What Is Parents Without Partners?

Mission Statement

Parents Without Partners provides single parents and their children with an opportunity for enhancing personal growth, self-confidence and sensitivity towards others by offering an environment for support, friendship and the exchange of parenting techniques.

History of the Organization

Parents Without Partners was founded in 1957 in New York City by two single parents: Jim Egleson, a noncustodial parent, and Jacqueline Bernard, a custodial parent. As concerned parents, they felt isolated from society because of their marital status, and decided to form a mutual support organization. Following their first newspaper advertisements directed to "Parents Without Partners", 25 single parents attended the first meeting in a Greenwich Village church basement. Later, media attention brought inquiries from all over the country. Parents Without Partners, Inc. is now the largest international, nonprofit membership organization devoted to the welfare and interests of single parents and their children. Single parents may join one of approximately 400 chapters; they may be male or female, custodial or noncustodial, separated, divorced, widowed or never-married.

Brief Facts About Parents Without Partners, Inc.

50,000+ members in the United States and Canada.
55% female, 45% male.
Ages range from 18 to 80;most have teenage children. Average length of membership is four years.
Approximately 85% of the membership is separated or divorced.

Never-married members are under-represented in PWP compared to national statistics. Widowed parent membership is comparable to national statistics. PWP members are typical middle-class North Americans. They come from all walks of life, representing a kaleidoscope of occupations, interests and educational attainment. Some PWP members have only recently become single parents, while others have been single for some time. Some have young children, others have grown children. Some are sophisticated, others have led sheltered lives. All are in a process of transition and change, and seek help from PWP. PWP members are of all faiths and political beliefs. All chapter members are verified as being single parents by members or professionals in the community.