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The content of mother stereotypes

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Abstract

Although there is considerable empirical support for the existence of social stereotypes about different types of mothers, the content of those stereotypes is less clear. The purpose of this study was to identify the content of stereotypes related to different “types” of mothers. Stereotyped attributes of married mothers, stepmothers, divorced mothers, and never married mothers were generated by several samples and combined into one list. A subsequent sample was asked to indicate the percentage of each type of mother possessing each characteristic. The content of mother stereotypes was examined, and the results discussed in light of effects on social interactions, the self-image of women, and future attempts to assess family-related stereotypes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing and Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Missouri, 65211, Columbia, MO, USA

    Lawrence H. Ganong & Marilyn Coleman

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  1. Lawrence H. Ganong
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  2. Marilyn Coleman
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Ganong, L.H., Coleman, M. The content of mother stereotypes. Sex Roles 32, 495–512 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01544185

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