1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«This study focused on people’s views on different aspects of stepfamilies, the goal being to take a close, up-to-date look at the subject. The goal of the analyses was also to verify whether this view was consensual or diversified throughout society and, if it was diversified, to identify the sociodemographic characteristics that were associated with different subgroups.» (p. 16)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«More specifically, this study addresses the following questions: What are people’s positions regarding the various dimensions of stepfamilies? Is it possible to distinguish groups whose views about stepfamilies have certain similarities or, on the contrary, are different? If such is the case, what are the sociodemographic profiles of these subgroups?» (p. 3)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
L’échantillon est composé de 1202 Québécois.e.s (701 hommes et 501 femmes).

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

The results show that «people’s general opinion of the stepfamily as a unit showed that stepfamilies were not generally perceived as being of “less value” than were two-biological-parent families, but they were certainly described less positively. This was also the case for single-parent families.» (p. 16) Moreover, the «results support the idea of a favorability continuum regarding stepfamilies, as [the authors] were able to form three subgroups. However, not all the stepfamily dimensions examined here helped to form these groups. Indeed, the mean scores for the negative stereotypes associated with stepfathers and for stepparents’ rights and responsibilities were homogeneous from one group to another. This would seem to indicate that—whether or not the opinion was favorable toward: [the] stepfamily as a unit, [the] future of children, and [the] general perception about stepparents—negative stereotypes about stepfathers were present in all the classes. Also, opinions about stepparents’ rights and responsibilities did not greatly fluctuate, granting many rights to stepparents from one class to the next. It would, thus, seem that people’s views about stepfamilies are nuanced rather than black and white.» (p. 18) Overall, this «study allows us to understand people’s positions regarding the diversity of family structures that characterize numerous Western societies. It provides important information for organizations responsible for updating family law and social policies.» (p. 19-20)