Lone parent stereotypes do not fit reality
Tom Lloyd
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Single parents suffer from negative stereotyping that does not reflect reality, research has suggested.
The charity One Parent Families/Gingerbread commissioned research group Populus to conduct a study of attitudes to single parents.
An online survey of 1,050 adults found they believe 31 per cent of lone parents are teenagers, whereas the actual figure is 2 per cent.
The respondents also thought 39 per cent of single parents would have been married, while in reality the figure is 55 per cent. And they thought 41 per cent would be in work, but the actual figure is 57 per cent.
Fiona Weir, chief executive of the charity, said: "Lone parents are at the heart of heated debate about the family, parenting, and reform of the welfare state.
"The starting point must be to have a more realistic understanding of single parent's lives."
An online survey of 1,050 adults found they believe 31 per cent of lone parents are teenagers, whereas the actual figure is 2 per cent.
The respondents also thought 39 per cent of single parents would have been married, while in reality the figure is 55 per cent. And they thought 41 per cent would be in work, but the actual figure is 57 per cent.
Fiona Weir, chief executive of the charity, said: "Lone parents are at the heart of heated debate about the family, parenting, and reform of the welfare state.
"The starting point must be to have a more realistic understanding of single parent's lives."
