Untangling perceptions of atypical parents

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