A stepfamily is formed when parents re-partner following separation or the death of their partner and there is at least one resident stepchild of either member of the couple. The blended family contains a resident stepchild but also a natural or adopted child of both parents.

Unlike first families, stepfamilies have very few role models or social expectations to live up to. In daily life models of families surround us with two adults and their children and we’re even used to often seeing single parent families portrayed in the media.