An Exploratory Research on Stepchildren’s Experiences in the Stepparent Households: The Case of Kolfe Keranyo Sub city, Addis Ababa
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Date
2011-06
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Abstract
Studying the experiences of stepchildren is very essential for both the wellbeing of child in
particular and the well functioning of the family in general as a unit. The present study explored
children’s situation with the aim of understanding experiences of stepchildren in their own
scrutiny. The study utilized data from eight convenience and purposively selected individuals
through sentence completion, story writing and interview. A thematic analysis is used to analysis
the data
The study clearly indicated that stepchildren appeared to experience unfriendly family
environment which can impact their wellbeing. In fact, there were stepchildren who have
friendly family environment. Children from stepparent household experience educational
impediment as well as less contact with their nonresidential parent/families-best interest of the
child. Stepchildren also appear to have less genuine relationship with their stepparent, which
plays major role for the involvement of the stepparents for betterment of the child life. Physical
abuse, less intimacy with stepparent, emotional abuse, and ignorance by stepparents are also
more likely exhibited in the stepparent households. Similarly, stepchildren experience
discriminatory action by their stepparents. Stepchildren live in the stepmother households appear
to experiences those situations more than children from stepfather households.
Stepparents are recommended to develop harmonious relationship with their stepchild for both
the wellbeing of the child and the family unit through promoting trust relationship, children
emotion and positive reaction for child requests. Social workers support is essential here to
promote the wellbeing of the child. Indeed, family policies need to clarify the relationship of
stepchildren and stepparent in the household-what is the responsibility of stepparent for child?
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Keywords
Stepparent household; Stepparent; Stepchildren; Experience