The Difficulties of In-law Relationships

Although popular culture presents stereotypes of negative in-law relationships, complete with demanding or intrusive mothers-in-law, domineering or indifferent fathers-in-law, ungrateful or irresponsible children-in-law, and boorish or gossipy siblings-in-law, empirical research demonstrates that in-law relationships, like other close relationships, can range from satisfying and beneficial to disappointing and detrimental. This chapter, however, will focus on difficulties and will present evidence that characteristics of the structure and formation of in-law relationships result in difficulties. Although relationships with siblings-in-law (Floyd & Morr, 2003) and more extended in-law relationships (Duvall, 1954) can be difficult and have received research attention, this chapter focuses on the relationship between parentsand children-in-law from the point of view of the child-in-law. Not only have relationships with parents-in-law received the most research attention, but relationships with parents-in-law (and especially mothers-in-law) are most frequently perceived as the most difficult of inlaw relationships (Duvall, 1954).