Negative Perceptions of Never-Married Custodial Single Mothers and Fathers: Applications of a Gender Analysis for Family Therapists

Abstract

In this study the authors examined perceptions of the negative attributes of never-married, custodial, single mothers and fathers and applied a feminist framework to determine what gender-based differences existed in these perceptions. Data were collected from 769 participants who were randomly assigned to answer questions about single mothers or fathers. The results of the thematic analysis suggested that participants' perceptions of single mothers and fathers varied primarily by the gender of the single parent. The results also suggested that the negative attributes assigned to single mothers were primarily personal in nature while the negative perceptions of single fathers appeared to be more situational.KEYWORDS negative perceptions of single parents, gender, feminist thematic analysis, never-married custodial single mothers and fathers, binary essentialist framework of gender, perceived negative attributes of single mothers and fathers, idealized family structure, mother-blaming

Community Perception of Single Parenting in Zaria, Northern Nigeria

“…Similar findings are reported across the globe [11]. In this study, some other factors such as desires of female parents for economic independence, career and lack of patience in marriage are also believed to have attributed to the increasing rates of single-parenthood (as shown in Table 2).…”

“…This finding is similar to what Allers [6] described as "a single-mother hierarchy" in her article on single parenting. Hence, some authors have also reported that loss of spouse gets public sympathy [11] and some single parents find themselves in it unplanned for, such as in broken relationship [4]. This opinions makes support a social decision.…”

“…Even among the single mothers, society secretly categorises them in gradient of respectability, praising some and demonising others usually across racial and socio-economic lines [6], depending on income, race and most important how one becomes a single mother. Even the widowed, divorced or once-married gradient rating is often "validated" by a patriarchal structure [11], favouring the single-fathers.…”

Positive Attributes of Never-Married Single Mothers and Fathers: Why Gender Matters and Applications for Family Therapists

“…These findings are consistent with existing research that has explored societal perceptions toward married and nevermarried parents and consistently found that single parents are viewed more negatively than any other group of parents (Bryan, Coleman, Ganong, & Bryan, 1986;Ganong, Coleman, & Riley, 1988;Rhodes & Johnson, 2000;Usdansky, 2009b). While negative societal perceptions of single parents as a group have been well-documented, the research also suggests that these perceptions vary by the gender of the single parent (Bennett & Jamieson, 1999;Bryan et al, 1986;Haire & McGeorge, 2012;Hilton & Devall, 1998). In particular, researchers argue that single mothers are viewed more negatively than single fathers (DeJean et al, 2012;Ganong et al, 1988;Hilton, Desrochers, & Devall, 2001;Jarrett, 1996).…”

“…Additionally, if therapists were better aware of the perceived societal strengths of single parents this might make visible the competent and impressive parenting that many single parents provide. Finally, researchers have documented that negative societal beliefs about single parents appear to vary by gender (Bennett & Jamieson, 1999;DeJean et al, 2012;Haire & McGeorge, 2012). Thus, we postulated that the positive perceptions about single mothers and fathers may differ as well.…”