NCJ Number
117000
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper evaluates five theories used to explain the presumption of increased risk of child abuse in stepfamilies: social-evolutionary, normative, stress, selection, and resource theory.
Abstract
Social evolutionary theory posits that stepparents have less parental investment in offspring than biological parents and, therefore, are more likely to be physically abusive. This theory also suggests that sexual abuse is more likely because incest avoidance mechanisms are lacking. Normative theory posits that sexual abuse is more likely because taboos against incest are weaker for nonblood than for blood kin. Stress theory suggests that the unique problems of stepfamilies in the areas of authority to discipline, family loyalty, lack of established guidelines for familial roles, and increased opportunities for conflicts in values in belief create additional stresses that may contribute to physical and sexual abuse. Resource theory applied to physical abuse in stepfamilies focuses on the legitimacy of the power position of stepparents and family dynamics that may block the stepparent from a position of authority. Finally, another theory suggests that the association between child abuse and stepfamilies is spurious and is attributable to selection factors. Each of these theories has strengths and weaknesses, and its likely that no one factor or set of factors is sufficient to explain abuse in stepfamilies. Further research should aim at exploring questions raised by all of these theories. 4 notes and 45 references.