Caroline Robitaille

Social Stigma and the Situation of Young People in Lesbian and Gay Stepfamilies

This article presents the results of a qualitative study examining how social stigmatization made the lives of young people in gay and lesbian stepfamilies more complex. The study focused primarily on the young peoples viewpoint, which has until now rarely been taken into consideration in studies of gay and lesbian families. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents and young adults from 15 to 29 years old. The results showed that these young people experienced social stigmatization because of the family they lived in, which in turn had repercussions on their personal, family, and interpersonal lives.

Stepfamily Break-Up: A Qualitative Analysis of Trajectories and Processes

ABSTRACT Stepfamilies are considered to be less stable than first unions. There has been little research conducted that explains why stepfamilies break up or what the viewpoint of the parents and stepparents is. This qualitative study, which was based on life course theory, analyzed the statements made during an interview of 26 parents and stepparents who separated in the first 5 years of their relationship. The results showed that the underlying elements of the separation could be understood by way of past experiences, models, and values acquired during childhood and in previous conjugal relationships. During the stepfamily period, significant events and differences in the partner’s life stages pushed their trajectory from one of stepfamily creation to separation. An analysis of the mechanisms that were set in motion after these events revealed the processes to be integrated in the prevention of conjugal and family difficulties.

The Role of Stepfathers in Families Receiving Support from Child Protective Services

Abstract Purpose Despite the over-representation of stepfamilies in the clientele receiving protective services, there is still very little information about the different forms of the parental commitment of stepfathers in those families. However, the characteristics of families receiving child protective services (CPS) are likely to influence the way that the stepfathers’ commitment is expressed. Methodology/approach Taking into account the viewpoint of mothers (n = 10), stepfathers (n = 10), and adolescents (n = 10), this study attempted to document, using the free association method and semistructured interviews, the following: (1) the representations that the members of these stepfamilies had of the stepfathers’ parental commitment; and (2) the way in which engagement was expressed in daily life. Findings While the participants agreed that the stepfather had a parental role to play, that is to take care of the children, they did not necessarily agree about which dimensions were the most important. Whereas the adults emphasized the child-rearing dimension of this role and the necessary cooperation with the biological parents, the adolescents insisted on the relational aspect. The results likewise indicated that these men were very committed to their partners’ adolescents and showed that even in families challenged by problems that lead to involvement with CPS, stepfathers can play a positive, supportive role. Originality/value This study represents an important addition to the existing literature on the role of stepfathers in that it uses multiple measures and direct reports from father figures allowing us to explore the main dimensions of stepfather commitment.