure.

Question 18

Research on communication patterns in stepfamilies reveals several different communication patterns. In which pattern is the child's interaction with the stepparent accomplished through the child's biological or adoptive parent?

Accepted Answer

In the linked triad communication pattern, the child's interaction with the stepparent is accomplished through the child's biological or adoptive parent, creating a link between the two. The outsider triad involves minimal or no direct interaction between the child and the stepparent, while the adult-coalition triad places the child in the middle of conflicts between the stepparent and biological parent. The complete triad involves direct communication between all three individuals in the stepfamily.

Question 19

Because it seems almost an impossible job, the stepmother role has been described as the "stepmother ."

Accepted Answer

The term "stepmother trap" is used to describe the challenging and often thankless role of being a stepmother, highlighting the difficulties and negative stereotypes associated with it.

Question 20

One stepfamily scholar (Papernow) has suggested a seven-stage model of stepfamily development. Which of the following is NOT one of the stages in this model?

Accepted Answer

Papernow's seven-stage model of stepfamily development includes fantasy, immersion, awareness, and other stages, but rebellion is not one of them.

Quiz 15: Remarriages and Stepfamilies