Multicultural Stepfamilies

Featuring illuminating chapters written by scholars within the discipline, Multicultural Stepfamilies presents readers with new research and insight into the composition and diversity of modern stepfamilies. Through the lenses of diversity, inclusiveness, and intersectionality, the text explores the ways in which race, ethnicity, religion, and culture can influence stepfamily structure and dynamics.

Over the course of eight chapters, readers increase their awareness of the growing population of non-white, non-Christian stepfamilies. The text summarizes and critiques the existing literature on stepfamilies among various groups and proposes avenues for future policy, practice, and research. It features scholars’ original data analysis, providing new information on cultural differences in stepfamily structure, attitudes, perceptions, and more. Each chapter contains a vignette designed to deepen readers’ understanding of stepfamily life “on the ground” as opposed to relying solely on hypothetical, theoretical, and empirical models. Dedicated chapters address stepfamily research bias, religious diversity in stepfamilies, and the unique features and dynamics of African American, Hispanic, American Indian, and East Asian stepfamilies.

Filling a gap in current literature and providing direction for future research in the discipline, Multicultural Stepfamilies is an ideal text for courses in sociology, social work, and family studies.

Susan Stewart is a professor of sociology at Iowa State University. She received her doctorate in sociology from Bowling Green State University. Dr. Stewart’s research focuses on gender, family complexity, and children and adults’ physical, social, and emotional health.

Gordon Limb is a professor and the director of the School of Social Work at Brigham Young University. He received his doctorate in social work from the University of California at Berkeley and his master’s in social work from the University of Utah. Dr. Limb’s research involves examining practice and policy issues that impact Native American families and children.