Perceptions of Negative Attributes of Never-Married Custodial Mothers and Fathers: A Comparison Study
Abstract
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.