| The Wicked Stepmother Myth |
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Page 1 of 4 Nancy K. Recker, M.A., Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Allen
County, Assistant Professor, Ohio State University Extension, The Ohio
State University As we move into the twenty-first century, it is predicted that the stepfamily will be the family of the future. Today, one of every four children is a stepchild. Even though more and more research is being conducted on the stepfamily, there is little evidence which suggests the myth of the wicked stepmother is changing. Stepmothers in our culture are surrounded by myths. These myths make it difficult for the stepmother to "blend" into a new family and succeed in her new role. The two most prevalent myths are the evil stepmother and instant love. Myth 1: The Evil Stepmother There are over 900 stories written about evil or wicked stepmothers. They are particularly common in fairy tales, which suggest that stepmothers are comparable to wild animals and supernatural beings that treat children wickedly. In the past, the stepmother's role was to replace the child's biological mother who had died. Many of these bad examples are seen in such stories as "Cinderella" and "Snow White" where children are portrayed as victims who hate their stepmothers. |
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