Stepmothers’ Perceptions and Experiences of the Wicked Stepmother Stereotype

Abstract

Stepfamilies are a common family form. Despite this, negative stereotypes of stepfamilies, and in particular, stepmothers still exist. This study used qualitative methods to examine stepmothers’ experiences of the wicked stepmother stereotype. One hundred and thirty-four stepmothers living in New Zealand completed an online questionnaire about their experiences of the stereotype and strategies for coping. The majority of stepmothers reported awareness of or identification with the stereotype in salient stepfamily situations. These included situations in which they judged themselves according to gendered expectations of motherhood. They also perceived they were stereotyped by stepchildren, stepchildren’s mothers, and social institutions. They reported a number of cognitive and behavioral strategies for coping with the stigma attached to the wicked stepmother stereotype, including seeking support, using humor, adopting a resistant attitude, engaging in strategies designed to minimize the relevance of the stereotype, and concealment.