Abstract: In one aspect, a stabilized emulsion polymer comprises an aliphatic conjugated diene monomer; a monomer selected from the group consisting of a non-aromatic unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic ester monomer, an unsaturated aromatic monomer, a nitrogen-containing monomer, and mixtures thereof; a protective colloid; and a surfactant which has ethylenic unsaturation. As a result, the surfactant is polymerized with the monomer and is incorporated into the backbone of the emulsion polymer. In another aspect, the stabilized emulsion polymer includes an oxyalkylene functional monomer selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## monoesters of mono- and dicarboxylic acids, diesters of dicarboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof; wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; R' is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; R" is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; and n is an integer ranging from 1 to 30.