what is cinderella effect ?

The data show that biological children receives more parental investment compare to stepchildren.

Meaning

Revolutionary psychological science term “Cinderella effect” basically means that stepchildren are at higher risk of abuse and maltreatment by the hands of step-parents. 

Name

It got the name “Cinderella effect” from the movie "Cinderella" where Cinderella was mistreated by her stepmother and sisters. 

Background

This theory first came up in the 1970s by some psychologists. They opined that stepparents have no biological reasons to invest in parental resources in stepchildren. Hence, this step-child is more prone to violence and all kinds of abuse from physical to mental. 

Evidence

There is some evidence that supports the authenticity of this theory. For over 30 years of studying the various resources like child abuse, clinical death, victim reports, etc. The long study concluded that in Europe and part of America, risk of child maltreatment and abuse by step-parents is at high risk.

Why Cinderella effect?

Psychologists believe that parents are more likely to use their parenting resources on their own offspring, rather than on the child of others. They seem and act indifferently toward their nonbiological children as compared to their own. 

In modern times, it tends to happen more in society, due to the cost of living. Parents obviously want to look after the real children rather than the children of others. 

Attachment theory

Attachment theory simply means that the mother genetically shares a special bond with her child. But a mother never can share such emotions and feelings with a child that’s not her own. Hence it’s likely that stepchildren never get that love and affection they desired. 

Criticism

Some psychologist believes that there is not much hard evidence that proves the efficacy of the theory. There is some cross-cultural variation in the theory too.