Good points. I think more explanatory power is in boring things like step parents are a bit more likely feel they aren't responsible for their step children (or indeed defer to the natural parents) and perhaps resent the competition for attention/affection. And of course the vast majority of step fathers are not abusive at all.
Indeed, my own stepfather made it clear that he married the woman, not the children she brought with her. That the mother agreed to this marriage should itself be considered child abuse.
Good points. I think more explanatory power is in boring things like step parents are a bit more likely feel they aren't responsible for their step children (or indeed defer to the natural parents) and perhaps resent the competition for attention/affection. And of course the vast majority of step fathers are not abusive at all.
Indeed, my own stepfather made it clear that he married the woman, not the children she brought with her. That the mother agreed to this marriage should itself be considered child abuse.