It's time to stop using "stepchild" as a pejorative term in science.

Abstract

Despite their ubiquity, stepfamilies generally hold a stigmatized status. The scientific community at large has not been immune to the influence of stepfamily stigmatization. Misusing the term "stepchild" in science is unnecessary on several fronts. "Stepchild" is often intended to denote neglect, oversight, or mistreatment. Scholars should consider using more direct and precise language, especially considering that scientific writing benefits from clarity, parsimony, and precision. In any case, it's time to stop using "stepchild" as a pejorative term. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).