Publisher's Synopsis
Christina Hughes provides a closely detailed account of the sociological meanings of myth in stepfamily life. Based on participant observation, the analysis of myth takes account that the stepfamily occupies a place in both the public and private domains of society. The book therefore considers the effect of societal myths on stepparent perspectives, and the construction of myths about stepchildren and previous marital problems which occur in the private sphere of stepfamily life. Key findings suggest that stepmothers, in their position as second mother and second wife, face a position which is doubly pejorative. This is not the case for stepfathers. In addition, reciprocity in stepparentûstepchild relationships would appear to be a significant factor in the potential for success in these relationships. Above all, the book aims to give stepparents a voice in expressing both the positive and negative features of stepfamily life today, a voice which has been all too absent from many previous accounts of the stepfamily.
