Similarities and Variations in Stepfamily Dynamics among Selected Asian Societies

Abstract

Stepfamilies, an emerging family form in Asia, are gaining growing academic and social attention in Asia. This paper presents an overview of stepfamilies in Asia, based primarily on research findings in Japan, which suggest underlying two competing stepfamily models as key factors in understanding stepfamily dynamics: the “scrap and build” household model versus the expanded and interconnected network model. The findings in Japan are, then, juxtaposed with existing research findings on stepfamilies in East Asia and Singapore in terms of (a) cultural views on stepfamilies; (b) values of grandparenting, mothering, and fathering; and (c) family law and policies. Some commonalities are found in remaining influence of the “scrap and build” household model and in recent policy changes toward the expanded and interconnected network model, along with some variations, across these societies. Evidently, more studies across Asian societies are needed to obtain a clearer picture of stepfamilies in Asia.

Parental Investment by Birth Fathers and Stepfathers

“…More research on different societies is needed to know how universal this pattern may be. Huge variation in parental investment after divorce and remarriage exists between cultures; for example, in many Asian countries expectations of roles of noncustodial parents and stepparents reportedly differ in various ways from those in the modern West (Nozawa, 2020 ).…”