Joyce had two teenage children when she remarried Travis. Her 14-year-old daughter was dead set against the marriage. She claimed to hate Travis and showed it in every way she could. She would not eat at the same table with him. She swore at him and called him names, both privately and publicly. Finally, in frustration, Travis made her come to the dinner table one evening and sit with the family. Without telling anyone, she called the police and reported that her stepfather was molesting and beating her. The police appeared at the door shortly after dinner, took Travis down to headquarters, and charged him with child abuse. Although the charges were completely untrue and quickly dropped, the episode caused such trauma to the family that Travis decided he could take no more and left the home. After a long period of counseling, the daughter came to terms with her mother’s divorce and remarriage. But the damage done to the couple’s relationship was never to be repaired.
1. Do you know any stepfamilies in which a child so dislikes the stepparent that they deliberately cause trouble in the marriage? Explain, without identifying them.
2. Can you think of any suggestions for Joyce and Travis that might help them cope with the resentful daughter?
