The Cinderella Effect is a term in evolutionary psychology that describes how stepchildren are more likely to be treated worse — neglected, abused, or given less care — compared to biological children.
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It’s named after Cinderella, who was mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters while her real parents were gone.
⚗️ The Science Behind It
Evolutionary psychologists ( like Martin Daly and Margo Wilson, who studied this deeply in the 1980s ) say it comes from natural selection logic —
parents are biologically wired to protect and invest in their own genetic offspring, not unrelated children.
So, in some cases, a step - parent doesn’t feel the same deep instinct to nurture or protect, especially under stress or conflict.
That difference in emotional bond can sometimes lead to neglect or even aggression.
📊 What Research Found
Studies showed that rates of child abuse were higher in families with one step - parent compared to families with both biological parents.
But! Not all stepfamilies fit this — many step - parents love their stepkids deeply and raise them beautifully. ❤️
The effect is a statistical pattern, not a prophecy.
It shows a risk trend, not a destiny.
