Intersecting identities: How race and age influence perceptions of mothers

Abstract

Objective Prior research has suggested adolescent mothers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are perceived (or stereotyped) negatively compared to adult mothers and Anglo‐Australians respectively. The present study examined contemporary attitudes and stereotypes of Australian mothers with intersecting identities of age and race. We were particularly interested in the impact of race on the stereotypes of adolescent versus adult mothers. Method Participants (n = 323) completed an online survey comprising free response questions and validated scales assessing their stereotypes, cognitive evaluations, feelings, and overall favourability towards one of the four target mothers: Anglo‐Australian adult, Anglo‐Australian adolescent, Indigenous‐Australian adult, and Indigenous‐Australian adolescent. We predicted attitudes towards adult mothers would be more positive compared to adolescent mothers, and Anglo‐Australian mothers more positive compared to Indigenous‐Australian mothers. Further, we predicted stereotypes would reflect historical inequalities and changing societal values related to childrearing. Results Anglo‐Australian adult mothers were perceived most positively, while adolescent mothers were perceived least positively, irrespective of race. Stereotypes of Indigenous‐Australian adult mothers shared commonalities with Anglo‐Australian adult mothers, but also reflected the disadvantaged position of Indigenous people in Australia, by positioning them as financially dependent. Stereotypes of adolescent mothers were consistently negative, with conservative views of sexuality positioning then as lacking agency and control, while also blaming them for their disadvantaged situation. Conclusions The negative community stereotypes of adolescent mothers are consistent with adolescent mothers' perceptions.

Being a mother with anorexia: A phenomenological study of seeking and receiving professional support for white heterosexual women in the UK

“…It is possible that age and motherhood intersect in various ways in relation to anorexia that are beyond the scope of this study to explore. Age and motherhood certainly intersect, with younger mothers in particular viewed with suspicion (Sheeran et al, 2019). The women were all white, heterosexual mothers, and the analysis should be read with this in mind.…”

“…Age and motherhood certainly intersect, with younger mothers in particular viewed with suspicion (Sheeran et al, 2019). The women were all white, heterosexual mothers, and the analysis should be read with this in mind.…”

Attitudes Toward Heterosexual and Lesbian Stepmothers: An Experimental Test in the Italian Context

“…A second novelty of this research was the exploration of perceptions towards lesbian stepmothers. Little research has looked at the intersection of mothers' group memberships (Sheeran et al, 2019), with most attitudinal research focussed on single identities. However, perceptions concerning intersecting identities are important to explore, because many negative attitudes and stereotypes are indeed elicited by intersecting identities, such as those in combination with gender and age (Sheeran et al, 2019).…”

“…Little research has looked at the intersection of mothers’ group memberships (Sheeran et al, 2019), with most attitudinal research focussed on single identities. However, perceptions concerning intersecting identities are important to explore, because many negative attitudes and stereotypes are indeed elicited by intersecting identities, such as those in combination with gender and age (Sheeran et al, 2019). We predicted that lesbian stepmothers would be the most discriminated group in our research and that they would face multiple types of stigma due to their sexual orientation (i.e., to be non-heterosexual), to their family structure (i.e., to be in a stepfamily), and for being same-sex parents (Berger, 2000; Lynch, 2004).…”

“…Stereotypical parenting traits of the target mother were assessed with semantic differentials. Ten bipolar adjective items were presented at opposite poles of a 5-point scale (adapted by Sheeran et al, 2019): Uninvolved/Involved, Neglectful/Nurturing, Cold/Warm, Hostile/Loving, Irresponsible/Responsible, Foolish/Sensible, Immature/Mature, Unsuitable/ Suitable, Moral/Immoral, and Respectful/Rude. High scores indicated perceptions of more positive parenting traits attributed to the mother.…”