Stepfathers no more likely to kill children than biological ones - study

[MelmothTheLost]

Stepfathers are no more likely to kill children in their care than biological parents — ending the myth of the so-called 'Cinderella effect'

Stepfathers are no more likely to be responsible for child deaths than biological parents, a new study has found.

It challenges a long-held belief that children are more likely to be abused if they are looked after by one or more stepparent – a link known as the 'Cinderella effect'.

Instead, scientists suggest age is a much better predictor of their likelihood to abuse children, with young men showing higher rates than older parents.

Stepfathers are no more likely to kill children than biological parents | Daily Mail Online

 

[meanmaryjean]

And it goes on to say (I think, it's poorly written) that mother's unmarried/ casual partners fall OUTSIDE the definition of 'step-parent' and we know anecdotally that a large number of such abuse/ murders are perpetrated by these men. I would LOVE to see the numbers on that.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Stepfathers are no more likely to kill children in their care than biological parents — ending the myth of the so-called 'Cinderella effect'



Stepfathers are no more likely to kill children than biological parents | Daily Mail Online

There are statistics supporting this which has been taken for years. It can be found by searching 'maltreatment of children'.

I am away from my computer now or I would link it myself. In fact iirc..stepfathers or live in boyfriend's are the least likely group to do harm to children livinrg in the home.

And many of these live in boyfriends are often the biological fathers to some or all of the children.

Imo the vast majority of maltreatment to children are committed by a biological parent or both.

Iirc from the last statistic I read most abuse..such as dangerous gross neglect including physical..emotional abuse starvation..putting in closets ect is often done by the children's biological mothers. I think it's around 59 percent and when it comes to murder both biological mothers and fathers are running neck and neck at 31 percent each.

Imo..so I agree it's a myth about stepfathers and live in boyfriends who are not related... when they are involved in about 4 percent of the cases iirc. For that matter the 4 percent also includes stepmothers and live in girlfriends.

The number will increase for both genders in the live in category because less and less parents are getting married when they have children. They may be listed as a live in partner when they actually are the bio parents.

Jmo

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I would like to see the stats on how many single moms and live in boyfriend's are becoming child abuse teams where they both are deeply involved in gross abuse with many resulting in the murder of the children.

It seems I read a case every week where it is happening.

 

[jackdaw]

Cold comfort, somehow.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

And it goes on to say (I think, it's poorly written) that mother's unmarried/ casual partners fall OUTSIDE the definition of 'step-parent' and we know anecdotally that a large number of such abuse/ murders are perpetrated by these men. I would LOVE to see the numbers on that.

Me too.

I think that category is increasing and more and more seem to involve the single mom conspiring together with a live in boyfriend where they both were involved in the gross abuse and/or murder and cover up.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Cold comfort, somehow.

It brings us back to brutal reality that is uncomfortable to even think about.

The vast majority of abused and murdered children are abused and/or murdered by one or both biological parents. It's been that way unfortunately for decades and only seems to worsen.

 

[jackdaw]

It brings us back to brutal reality that is uncomfortable to even think about.

The vast majority of abused and murdered children are abused and/or murdered by one or both biological parents. It's been that way unfortunately for decades and only seems to worsen.

Indeed.

But life for infants and children has always been brutal, I think. Dark, dark side of human nature, such a pity. Suffer the little children, indeed.