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Blended Family Conflict Sources in this Link

TheOtherMom's picture

Submitted by TheOtherMom on Sun, 07/04/2010 - 3:24pm

I am taking a Sociology Course about Families in Transition. My research paper is about Step Parents. Sadly, ST is not a valid website for material but it is definitely good for examples of problem situations.
At any rate, I found out that there are at least 5 problems that BM and I have and I am committed to fixing them so as to avoid the mere grief that send me to this site to vent.

http://www.stepfamilymagazine.com/2008/06/25/blended-family-problems-21-...

Comments

Old Timer's picture

Submitted by Old Timer on Mon, 07/05/2010 - 5:38am

Othermom, why isn't ST "a valid website for material" for your studies?

I'm curious because I've been hoping that Dawn or someone would be able to use ST as the basis for a masters thesis or doctoral dissertation. Perhaps you have already thought of this and could share your ideas?

thanks!

arjuna79's picture

Submitted by arjuna79 on Mon, 07/05/2010 - 7:54am

OT, it is probably just a reflection of their criteria for research information. when I was in my doctoral program, anecdotal web sites, no matter how valuable their support or personal information, were not considered scientifically valid data. anecdote does not equal data, that's all.

TheOtherMom's picture

Submitted by TheOtherMom on Tue, 07/06/2010 - 9:00pm

Old Timer,
ST is completely opinionated by definition, but at times, it can be somewhat like Montel or one of those dramatic talk shows. But yes it is definitely a good source for studying the dynamics of stepfamilies ...
I brought a few examples (no names of course) to my professor and she said "I simply don't believe these stories to be true!"
Tell me about it lady.
Living the dream ...

StepMadre's picture

Submitted by StepMadre on Wed, 07/07/2010 - 1:37am

Yeah, this website naturally draws people who are having difficulty in their step-families and definitely doesn't represent those that are happy and don't have these problems. I don't where they are, but they would have no reason to be on ST! There are great BMs and great SMs and some that get along and have happy, mutually friendly relationships, but you will not find them on a website specifically made for unhappy step-parents to vent about their lives!

That said, I think a study of the problems in step-families based on ST research could be really interesting. I am in talks with some people about possibly collaborating on a book on step-mothering specifically, with real women and their experiences compiled into topic chapters. I love to write and have been given some cool opportunities to meet people in the publishing field and would really love to do this. It won't be a research based book, although we will use solid research for the factual information and statistics. Each SM is going to be introduced with a summary of her issues and then we will have blog-like autobiographical sections in the SMs own words. There are a lot of Step-books out there, but I haven't seen one that would be comparable to the one I'd like to publish eventually. I think this is a great resource and when I see really eloquent writers on here with interesting situations, I know that I will have no problem finding suitable women to submit their stories. I personally would have found it immensely comforting to have had a book like that when I was a newlywed and new SM.

Anyway, sorry that went off topic! I just meant to say that I think this site would make an excellent resource for anyone studying troubled blended families, but probably not the most unbiased group ever!