The GHS asks respondents aged 16 to 59 whether they have any stepchildren living with them. In 2000, the majority of stepfamilies in which there was at least one dependent child from a previous marriage or relationship consisted of a couple with at least one child from the female partner’s previous relationship. Three types of stepfamilies were categorised:

• 88% of stepfamilies consisted of a couple with at least one child from the female partner’s previous relationship

• 9% of stepfamilies consisted of a couple with at least one child from the male partner’s previous relationship

• Stepfamilies containing at least one dependent child from a previous marriage or relationship of each partner were a much smaller group within all stepfamily types, with 3% being of this type.