Stepparents owed respect and obedience

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

— Q:What is the role of a stepparent in parenting teenage stepchildren? My 19-year-old stepson moved in with us several months ago and is disrupting our marriage. He does what he wants, when he wants, and there are no consequences. How does one deal with a child that age when he refuses to follow the rules of the house?

AContrary to the advice given by most mental-health professionals, even Dr. Phil, the proper role of a stepparent is to be a responsible parent, with all the privileges and authority pertaining thereto. The operative word is thenoun, “parent,” not the prefix, “step.” The same applies to the word “stepfamily.”

I was raised by a stepfather who acted as though when I was in his home, he was my father, a person with full authority over me. He was not astep, someone to be walked on. My mother, to her inestimable credit, never interfered in his discipline of me.

I benefited from that even though there were times when I didn’t like it. When it came to my stepfather, my mother did not enable disrespect or disobedience. He certainly benefited from that, but I benefited even more. Our family worked better as a result.

The problem in many, if not most, of today’s so-called stepfamilies is that the stepparent is effectively disempowered by the “real” parent; therefore, the children donot have reason to respect or obey the stepparent. In these families, the emphasis is on the prefix “step.” I think it is significant that you didn’t mention your husband, but certainly implied that he enables his son’s disrespect of you and disregard of rules by imposing no consequences on his provocative, narcissistic behavior.

It is your husband’s responsibility to straighten out this young man, to let him know that he does not have permission to treat his wife with anything but the utmost respect. Is your husband willing to do that? Is hewilling to put his foot down and tell his son that it’s either his way or the highway? If he’s not, then I am not going to pull any punches here: He’s lost his spine. But if so, he is in the company of many equally spineless men who value their relationships with the children of their first marriages over their relationships with their current spouses. And by the way, this indictment is not limited to male parents.

There are plenty of mothers out there who will not let their stephusbands discipline children that are not “their own.” The question becomes:Who are these people married to anyway?

In my estimation, a 19-yearold who disrespects a stepparent and will not follow the rules of the house should find his own house. Tomorrow, if not sooner. While he is away, change the locks, put his possessions on the front stoop, and pin a note to them wishing him well in his new adventure.

John Rosemond is a family psychologist and the author of several books on rearing children. Write to him at The Leadership Parenting Institute, 1391-A E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, N.C. 28054; or see his website at

rosemond.com

Family, Pages 43 on 11/07/2012