A new research paper published in the Journal of Social Philosophy from Associate Professor Luara Ferracioli advocates for greater social and legal recognition of stepparent-stepchild relationships, arguing they can hold the same significance as a child's relationship with their biological or adoptive parents.
"Social scripts tell us that stepparents are not real parents, even if they do all the things a biological parent would," Associate Professor Ferracioli said.
"As a result, stepparents are often overlooked in both social and legal contexts, leaving them and the children they care for in vulnerable positions if the romantic relationship with the biological or adoptive parent ends."
Stepparents play a valuable role in children's lives
Although many stepparents are active partners in creating the loving conditions for a stepchild to succeed, from providing care and support to taking on the financial costs of education and healthcare, Associate Professor Ferracioli says they are seldom afforded the same social status as biological or adoptive parents.
"Social norms constantly tell us that stepparent families are less conducive to children flourishing, whether that's because of the view that the family is broken, or the widespread misconception that a stepparent-stepchild relationship can fracture the child's relationship with their biological parents," she said.
The stepparent-stepchild relationship is often seen as secondary to the partnership between the stepparent and biological parent. Consequently, it's socially accepted that the bond will end if the romantic relationship dissolves. Associate Professor Ferracioli said this oversight can result in significant trauma for a child.
"For many children, the end of a stepparent-stepchild relationship can be a significant source of pain, grief, and trauma. Psychology experts and testimonials from stepparent-stepchild families tell us that it's not only children, but stepparents too who suffer devastation from being prevented from continuing a relationship with their stepchild.
"Acknowledging the evidence that confirms stepparents play a valuable role in children's lives is the first step to resolving the unfair and unvalidated prejudice towards stepparenting."
Moral parenting and legal rights
In Australia, legal protections for the stepparent-stepchild relationship can be ambiguous unless adoption takes place. Associate Professor Luara Ferracioli said this potentially makes it difficult for the stepparent-stepchild relationship to survive if the romantic relationship breaks up or the biological parent passes away.
When a stepparent-stepchild relationship holds moral parity with a biological relationship, she argues that stepparents are moral parents and should be granted the same legal rights and pathways as a biological parent when it comes to being considered for shared custody.
"A moral parent understands that the parent-child relationship is valuable, and that it enriches their life significantly. Unlike someone who merely performs parental duties out of obligation to a partner, a moral parent actively participates in the child's life, making sacrifices and taking on responsibilities to advance the child's interests.
"This dedication and authority in the child's life reflects a deep, independent bond that doesn't waver with the end of the romantic relationship."
Rethinking parenthood
Reframing how we view stepparent-child relationships and accepting the concept of multiple moral parents can lead to more supportive legal frameworks for children.
"Society's conception of parenthood needs to evolve to include stepparents as moral parents," Associate Professor Ferracioli said. "Then, courts and legal frameworks will be in a better position to consider the best interests of children by maintaining their relationships with all moral parents, moving beyond outdated biases against stepparents."
"Once we stop seeing children as the property of their parents and start seeing them as beings with equal and independent moral status, we will be less troubled by the prospect of multiple moral parents, and children can receive the stability and care they need to thrive. We might even come to realise that multiple parents are the ideal, not the dysfunctional model it has been positioned to be."
DECLARATION
This work was supported by the Australian Research Council (DE220100387).
