Can a stepfather or stepmother beat or hit the child of their spouse?

Answer 1

I'm a stepchild or teen if you will. You can, but let them know why. When my step mom disciplines me I feel like she is abusing her power.

Stepparents have to be able to discipline stepchildren just as they would their own children no more no less. You wouldn't take your own children sneaking out or back talking or skipping school you shouldn't from a stepchild either. When the parents become married and the families combine they are just that families no separating. my husband and I do not have children together but between us WE have 8 children and they are OUR children not his not mine but OURS we love them, protect them and show them right from wrong its family and all should be treated equal. None should get special treatment if one does they all do.

Answer 2

Some natural parents, step parents, and other adults entrusted with caring for children abuse children in various ways. Emotional abuse is the most common, followed by physical abuse, followed by sexual abuse.

Step parents appear more likely to abuse children, for various reasons. However, this doesn't mean all step parents are likely to abuse children, any more than all parents, or all adults in general are likely to abuse children.

Any form of abuse is disgraceful and should not be tolerated. Regardless of who the abuser is, steps should be taken immediately the abuse becomes apparent to protect the child in question from further harm.

We all need to realize there is no excuse for abuse against anyone at all, and that it's not just okay, but essential, to tell someone if we, or someone we know, is being ill-treated.

If the first person we tell doesn't help, that is their problem. Just keep trying until someone listens properly and takes action.

Answer 3

No.

Neither can the biological parent.

Hitting a child, whether you're a step parent, a parent, family member or non-family member is illegal and will result in you being jailed and the child rehomed through foster care.

Answer 4

No, step parents cannot hit children. Parents cannot hit children. Step-parents can discipline children, but they cannot hit children.