Parents Without Partners was founded in 1957 in New York City by two single parents: Jim Egleson, a non-custodial 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 organisation.

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. Now there are 50,000+ members in the United States and Canada.

In Australia

PWP was founded, with official approval and license of the Parent Body, at a public meeting held in Melbourne on 21st October 1967.

After PWP spread to NSW and Queensland a National Council was formed in 1971. The organisation now has member Associations in all States and Territories.

The National Council, elected at the Annual National Conference, is the governing body of the organisation and exercises the overall administration of the affairs and properties of the organisation. In Western Australia there are five metropolitan and two country branches.

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