Human Development & Family Science Masters Theses

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Perceptions of Negative Attributes of Never-Married Custodial Mothers and Fathers: A Comparison Study
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Haire, Amanda Rae
The present study examined the differences in the perceptions of the negative attributes of never-married custodial single mothers and fathers. The existing literature indicated that never-married single mothers and fathers were perceived differently; however, no previous study has examined perceptions of negative qualities that society assigns to never-married custodial single mothers and fathers. Thus, this study examined participants' 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. The results of the thematic analysis suggested that participants' perceptions of never-married single mothers and fathers' negative attributes varied primarily by gender of the single parent. Moreover, the results of the thematic analysis also suggested that participants' perceptions of the negative attributes of single mothers are primarily personal in nature while the perceptions of single fathers are situational. The results further suggest that participants' perceptions focused on the composition of a healthy family as well as reflected negative beliefs about single mothers' sexuality and not single fathers'. Suggestions for future research and clinical implications are also offered.