Representaciones sociales acerca de las figuras de padrastro y madrastra.

Resumen

The rise of divorce rates in recent decades in Spain has increased the number of non-conventional families, such as stepfamilies. The relationship dynamics of these families are complex due to, among other factors, the new relationships that develop between step-parents and their stepchildren. The aim of this study is to explore the concept of stepfather and stepmother that has been elaborated by different generations following social changes. 593 participants of both sexes collaborated in the study. They were distributed according to age group (adolescents, young adults, intermediate adults, older adults), and degree of personal experience of family separation/divorce. All answered an open interview on the topic explored. The results show some effects of the independent variables. Moreover, the results show that the participants' concepts of stepmother and stepfather mainly involve the couple subsystem. This could explain some of the difficulties observed between stepfathers/stepmothers and their stepchildren. It would be advisable, then, to promote within our society a clearer and more precise concept of these figures in order to generate more realistic expectations about the roles of the stepmother and stepfather within the family system and thus facilitate better family relationships.