Sadomasochistic Reenactments: Are You Trapped In One?

Stepmothers frequently find themselves on the wrong side of power. Some may be trapped in a sadomasochistic reenactment.

You might know from reading my blog and/or my book that I tend to look to sociology, human behavioral ecology, history, and even literary theory when I'm trying to explain what happens in stepfamilies and why women with stepkids think, feel, and act the way we do. I don't think psychology alone can adequately explain our culture's deep suspicion of and antipathy toward...