This paper analyzes the Anne C. Bernstein's article "Women in Stepfamilies: The
Fairy Godmother, the
Wicked Witch, and Cinderella Reconstructed" which parallels
abusive domestic relationships in step
families with the story of Cinderella and her wicked
stepmother. It discusses what happens to a modern-day abused Cinderella in the real world without fairy godmothers. It looks at how the Cinderella myth has survived for historical and sociological reasons that are still existent in our culture and how women are responsible for the primary care giving in most families and feel a sexual and emotional rivalry with other women for male affection. The Cinderella story reinforces the idea of stepmothers and stepsisters as wicked and avenging, rather than potential allies, in the struggle to develop a new family. Ultimately, all the participants in a new family must discuss the issues raised by the fairy tale.