Love and Power in the Step Family

Published in 1986 by McGraw-Hill, Love and Power in the Step Family was written by Jamie Kelem Keshet to address the growing complexity of reconstituted families in the late twentieth century. During this era, as divorce and remarriage rates shifted social norms, clinical literature began to move away from treating the stepfamily as a broken nuclear unit, instead acknowledging it as a distinct and challenging family structure. Keshet aimed to provide a practical guide for parents and stepparents attempting to navigate the inherent power dynamics and boundary issues common in these households.

The book is regarded as a thoughtful contribution to family psychology, grounding its advice in developmental theory and direct observational experience. Keshet emphasizes the importance of communication and realistic expectations, focusing on how individuals can exert healthy agency within new marital and parental roles. It was well-received by social workers and family therapists for its accessible prose and empathetic stance toward the frustrations of step-parenting, helping to normalize the common struggles of blending different family histories and allegiances.