When Stepfathers Claim Stepchildren

A Conceptual Analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID2282424
AuthorsWilliam Marsiglio (University of Florida, corresponding author)
Year2004
Volume66
Issue1
Pages22-39
Publication date2004-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Marriage and the Family (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-2445 • E-ISSN: 1741-3737
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1741-3737.2004.00002.x
OpenAlexW2055215864
LanguageEN
Citations received47
References cited37

Guided by social constructionist and symbolic interactionist perspectives and a grounded theory method, my conceptual analysis explores stepfathers' experiences with claiming stepchildren as their own. Using in-depth interviews with a diverse sample of 36 stepfathers, my analysis focuses on paternal claiming as a core category and generates 10 properties relevant to this social psychological phenomenon: timing, degree of deliberativeness, degree of identity conviction, paternal role range, solo-shared identity, mindfulness, propriety work, naming, seeking public recognition, and biological children as benchmarks. In addition, I consider how five conditions may influence stepfathers' perceptions of stepchildren. My analysis reveals a number of sensitizing concepts for studying stepfathers' efforts to develop a sense of group belonging and a fatherlike identity

Conviction · Identity (music · Perception · Social constructionism · Social science · Sociology · Stepfamily · Symbolic interactionism · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychology · Social Psychology · Work-Family Balance Challenges