Analysis of the Phenomenon and Causes of Stepmother Culture

Abstract

Stepmother culture is a classic theme culture in the narrative of Eastern and Western ethnic groups. As a female image that differs from biological mothers, "stepmother" is often portrayed as a negative and malicious image in cultural narratives of different countries and regions. However, the "stepmother culture" in China or European and American countries did not initially portray stepmother as a domineering, malicious, or incompetent mother, but rather continuously adjusted the image of stepmother according to the cultural concepts, politics, or social needs of the country. For example, in the Han Dynasty of China, the concept of human relations and filial piety culture were advocated, and stepmother played an important role in maintaining the relationship between father and son in social production, life, and marriage structure, thus creating the stepmother culture The image of a stepmother is more positive, just like the image of an angel suffering and suffering. Starting from the perspectives of Eastern and Western stepmother cultural concepts and phenomena, this paper explores the reasons for the formation and development of different stepmother cultures, sorts out the evolution and development of stepmother cultures in the context of the present era, and demonstrates the unity and diversity of stepmother cultures in different countries.