The term "deadbeat dad" describes a man who isn't married to his children's mother and isn't helping to support his children financially. Why do we almost never talk about "deadbeat moms"?
A) Men are punished far more harshly than women for violating gender norms.
B) The legal system is biased in favor of men when it comes to divorce and custody cases.
C) Mothers usually remain the primary caregiver even when fathers don't take the instrumental role.
D) Women are not judged as harshly as men for abandoning their children.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reason we almost never talk about "deadbeat moms" is because mothers usually remain the primary caregiver even when fathers don't take the instrumental role. This means that even when a mother isn't contributing financially, she may still be providing the bulk of the caregiving and therefore not seen as a deadbeat in the same way that a father would be seen if he wasn't providing financial support. Additionally, societal expectations and gender norms dictate that women are supposed to be caregivers and nurturers, so women who don't fulfill this role may not be judged as harshly as men who don't fulfill the traditional masculine role of provider.

The Term "Deadbeat Dad" Describes a Man Who Isn't Married