When the Brady Bunch grows up: step/half- and fullsibling relaionships in adulthood

Using data from the 1987-88 National Survey of Families and Households, this study compares contact with full- and step/halfsiblings in adulthood. Analysis shows that respondents keep in touch with their step/halfsibs, but see them significantly less often than their fullsibs. Generally, the same fa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of marriage and family 1992, Vol.54 (1), p.197-208
Main Authors: White, L.K, Riedman, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
academic achievement
adult sibling relationships
adults
age differences
family background
family relations
gender differences
geographical distribution
interpersonal relationships
kinship
nationalities and ethnic groups
relationships
religion
siblings
stepfamily
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Summary:Using data from the 1987-88 National Survey of Families and Households, this study compares contact with full- and step/halfsiblings in adulthood. Analysis shows that respondents keep in touch with their step/halfsibs, but see them significantly less often than their fullsibs. Generally, the same factors that encourage fullsib contact also encourage contact among step/halfsibs: respondent female, black, younger, and geographically closer. Having no fullsibs also encourages contact with step/halfsibs. Among those living in stepfamilies as children, length of time in the stepfamily and having a stepfather rather than a stepmother increase adult contact with step/halfsibs. Implications for the future are discussed.
ISSN:0022-2445
1741-3737