Attitudes Toward Never-Married Single Mothers and Fathers: Does Gender Matter?

This study explored differences in attitudes toward never-married custodial single mothers and fathers. The sample for this study was comprised of 1,351 participants, with an average age of 27.2 years (SD = 11.68). Participants were randomly assigned to a female or male vignette stimulus and were asked to complete a series of questionnaires. The results suggest that never-married custodial single mothers were viewed less positively than never-married custodial single fathers in terms of personal characteristics and parenting abilities. This study highlights the importance of considering the gender of the single parent when researching and providing therapy to this population.