---
title: "Stepfamilies"
description: "More than four-in-ten adults have at least one step relative in their family."
date: "2011-02-03"
authors:
  - name: "Pew Research Center"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2011/02/03/stepfamilies/"
---

# Stepfamilies

Whether it is a parent, sibling or child, more than four-in-ten American adults (41%) have at least one step relative in their family. The most common relationship is sibling. Three-in-ten adults (30%) have a step or half brother or sister. Close to one-in-five adults (18%) have a living stepparent, while 13% of adults have a stepchild. People with step relatives are just as likely as others to say that family is the most important element of their life. However, they typically feel a stronger sense of obligation to their biological family members (be it a parent, a child or a sibling) than to their step relatives, the survey finds. Seven-in-ten adults who have at least one step relative say they are very satisfied with their family life, compared with 78% of those who don’t have any step relatives. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1860/survey-stepfamilies-demographics-opinions)