Hughes, Christina, 1952- (1988) An ethnographic study of the stepfamily. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis is an ethnographic study of the stepfamily
that was conducted between May 1985 and July 1986.

The main methods of social investigation were
participant observation, unstructured interviews and
documentary evidence. The study examines the role of
myth and its importance in the stepfamily from the view
point of the stepparent. Special consideration has
been given to consider the gender implications of
step-parenthood and remarriage and the place of myth in
the structuring of gender and stepfamily experiences.
An opening chapter surveys the theoretical background
to the study.

Chapter Two introduces the families who took part in
the study and contextualises their concerns. There are
further chapters which examine the myth of the wicked
stepmother, the importance of reciprocity in
stepparent-stepchild relationships, the gender
experience of second marriage and myth construction in
the stepfamily.

Chapter Seven serves as a summary and
concludes that myth has a dual function in stepfamily
life. Specifically, myths impose constraints on the
stepmother's freedom of action which is not evidenced
for stepfathers. Nevertheless, through the
construction of myths within the stepfamily, myths
serve a legitimating role for both stepparents which
form the basis of step-parental perception.

Appendices A and B are concerned with the research
process and, given the personal nature of the research
to the researcher, stand as an integral part of the
thesis. In Appendix A two issues are considered. The
importance of biography in the research process and the
methods employed. Appendix B sets out the aides memoires
used for unstructured interviews.

Finally, Appendix C contains stepfamily trees and
serves as a presentation device to indicate the various
stepfamily relationships.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Stepfamilies, Remarriage, Interpersonal relations
Official Date:	September 1988
Dates:	Date Event September 1988 UNSPECIFIED
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Sociology
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Burgess, Bob
Sponsors:	Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain)
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	iii, 462 leaves
Language:	eng

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