Step Children
QUESTION: Are there any famous step children?ANSWER:Yes, there are numerous step children, as well as “adoptees,” who have become famous. Some of these include President Gerald Ford, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, actresses Melissa Gilbert, Nancy Davis Reagan, and Priscilla Presley. In addition, names such as John Lennon, Hitler, Michael Reagan
1 and perhaps the most famous -- Jesus, can be added. The list goes on to include people from all professions and areas of notoriety.
Many step children can be included in both lists as they were officially adopted by their step parent. What do statistics say comparing “adoptees” and step children with their success in life or problems incurred by their labels?
In Michael Reagan’s book
Twice Adopted, he quotes Dr. David M. Brodzinsky
2 on this subject. Brodzinsky says adoptees have “higher rates of learning disorders, attention deficit disorders, delinquent behavior and drug abuse than the general population.” Furthermore, Reagan adds in his book that these children (himself included) are continually in search of love and affirmation. He believes there is a “gnawing hole” within souls that lead many to attempt to fill it with such things as alcohol, drugs, sex, pornography, possessions, or power, to name a few.
Michael Reagan believes that hole exists in every human, placed in the soul by God. He goes on to say that “sadly, most of us spend our lives trying to fill it with something other than God.” His sense is that children, especially adopted [or step children] who are continually looking to fill the void of a parent, are indeed no different than people in general looking to fill that hole that can only be filled by our “Creator Parent,” God. His book title is derived from the fact that after years of feeling rejected and without identity (as one given away) he discovered that God the Father truly loves him and would never leave him.
Adoption is even mentioned in the Bible! We are told that God adopts us into His family (Ephesians 1:5-6; Romans 8:14-17). This opportunity is for everyone, regardless of your family, gender, age, nationality or past (Romans 10:9-13) – whoever will receive it.
No matter the circumstances of our natural, adopted, or step family situations, we are born with the opportunity to be a tremendously loved member of the most royal family ever.
