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Deconstructing dominant stepfamily narratives : freeing silent voices

Stepfamilies are shown by existing research as having multiple problems unique to this type of
family, some of which include role ambiguity, role strain, role captivity, increased stress and
adjustment problems in children.
Stepparents are portrayed as evil, abusive and wicked in the media, literature or film, while
stepchildren are variously portrayed as victims, naughty and manipulative.
These popular perceptions of stepfamilies appear to be shaped by myths or dominant narratives which
serve to shape stepfamily member's experience of and roles in the reconstituted family.
Drawing on the work of postmodernism, social constructionism and the narrative


theorists this study will expose those dominant narrative or myths which shape the experience of
two stepfamilies.
Using an emergent design, the experiences of these two families is described in an attempt to
highlight some of the implications such an approach holds for both further research and
psychotherapy. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/17585
Date12 1900
CreatorsAmoore, Neil John.
ContributorsFlowers, D. M.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeDissertation
Format1 online resource (182 leaves)

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