noun
definition
One's parent's spouse who is not one's biological parent
Examples of stepparent in a Sentence
The individual who is not the biological parent of the child or children is referred to as the stepparent.
The role of the stepparent and status in the family is often unclear with regard to authority, level of involvement with the stepchild, and discipline.
Because in most divorces, primary custody is awarded to the biological mother, most stepfamilies involve stepfathers who become the full-time stepparent.
In rare cases, a biological father is awarded primary custody, and a stepmother can become a full-time stepparent.
Roles of the non-custodial parent and stepparent must be clearly defined to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
These stresses include the unclear role and authority of the stepparent, financial responsibility for stepchildren, conflict between custodial and noncustodial parents, and emotional tensions.
Many other children have lived in single-parent families for a time before their biological parent remarried, when they moved into a two-parent family with one biological parent and one stepparent.
In cases in which a stepparent may provide a more stable environment for a child than the biological parents, judges may still favor biological parents due to personal and societal beliefs about what constitutes a "normal" family.
However, in 1992, for example, stepparent adoptions (a form of kinship adoption) alone accounted for 42 percent of all adoptions.
Informal adoptions occur when a relative or stepparent assumes permanent parental responsibilities without court involvement.
While these data are non-specific, it is safe to say that a significant number of the stepchildren were neither kinship nor stepparent adoptions.
There isn't any tried and true formula for being a successful stepparent.
One of the most important steps you will ever take as a stepparent is to show respect for your stepchild's feelings and beliefs.
Add a stepparent into the mix, and you may feel that you have a formula for disaster.
In other words, if she is nice to her stepparent, she may feel that she is being disloyal to her other parent.
Any parent or carer that a young person lives with, this may include a stepparent, can be given an Order.
Domestic partners may receive health coverage under their spouse, rights to stepparent adoption, death benefits and in certain instances, estate administration.
A new stepparent and potential new siblings can create a stressful situation for the children involved.