Classification of relationship structure

1 - Simple stepfamily

This category includes couple families with children in which all children are biological or adopted children of one and only one married spouse or common-law partner whose birth or adoption preceded the current relationship.

2 - Complex stepfamily

This category includes couple families with children which contain at least one biological or adopted child whose birth or adoption preceded the current relationship. These families contain children from:

• each married spouse or common-law partner and no other children; or
• one married spouse or common-law partner and at least one other biological or adopted child of the couple; or
• each married spouse or common-law partner and at least one other biological or adopted child of the couple.