According to Draughon (1975), what are three possible roles that a stepmother could play in a daughter's life?

• A. Other mother, sister, friend
• B. Other mother, primary mother, friend
• C. Teacher, grandmother, counselor
• D. Aunt, primary mother, rival parent

Answer: (B)

In stepfamily dynamics, a stepmother can assume a range of maternal roles that shape how a daughter experiences care and support. One role is the other mother—a nurturing, caregiving presence who provides guidance and emotional support without necessarily replacing the biological mother. Another role is the primary mother, where the stepmother becomes the main caregiver and authority figure in day-to-day life, taking on central maternal responsibilities in the household. The third role is the friend, offering trust, companionship, and a supportive relationship that emphasizes connection rather than hierarchy.

This trio—other mother, primary mother, and friend—captures the flexibility of how a stepmother can influence a daughter’s adjustment in a blended family, from providing consistent care and boundaries to offering closeness and emotional support. Other common roles outside this pattern aren’t part of Draughon’s described framework.