<P> Along with the "simple" and "complex", there are other terms that help describe the types of stepfamilies . The most popular types are neotraditional, matriarchal, and romantic . Neotraditional is the most common and has both parents sharing the responsibility of the children . In a matriarchal stepfamily, a strong, independent woman is in charge of the family with the stepfather becoming a mentor . Finally, a romantic stepfamily is when the two parents expect the combining of their separate families to run smoothly without realizing that issues will arise . </P> <P> If a stepparent legally adopts the partner's child or children, he or she becomes the child's legal parent . In such cases, the parents may stop using the terms "stepparent" and "stepchild" and instead refer to the child simply as their son or daughter; depending on the child's degree of affinity for the adoptive parent and / or approval of the legal proceedings culminating in the child's adoption, the child may likewise drop the "step -" designation from his / her description of the relationship . Even when all parties describe the relationship using the terms applied to biological and adoptive families, however, at least some of the emotional and psychological issues common to stepfamilies may persist . </P> <P> The earliest recorded use of the prefix step -, in the form steop -, is from an 8th - century glossary of Latin - Old English words meaning "orphan". Steopsunu is given for the Latin word filiaster and steopmoder for nouerca . Similar words recorded later in Old English include stepbairn, stepchild and stepfather . The words are used to denote a connection resulting from the remarriage of a widowed parent and are related to the word ástíeped meaning bereaved, with stepbairn and stepchild occasionally used simply as synonyms for orphan . Words such as stepbrother, stepniece and stepparent appeared much later and do not have any particular connotation of bereavement . Corresponding words in other Germanic languages include: Old High German stiuf - and Old Norse stjúp - . </P> <P> According to James Bray, three of the challenges facing a stepfamily are financial and living arrangements, resolving feelings about the previous marriage and anticipating parenting changes . Research has shown that parents who are constantly fighting with their ex-spouse tend to make their children suffer mentally and emotionally . However, parents who are close with their ex-spouse tend to make their new spouse insecure and anxious . </P>

Where did the word step parent come from
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