What characterizes a blended family?

A blended family is characterized by the inclusion of at least one dependent child from a previous relationship, typically involving one or both parents who have remarried. This setting includes children who may have biological ties to one parent and not the other, thus creating a family unit that combines existing children from prior marriages or relationships with new partners and their children.

This dynamic often brings together varying family structures and relationships, which may not necessarily include shared biological ties among all members. In contrast to other options, a blended family does not solely consist of siblings from different marriages or require all members to be legally adopted. Additionally, it typically does not involve children living with both biological parents under one roof, as that scenario usually describes a more traditional family setup rather than a blended one.