HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Jennifer Aniston is firing back at Bill O'Reilly after the Fox News host criticized her recent comments about single motherhood.

"Of course, the ideal scenario for parenting is obviously two parents of a mature age. Parenting is one of the hardest jobs on earth," the 41-year-old actress tells People. "And, of course, many women dream of finding Prince Charming (with fatherly instincts), but for those who've not yet found their Bill O'Reilly, I'm just glad science has provided a few other options."

Aniston was discussing her upcoming comedy The Switch when she told reporters that "times have changed" when it comes to thinking about the traditional family. The former Friends star plays a single woman seeking a sperm donor in the new film, which opens in theaters next weekend.

"Women are realizing more and more that you don't have to settle. They don't have to fiddle with a man to have that child," she said. "They are realizing if it's that time in their life and they want this part they can do it with or without that."

The talk-show host was hardly impressed by the star's take on starting a family.

"She's throwing a message out to 12-year-olds and 13-year-olds that 'Hey, you don't need a guy. You don't need a dad.' That is destructive to our society," he said on Tuesday's O'Reilly Factor.

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