Growth of reconstituted families

• Divorced people may marry or cohabit with new partners, sometimes bringing up children from either or both previous relationships. These are also known as re-formed or step-families. Some children find it difficult to relate to step-parents and vice-versa. Others enjoy having step-relatives as well as blood relatives, appreciating the additional bonds.
• The Exeter study of family breakdown and the effects on children concluded that, though parental conflict has adverse effects on children, their happiness, health and educational progress are more seriously affected when a parent leaves home. The loss of a second parent figure if a reconstituted family breaks up has even more impact on children.