The days of subscribing to the term "step-family" seems to be dying out slowly but surely, or is it?
What is the hype of using the term “step” all about? Is it that terms such as blended, or bonus adds sugar on top?
Let’s define the terms famously used to describe two families, combined as a result of two adults forming a relationship where children exist from previous relationships.
Blended Family: A family consisting of a couple and their children from this and all previous relationships
Step-Family: A family that is formed on the remarriage of a divorced or widowed person and that includes one or more children.
Bonus family: Members of a family related by living together or the remarriage of a parent and not by blood, who have made the formal commitment to care and support each other throughout life.
Reconstituted family: The sociological term for the joining of two adults via marriage, cohabitation or civil partnership, who have children from previous relationships.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of step-families adopting the term “blended.” It seems as though, the wicked stepmother, along with the negative media portrayals of stepparents, have people rejecting the “Step” label, saying it carries a stigma.
No matter how you mix it, whether you prefer the term step-family, blended family, Para Kin, or Bonus Family, whatever title you choose is truly secondary to the way that you think of the relationships with the people that you're involved with. Instead of viewing the term “Step family”, as a word of disconnect, think about your driving force behind the reasons for why you chose your family title of choice.
So is it fair to say that the parents of a blended family homes should be referred to as “blended mom & dad”, “Bonus mom & dad”, ”reconstituted mom & dad”, “Step- mom & dad” or introduced with first names?
It’s one thing for a person to select their adjective of choice to describe their two conjoining families, but it’s another thing to be offended by someone who innocently chooses a term to define your family make-up.
So you say you’re a _________ Family?
What determines which road you choose, when describing your family dynamic?
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