Blog#6: Stepfamilies around the world: How do we compare?

Stepfamilies around the world: How do we compare?

This article is about stepfamilies around the world. This is about feelings and rights that people have on stepfamilies. The international portrait of stepfamilies is still far from clear.  Many countries have in common that stepfamilies are growing in numbers which is because there are higher rates of divorce and also the traditional definition of “family” is facing an identity crisis.  The countries other reason is because even though legal and societal structures do exist, they are vague and inconsistent.  In order to be a stepparent usually the legal rights are scarce so you can go through adoption.  Sweden and Canada have the broadest, most accepting views of family. And Australia has many national resources to help its sizable stepfamily population which comes in third.  Many stepparents worldwide report feelings of frustration, stress and uncertainty.  Every country is different so the article gives the available data. 

I chose this article because it is a worldwide family issue. It is not just an issue for in the US but it is becoming more of an issue in many different places.  I am in the situation of having 2 stepparents so I understand how common it is.  I think that having divorce rates increasing is not a good thing but having step-parents is just another parent to go to.  Not every situation is like mine, but I sometimes didn’t like having stepparents and would argue when they punished me but I had to learn they were a big part of my life and also part of my family so I quickly got over it.  Now, I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have these two stepparents enter my life to be great parents to me.    Yes, having divorces and not going the traditional ways is sometimes hard but I would rather have my parents happy with someone else than live without a partner because of their kids.  I think step-families is becoming more normal so this article was very helpful.  I think for the countries who aren’t so accepting stepparents will realize it isn’t so wrong once divorce rates get even higher. 

http://blog.oregonlive.com/themombeat/2012/10/stepfamilies_around_the_world.html