Stepfather vs. Stepmother

I'm a stepmum, so I'm probably hyper aware of comments about step-parents in general, but I have noticed a significant difference in the way stepmothers are talked about as opposed to stepfathers. By and large, stepfathers are lauded and congratulated for stepping up and taking care of another man's children. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but generally speaking, stepfathers have a pretty positive reputation. Stepmothers, on the other hand, seem to me to suffer under the stigma of being wicked, interfering, home-wreckers and/or baby stealers. Again, there are exceptions, but on the whole, stepmothers have a bad reputation.

My question is, why do you think that is? Have you noticed this or is it just me?

I asked my husband and he said it is because fathers are disposable and/or replaceable, but mothers are sacrosanct. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I understand where he is coming from based on his own experiences.

Anyway, this has been rolling around in my head for a while and I wanted to see what the rest of you thought.