Do MOST people actually love and see their step-parents as their actual parent?

[LarryWheels]

It seems very common that when a person is upset at their step-parent (s), they often feel the need to remind them that they aren't their biological parent (s). There are even stories where a step father, that raised a girl for most her life, got sidelined by the biological father, for the privilege to walk her down the aisle at her wedding. Even tv shows/movies acknowledge this cliche, as often step children, when enraged/upset, will remind the step father/mother that they aren't their real parent and to back off being a parent to them or calling them their child.

As the saying goes, people are most honest when they are angry at someone, so it feels like a lot of people deep down don't really love and respect their step mother/father, and they are just seen as a means to an ends to help them survive when they were young.

Yes

No

[petitedollbabee]

Step parents often will never truly be viewed as a parent, but ultimately it depends on which parent they’re “replacing”. For example, my biological Dad is a crappy parent. He was very abusive to me while I was growing up. And then we cut contact last year. My Step Dad came in to my life when I was 10, and I have always viewed him as more of a Dad than my biological Dad. I have always respected him more, he has never been abusive and has always been the voice of reason in the family. Someone you can turn to for anything and an overall big helper. I don’t remember a single time where I’ve felt angry at him, he has never given me a reason to believe he’s being unfair or treating me poorly.

[Sunrising]

Perhaps a true parent has died, then a step parent will never be able to replace them, but they should be given the respect as a parent. Also your other true parent deserves another chance of finding love, and I think they should be helped to make their relationship work for their happiness too.