What Are The Main Factors Causing Domestic Violence Against Stepchildren?
What Are The Main Factors Causing Domestic Violence Against Stepchildren?
What Are The Main Factors Causing Domestic Violence Against Stepchildren?
Erkin Hasanli
There is a popular belief that stepparents are inclined to use domestic violence against
stepchildren, who are more likely to be the victims of violence in comparison to children living
with their genetic parents. While this belief is based on common reasoning that stepparents are
usually ignorant towards children that do not carry their blood, the key determinants causing
domestic violence and child abuse against stepchildren may indeed vary. In this paper, the term
domestic violence refers to the use of violence or abuse within the home against other family
members. Moreover, while the term stepparent is used to define a stepfather and a stepmother,
who are individuals married to one of the genetic parents; the term stepchild is used to define the
child of a spouse’s from the previous marriage. In general, different types of domestic violence
might be practiced against stepchildren and the main violence categories include neglect, and
physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. However, genetic children can also be the victim of
domestic violence; therefore, it should be questioned whether stepchildren are more likely to be
the victims of domestic violence in comparison to children living with their two genetic parents.
In regard to this idea, this paper will conduct a literature review and study the following research
question: What are the main factors causing domestic violence against stepchildren and whether
stepchildren suffer from domestic violence more than genetic children? Hereby, the scope of this
study is concentrated on researching domestic violence against stepchildren and genetic children
First of all, the existing literature suggests contradicting findings about the use of
violence against stepchildren. According to Daly and Wilson (1996), stepchildren should not be
overrepresented regarding child abuse. They have presented the comparison of domestic violence
imposed on children by stepparents and genetic parents and by comparing different cases about
violence against children, Daly and Wilson (1996) have tried to provide an unbiased analysis to
explain that both genetic and stepparents can apply excessive forms of violence against children.
Hereby, the researchers reject the popular belief about the overrepresentation of child abuse
against stepchildren and argue that not all stepparents are abusive and genetic parents can be
abusive too. Moreover, a research study conducted by Temrin and others (2004) has also
presented similar research results. The researchers have questioned the presumption of
evolutionary psychologists by studying whether stepchildren are more likely to be the victims of
domestic violence in comparison to children living with their two genetic parents (Temrin et al.,
2004). The researchers have tested this idea by studying the data collected in Sweden over the
period of 35 years (1965-1999) and concluded that research findings do not support this
statement (Temrin et al., 2004). Indeed, the research findings show that genetic children are more
likely to be abused in comparison to stepchildren. Nevertheless, the findings of this study are
based on the cases examined in one of the world’s most developed countries during the last 20 th
Moreover, another research study conducted by Giles-Sims and Finkelhor (1984) also
concludes that the popular belief about stepparents’ abusive behavior towards children than do
not carry their genetics may not be true in all cases. Giles-Sims and Finkelhor (1984) have
studied whether the presumptions about child abuse in stepfamilies match with factual data. By
stress, selection, and resource theories, the research concludes that collected data do not support
the presumed relationship between the stepfamily structure and child abuse (Giles-Sims &
Finkelhor, 1984).
Last but not least, Adler-Baeder (2006) has also discussed stepchildren as the
previously conducted researches, Adler-Baeder (2006) states that most of the existing sources are
outdated literature and there is a need to conduct future researches on studying the process of
family interactions to find out whether stepchildren usually suffer from physical abuse by their
stepparents. In this article, the author provides guidance to understand why most sources written
about the physical abuse of stepchildren are incomprehensive and even inadequate.
On the other hand, one of the recent book chapters written by Debowska and others
(2020) reflects positive results regarding the use of violence by stepparents against non-genetic
children. Debowska and others (2020) conclude that stepparents are more likely to abuse
children in comparison to genetic parents. Moreover, the book explains that while genetic
parents tend to avoid harming their children, most stepparents can use excessive physical
violence against children, who may eventually die (Debowska et al., 2020, p. 22). The authors
explain that stepparents’ tendency to abuse children may be related to their unwillingness to
invest feelings and resources in children that do not carry their genetics (p. 22). The chapter also
states that abused stepchildren can develop mental and emotional health problems if the effects
of violence are not taken care of by social-care professionals (p. 23). Furthermore, according to
the research findings of a study conducted by Stewart (2010), family relations between
stepparents and non-genetic children are usually more negative while the use of domestic
violence is higher against the children. According to Stewart (2010), when a stepchild has a toxic
personality and there is no friendly communication with the stepparent, it is likely that the case
of child abuse will be higher in that family. Moreover, Stewart (2010) has found that domestic
violence against stepchildren usually becomes higher when the income level of the family is
lower. Hereby, there are both positive and negative findings regarding one of the most popular
beliefs that stepchildren are more likely to be the victim of domestic violence.
To move on with the key factors causing domestic violence against stepchildren, the
factors that can contribute to the development of violent attitudes towards stepchildren. The
researcher has outlined the key factors contributing to domestic violence against stepchildren as
stress, child age, parent age, and child disabilities (Schmeeckle, 2007). Moreover, according to
Daly and Wilson (1996), the educational and socio-cultural background of parents and their
relationship with children are the key factors affecting the level of the abusive relationship
between stepparents and stepchildren. Besides, according to the research findings of White and
Booth (1985), when stepparents experience financial problems or live in poverty, do not have a
high level of emotional intelligence, have childhood memories about getting abused by their
family members, and have a low educational background, the chances are high that there will be
Hereby, this paper has reviewed existing literature regarding the research question: What
are the main factors causing domestic violence against stepchildren and whether stepchildren
suffer from domestic violence more than genetic children? The literature review shows that there
are contradicting findings about the overrepresentation of stepchildren as the victims of domestic
violence. As most sources argue that stepchildren are likely to be the victims of domestic
violence similar to genetic children, the main focus should be placed on understanding the key
factors leading to child abuse in families. The literature review shows that most of the studies
conducted on the research topic present conclusions by studying small sample sizes, focusing on
studying the household structures while failing at considering the relationships between victim
and offender. Therefore, further study will be conducted to fill this gap in the existing literature
References:
Adler-Baeder, F. (2006). What do We Know about the Physical Abuse of Stepchildren? Journal
of Divorce & Remarriage, 44 (3), 67-81. doi:10.1300/J087v44n03_05. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/241745781_What_Do_We_Know_About_the_
Physical_Abuse_of_Stepchildren
Debowska, A., Hales, G., Boduszek, D. (2020). Violence against Children by Stepparents. The
Sage Handbook of Domestic Violence, 1-29. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340828678_Violence_against_children_by_ste
pparents
Daly, M., & Wilson, M. (1996). Violence against Stepchildren. Current Directions in
Psychological Science, 5(3), 77-81. Retrieved from
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Giles-Sims, J., & Finkelhor, D. (1984). Child Abuse in Stepfamilies. Family Relations, 33(3),
407-413. Doi: 10.2307/584711
Temrin, H., Johanna N., & Helena S. (2004). Are Stepchildren Over-Represented as Victims of
Lethal Parental Violence in Sweden? Proceedings: Biological Sciences, 271(Supplement
3), S124-S126. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.ada.idm.oclc.org/stable/4142577
White, L., & Booth, A. (1985). The Quality and Stability of Remarriages: The Role of