Blended families are more common than ever in the United States. Also known as stepfamilies, or remarried families, this type of familial structure makes up around 40 percent of all American homes.
When blended families involve children, things can get even more complicated. Two types of sibling relationships outside of full-blooded siblings are half-siblings and step-siblings.
You may have heard of these terms before, but what exactly do they mean? What is the difference between half and step-siblings? Read on to find out.
What are Half-Siblings?
In most cases, half-siblings share a single parent, and either have a different father or mother. This means they share approximately half of their DNA and are blood-related.
Even though half-siblings only share one parent, they often consider themselves to be full siblings, especially if they grew up together. Sometimes a parent will remarry, and one sibling has a different father or mother.
With the advent of DNA testing in recent years, more and more people have found relatives they never knew existed. It is common to discover a half-sibling as the result of a long-ago relationship, or even an extramarital affair.
If you want to learn more, you can read about sibling DNA testing to find a blood relative. You could have a half-brother or half-sister out in the world that you did not even know existed.
What are Step-Siblings?
Unlike half-siblings, a stepbrother or stepsister is not related to you at all. These siblings are a result of the marriage of their parents, and they were the result of a previous relationship or marriage.
Although it is uncommon, step-siblings can technically even get married and have children together, since they do not share any DNA. Therefore, you won’t be able to use services such as DNA testing to find step-siblings; you have to rely on other sources of information to track them down.
You may find that you are closer to your step-siblings than even half-siblings, depending on your family situation. It is vital to remember that sometimes your most important relationships are not with a blood relative but with a chosen family.
Similarities Between Half and Step-Siblings
Although half and step-siblings can be very different, both types of relationships have similarities. Becoming a blended family can be difficult if all parties aren’t on board with the transition.
Both half and step-siblings may feel like they have a harder time connecting than with traditional, full-blooded siblings. They may recognize the differences in genetics and personality traits that separate them.
On the flip side, step-siblings and half-siblings may find themselves closer to each other than to other family members. The bonds of shared experiences and similar upbringings can be more powerful than being related solely by blood.
Know the Difference Between Half and Step-Siblings
It is important to learn the difference between half and step-siblings. Using this guide, you should be able to determine any types of familial relationships for non-traditional siblings.
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