Untangling perceptions of atypical parents

Abstract

This study examines how the public perceives of five types of "atypical" parents in the United Statessingle mothers, single fathers, lesbian couples, gay couples, and adoptive parents-including, critically, the factors that contribute to these perceptions. Background: Although a handful of studies have considered attitudes toward atypical parents, virtually no studies have considered why people hold the attitudes they do. In addition, few studies have compared multiple types of parents simultaneously, to understand the direction and magnitude of people's perceptions of alternative families. Method: The authors designed and conducted a national phone survey (N = 827). Respondents were randomly assigned to an experimental condition corresponding to one of these five types of parents. Then, respondents were asked how well the parent(s) can: bring up a child (i.e., an overall perception item), provide for children's basic needs, have a warm relationship, and teach important values, compared to their normative counterparts. Results: Respondents are by far the most receptive toward adoptive parents across all four of these items. Perceptions of single parents are most strongly shaped by beliefs about economic resources. Perceptions of same-sex parents are most strongly shaped by beliefs about morality. We also find key gendered perceptions within these parent groups. For example, emotional considerations shape perceptions of gay couples, but not lesbian couples. Conclusion: Adoptive parents are broadly accepted in the United States, but much resistance toward single parents (on mostly economic grounds) and same-sex parents (on mostly moral grounds) remains.

One parent, two parents, one sex, two sexes: Public attitudes toward single and same‐sex parents

“…Although the 2012 GSS data enable us to better understand the factors behind public views regarding single parents and especially same‐sex parents, we recognize that these data are limited to single items, one year (for views about same‐sex parents), and one country. The reliance on only one question does not enable us to directly determine which aspect or aspects of single parenting or same‐sex parenting the public finds as satisfactory or unsatisfactory (but see Quadlin et al, 2022). The GSS questions also do not allow us to assess public views regarding the possibility that same‐sex parents may be more successful in raising their children than their counterparts—a possibility suggested by recent scholarship on the potential educational and other advantages of having same‐sex parents, especially two mothers (Kabatek & Perales, 2021; Mazrekaj et al, 2020; Prickett et al, 2015).…”

“…Despite the centrality of this claim in the same‐sex marriage debate, surprisingly little research compares public views regarding same‐sex and mother–father households. Overall, public discourse makes claims about negative effects of single and same‐sex parenting, yet few scholars have assessed Americans' attitudes about the ability of these parents to raise children (but see Quadlin et al, 2022).…”

“…Research has extensively documented public attitudes toward gay marriage over the past two decades, but only a handful of studies consider public views regarding same-sex parents. These studies often focus on public opinion regarding gay adoption rights or the societal impact of same-sex parenting (Herek, 2002;Kirby & Michaelson, 2015;Schwartz, 2010) but rarely consider public opinion regarding how well children fare in same-sex parent families and whether same-sex couples can parent as well as different-sex couples (Becker, 2012a(Becker, , 2012bBecker & Todd, 2013;Quadlin et al, 2022). The most notable exception is Whitehead's (2018) examination of the influence of religiosity on assessments of the same-sex couples' ability to raise children.…”

Structurally informed psychodynamic theory case conceptualization: Expanding the conceptualization map.

“…parents (Quadlin et al, 2022). Further, Siegel (2024, p. 81) stated that "antagonism toward trans women legitimizes other social hierarchies that also punish perceived departure from 'the norm.'"…”

Counseling services leading to desistance by way of a change in certainty perceptions and cognitive agency beliefs.

“…Thus, a series of perceptions can lead to the development of an integrated belief system. There is evidence of reciprocity between perception and belief, particularly over short periods of time when a person’s beliefs are known to color and shape their perceptions (Quadlin et al, 2022). Like the social context rule in which social context precedes perception/belief/outcome, the general flow of the developmental process over longer periods of time typically runs from perception to belief.…”