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Overview
In Stepdads: Stories of Love, Hope, and Repair, William Marsiglio addresses provocative and timely questions facing stepfathers, single mothers, and remarried couples today. Drawing on revealing in-depth interviews, Marsiglio explores how stepfathers and their partners with minor children of all ages make sense of their feelings and circumstances while managing the challenges of their unconventional families. He outlines individual, social, and legal strategies to enhance stepfathers,' mothers,' and children's lives.
Synopsis
This book addresses provocative and timely questions facing stepfathers, single mothers, and remarried couples today.
Editorials
Jeannette Lofas
A 'must-read' book for stepfathers, their wives, and partners. And especially those who are 'thinking about it.' Beautifully written . . . an important book for our times.Andrew Cherlin
Stepdads is the best examination yet of the inner worlds of stepfathers. It provides a good sense of the great diversity among stepfamilies and of the challenges that many stepfathers successfully surmount in creating a place for themselves in their new families.Paul Amato
Stepdads is a major contribution to the literature on stepfamilies. Despite the fact that stepfathers are increasing in number every year, we still know relatively little about their experiences, feelings, and views. Based on interviews with stepfathers, William Marsiglio provides an informative and sensitive account of what it is like to be a stepfather in America today. This book should be of interest, not only to stepfathers and their families, but also to family educators, counselors, and scholars. Stepdads is the best book currently available on this topic.Scott Coltrane
Stepdads offers an intimate look at a rarely explored situation: living in a stepfather family. Marsiglio is an accomplished interviewer who describes in captivating detail the hopes, fears, struggles, and triumphs of his stepfather informants. Not only does Stepdads illuminate a wide range of personal experiences, but it also helps the reader understand the sociological significance of this increasingly common family arrangement. The book is must reading for anyone who wants to understand what it means to be a stepfather.Kathleen E. Conroy
Gives families coping with marital change and family integration a great stepping stone toward healthy adjustment.Chicago Parent -
Written in accessible language, this book covers many of the challenges stepfathers face in trying to build harmonious homes and close relationships with their stepchildren. Although this book holds particular interest for stepfathers, single mothers and remarried couples, it also has a broader appeal because of how it addresses parenting issues.CHOICE -
These true stories draw attention to the interrelated paths of personal, familial, and cultural layers of stepfathering, making this book a significant contribution to the growing literature on blended families. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.Contemporary Sociology -
Stepdads is unique and timely in its in-depth research on pathways into stepfathering and the variety of stepfather families...This is a top-notch book, well conceived and written.American Journal of Sociology
The author has crafted an exemplary, thoughtful, and riveting journey into the worlds of stepfathers.Family Times
Answers provocative and timely questions.San Diego Family Magazine
Marsiglio presents real-life interviews with stepdads, designed to help men with self-image and partial identity issues. The real-life interviews are fascinating; the issues and feelings are universal.Chicago Parent
Written in accessible language, this book covers many of the challenges stepfathers face in trying to build harmonious homes and close relationships with their stepchildren. Although this book holds particular interest for stepfathers, single mothers and remarried couples, it also has a broader appeal because of how it addresses parenting issues.β Jeff Kelly Lowenstein
CHOICE
These true stories draw attention to the interrelated paths of personal, familial, and cultural layers of stepfathering, making this book a significant contribution to the growing literature on blended families. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.β D.A. Chekki, emeritus, University of Winnipeg
Atlanta Parent
This book is a great learning tool for blended families. It will help you adjust to the changes and understand roles each person can take on. By confronting questions that many stepdads often ask, the book will give an outline to family dynamics and ways to bond, negotiate and discipline.Contemporary Sociology
Stepdads is unique and timely in its in-depth research on pathways into stepfathering and the variety of stepfather families...This is a top-notch book, well conceived and written.β Sandra Hofferth, University of Maryland