Out of Line: Who Defines? Halfs, Steps, In-Laws & Belonging Anthology

Families! We all have them. But which is the "real' one if there are—and there always are—several definitions of family to choose from? Obviously, it's the one that assures us of our full inclusion. But it's not that straightforward. We choose a partner, become core to an origin story, and, at the same time immediately became in-laws, fringe players in someone else's story. This is even more true with half and step attributions, for both parents and children. What is the impact of being defined as "half" or "step" to your own sense of loyalty, responsibility, affection, belonging? To your understanding of family? What is the effect of defining someone else that way in terms of their sense of sense of centrality, stability? Are these attributions useful, accurate, or even relevant when 50% of American families are remarried or recoupled? Is there any way to avoid them? We invite stories, creative non-fiction, memoir and poetry that explore the intricacies of the in-law, half, and step-conditions from every position—parents, children, grandchildren, grandparents, uncles, aunts—and what it means for those many of us who oscillate between these conditions, often in more than one family constellation.

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States

Established in 2024