Studies of daily newspapers

In some studies we examine representations of lone mothers and lone fathers in daily newspapers, and compare the two. The potential cooperation between two separated/divorced parents is also explored, as well as the specific group of lone mothers that become "solo parents" via assisted reproduction.

We can see that when lone mothers or fathers are the focus in news reporting, they are generally portrayed in a positive light, as everyday-heroes whose first priority are their children. In reports featuring lone mothers who have become parents via assisted reproduction, they are portrayed as respectable middle-class women who practice "intensive mothering" and make correct and well-informed choices. They are also almost the only lone mothers who are described as being surrounded by a social netowork of family and friends.

In the daily press, the picture of coparenting is strongly gendered and differs greatly depending on whether its is the mother's or the father's perspective that's in focus.

Read about the studies of film, TV and literature