Poll Finds Single Motherhood in America Still Unacceptable

Okay, I'm mad now. It's 2011, for God's sake, and a recent poll conducted by the Pew Center finds that single motherhood continues to get the thumbs down by most Americans.


According to an article in the Washington Post by Carol Morello, posted on February 16, 2011, most Americans still view single mothers as detrimental to our society. The word, "detrimental" is pretty extreme, isn't it?

One in five households in the United States are now managed by single parents. Of the 2,700 surveyed, opinions were uncovered on seven trends in modern relationships that are dramatically changing the format of the traditional family. These trends covered unmarried parents raising children; gay couples raising children; single mothers; unmarried partners living together; working mothers; interracial marriage; and women who have never had children. There was nothing mentioned in the study on a survey of single fathers raising children.

Those who participated in the survey who were positive about the changes in our society, were mostly women and Hispanic, living in the Eastern U.S. People who were unhappy and against these changes were older, white Republicans, who were married and claiming to be religiously observant, residing in the Midwest or Southern U.S.

"There is still a strong belief that children need two parents", said Andrew Cherlin, a Johns Hopkins University sociologist, who studies families. Cherlin states that these convictions are based not only on moral concerns, but practical and economical reasons. A recent report on the network evening news, shows that women continue to forge ahead in the workplace, with more receiving college degrees, but still are only earning 75% of what men earn in similar positions.

What do you think? Are people anti-single mother or just pro-parent? Join in the conversation and add your comments here!

Cheers to all single parents.  You are champions!