In Defense of Single-Parent Families

by Nancy E Dowd

Overview

An expert in family law and policy presents a thought-provoking examination of the stereotypes, realities, and possibilities of single-parent families.

Single-parent families succeed. Within these families children thrive, develop, and grow, just as they do in a variety of family structures. Tragically, they must do so in the face of powerful legal and social stigma that works to undermine them. As Nancy E. Dowd argues here, this stigma is founded largely on myths which result in harshly punitive social policies. 

Dowd details the primary justifications for stigmatizing single-parent families, marshalling an impressive array of resources that portray a very different picture of them. She describes them in all their forms, with particular attention to the differential treatment given to never-married and divorced single parents, and to the impact of gender, race, and class. Illustrating the harmful impact of current laws concerning divorce, welfare, and employment, Dowd makes a powerful case for centering policy around the welfare and equality of all children.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814744246
Publisher:	New York University Press
Publication date:	11/21/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Nancy E. Dowd is Emeritus Distinguished Professor and David Levin Chair in Family Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. She is the editor of the Families, Law and Society series at NYU Press, and author or editor of numerous books, including Reimagining Equality: A New Deal for Children of Color.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A strong argument in favor of public support for needy families bringing up young children, particularly those where single parents are the sole caretakers. . . . A thoughtful analysis of a serious problem in this country; recommended for professionals, academics, and the public."

-Library Journal,

"Dowd does a good job of explaining how discrimination in the workplace and the devaluation of those who provide child care works against the single parent. . . . Should provoke lively classroom discussion."

-Choice,

"If there is a less-popular cause in this country than single-parent families, it doesn't come readily to mind. But Dowd presents a very different view of single-parent families as pioneers in the development of nonpatriarchal family structures, arguing that the perceived inferiority of single-parent families has more to do with bias and poverty than the lack of a male figure, and that we need legal change to increase employment, income and community support."

-National Law Journal

Editorial Reviews

Dowd (law, Univ. of Florida) has written a strong argument in favor of public support for needy families bringing up young children, particularly those where single parents are sole caretakers. She explains how society stigmatizes single parents, especially those who are female and black, as immoral, shiftless, and unworthy of help. Not only denigrated, female single parents are also victims of gender hierarchy in the application of divorce, employment, and welfare laws. Dowd argues that the quality of family functioning is related more to the level of economic and social support present than to the number of parents. She feels strongly that society should support in meaningful ways the nurture of children and their caregivers regardless of family structure. A thoughtful analysis of a serious problem in this country; recommended for professionals, academics, and the public.-Suzanne W. Wood, SUNY Coll. of Technology, Alfred

Library Journal

Dowd (law, U. of Florida) argues that the justifications for stigmatizing single-parent families are founded on myths used to rationalize harshly punitive social policies that hit children hardest. She says that many two-parent families in fact function as single-caregiving environments anyway, that the two kind of families have some unique and some common problems, that the failure or success of a family has little to do with its form, and that single-parent children often grow up with more admirable traits than their more conventional contemporaries. She looks hard at how the laws and other policies lay extra burdens on families, and recommends reforms. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

If there is a less-popular cause in this country than single-parent families, it doesn't come readily to mind. But Dowd presents a very different view of single-parent families as pioneers in the development of nonpatriarchal family structures, arguing that the perceived inferiority of single-parent families has more to do with bias and poverty than the lack of a male figure, and that we need legal change to increase employment, income and community support.

National Law Journal

Dowd does a good job of explaining how discrimination in the workplace and the devaluation of those who provide child care works against the single parent. . . . Should provoke lively classroom discussion.

Choice

"If there is a less-popular cause in this country than single-parent families, it doesn't come readily to mind. But Dowd presents a very different view of single-parent families as pioneers in the development of nonpatriarchal family structures, arguing that the perceived inferiority of single-parent families has more to do with bias and poverty than the lack of a male figure, and that we need legal change to increase employment, income and community support."

-National Law Journal

"A strong argument in favor of public support for needy families bringing up young children, particularly those where single parents are the sole caretakers. . . . A thoughtful analysis of a serious problem in this country; recommended for professionals, academics, and the public."

-Library Journal

"Dowd does a good job of explaining how discrimination in the workplace and the devaluation of those who provide child care works against the single parent. . . . Should provoke lively classroom discussion."

-Choice

From the Publisher