Single Parents

Single parents are those who raise children without the help of the other biological parent in the home. Single-parent families
are determined by the sex of the "primary carer," responsible for the children the majority of the time, and they can be either
mother-only or father-only families. There are various reasons for their formation, such as a divorce, separation, widowhood or
because the parents were never married. If single parenthood is a result of a separation or divorce, the non-custodian parent is
still entitled to spend time with the children and shares some part of the responsibility.

Until the mid-20th century, the main reason for a single-parent family was the death of a spouse, especially in the years of the
two World Wars. Single parenthood was not seen in western society as an acceptable "lifestyle choice." Unmarried women who
became pregnant would often be sent away from the family home in the latter stages of the pregnancy, and soon after birth the
child might be given up, into the care of a religious order or the local workhouse, possibly for adoption but more often to an
uncertain future.

In the second half of the 20th century, as divorce became more socially accepted, the number of single-parent families
increased. By the beginning of the 21st century, there was less of a social stigma attached to women who might choose to have
children and bring them up, without being married to or even living with the child's father.

Single parenthood can be a result of unforeseen circumstances such as death, child neglect or abuse, abandonment by one of
the biological parents, or unplanned pregnancy. The number of single-parent families reached its highest level in the 1980s and
then slightly declined in the next decade. Divorce rate in developed countries is higher than in developing countries; divorced or
separated mothers normally form the majority of single-parent families, followed by never-married women. Many children end
up living in a single-parent home after parents separate, but in case of remarriage, this is only a temporary situation after they
move into a two-parent family, with one biological parent and one step-parent.

The increase in the number of single mothers is a consequence of unplanned, accidental pregnancy or of the decision not to
marry. This number includes teenage mothers reluctant to marry and older women who delayed marriage because of career
opportunities. Non-marital childbearing is more common because of more employment opportunities for women and the
availability of welfare benefits that allow them to set up their own households.

Nevertheless, the number of father-only families increased significantly in the 1980s when social attitudes changed about the
role of the father in parenting. Traditionally, single-father families resulted from widowhood, desertion by the mother, or wives
refusing custody. The increase is also influenced by the efforts of fathers to get custody of their children. In divorce cases,
courts often issue legal rulings over which parent should have the children live with them. Mothers have most often been given
custody of their children, with fathers being given visiting rights. Fathers are more likely to obtain custody of the children when
they pay child support regularly and if the children are older and choose to live with the father. In most cases, the non-custodial
parent continues taking part in the rearing of the child.

Single-parent families face greater challenges and are at higher risk of poverty than married couples. Dependency on a single
income and the problems involved in arranging for regular childcare are the most obvious handicaps facing a single parent. The
education level, the age and occupation of the single parent also greatly affects the development of the child. According to
social scientists children of single parents are more likely to grow uncontrollable and delinquent due to the economic difficulties
and parental style. These children are disadvantaged and are twice as likely to drop out of school, or to themselves become
parents in their teens. Those risks result from less parental supervision and control, allowing children to abuse drugs and
alcohol and to be more sexually active, to join a gang or participate in crimes. Children raised by only one parent are more
likely to commit suicide and to divorce or stay unmarried in the future.

https://www.questia.com/library/psychology/relationships-and-the-family/family/single-parent
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Single parenting and today's family

Over the past 20 years single-parent families have become even more

common than the so-called "nuclear family" consisting of a mother, father

and children. Today we see all sorts of single parent families: headed by

mothers, headed by fathers, headed by a grandparent raising their

grandchildren.

Life in a single parent household though common can be quite

stressful for the adult and the children. Members may unrealistically expect

that the family can function like a two-parent family, and may feel that

something is wrong when it can not. The single parent may feel

overwhelmed by the responsibility of juggling caring for the children,

maintaining a job and keeping up with the bills and household chores. And

typically, the family's finances and resources are drastically reduced

following the parents' breakup.

Single parent families deal with many other pressures and potential problem

areas that the nuclear family does not have to face.

Stressors faced by single parent families

Visitation and custody problems.

The effects of continuing conflict between the parents.

Less opportunity for parents and children to spend time together.

 Effects of the breakup on children's school performance and peer

relations.

Disruptions of extended family relationships.

Problems caused by the parents' dating and entering new relationships.

The single parent can help family members face these difficulties by talking

with each other about their feelings and working together to tackle problems.

Support from friends, other family members and the church or synagogue

can help too. But if family members are still overwhelmed and having

problems, it may be time to consult an expert.

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 The Stress of Single Mothers and its Effect on Quality Child Care

Salome Bronnimann The Masters College

Abstract
Research indicates that single mothers experience excessive stress and that the stress is a result of the need to
provide financially for the family concurrently with caring for the home in ways traditionally handled by both
men and women, acquiring new skills, and parenting. A review of the literature demonstrates that stress has a
direct impact on the child. However, results about its effect on the mothers ability to provide quality child care
were mixed. The purpose of this study was to determine whether single mothers experience stress and, if so,
whether or not the stress affects their ability to provide quality child care. Pursuant to this study, a survey
instrument that employed a six-question Likert-type scale was distributed to the single mothers of children
attending preschools in the Santa Clarita Valley as well as to students attending The Masters College. The
results of the study indicated that the single mothers in Santa Clarita Valley appear to successfully provide
adequate child care in spite of the stress they face, contrary to the perception of the students at The Masters
College.

Introduction

Single mothers juggle many responsibilities including financial provision, house keeping, and parenting (Rani,
2006). In addition, they lack a supportive spouse to turn to for counsel, cooperation, and comfort. The stress
in the mothers life and the way she deals with it also impacts her child. Current research suggests that
professional help is sought for mental health reasons by single-parent mothers two to three times more often
(Cairney, Boyle, Lipman, and Racine, 2004). Even the relatively privileged single mothers found it difficult to
manage (and got little support for) the traditional female tasks of cooking, cleaning, and caring for children
(Nelson, 2004, 1). Single mothers may be exposed to enormous stress due to the need to provide the
financial needs of the family concurrently with caring for the home including those responsibilities traditionally
assumed by men, acquiring new skills, and raising a child, all at the same time. This study investigated the
potential stress of single-mothers and its effect on their ability to provide child care.

General Stressors for Single Mothers

Single mothers have a dual responsibility in their households. Youre a working mom and youre tired beyond
belief. You rush to get to work on time, race to pick up the kids at day care, and juggle an endless list of
household chores before falling into bed at midnight (Hittner, 1998, p. 1). This is life for many women today in
the United States. Compared to two-parent households, lone parents have not only reduced money but also
half the adult time resources available (Craig, 2005, p. 522).

Stress may also result from various social pressures. Most immediately, conflict with the childs father, in
addition to not having a supportive husband, is an ongoing reality for many single mothers. Studies suggest
that depressive symptoms of single mothers are associated with mother/nonresident-father relationship
(Jackson & Scheines, 2005). Sometimes, the father does not acknowledge his offspring, and they go to court;
many are freshly divorced and have a hostile relationship; yet others constantly fight over child support
(Tharps, 2005). Even seeking a new relationship with a man is a challenge for single mothers. There is guilt,
Tharps says, in even contemplating a social outing without the kids (p. 5). On the other hand, she may not
want a new relationship while people around her urge her to seek one.

Social pressure may also include those of general societal expectations. That is, the society expects single
mother families to be more susceptible to problems than are two-parent biological families (Lansford,
Ceballo, Abbey, & Stewart, 2001, p. 8). Halemans research showed that public discourses about single
motherhood are manifested in their daily lives through expectations based on family form, welfare
participation, and race (Haleman, 1998, Abstract). Mothers subject to this pressure potentially develop
feelings of inferiority, aggression, and restlessness due to their single status (Rani, 2006).
The greatest challenge of all may be economical. Sixty percent of the children living with their mothers are in
poverty (Hargreaves, 1991, p. 23), and many of these mothers are young and never-married without high
school education nor the expected parenting skills. Even a middle class single mother is confronted with
financial uncertainty due to divorce and/or a lack of child support from the childs father (Tharps, 2005). The
drastic decline in income upon divorce is displayed in the US Census Bureau research: In 1992, the median
family income for two-parent families was $42,064; for families with no father present it was only $17,221
(Sroufe, Cooper, & DeHart, p. 62). They are not even able to simply devote themselves to work and/or higher
education in order to increase earnings due to their responsibilities to attend to their children (Craig, 2005).

Effects of Stress
Single mothers experience more stressful life events than do married mothers (Rani, 2006, p. 3). Single
mothers are affected by all of the above stressors, in addition to the stress of normal life and parenting. Stress
can weaken the mothers immune system when CRH, a hormone that makes one more focused and ready to
spring into action, is over secreted (Hittner, 1998). Therefore a single mother who juggles many responsibilities
more readily falls sick, creating an additional strain. Unfailingly, a study of various family structures has found
that single mothers had somewhat lower well-being than did married mothers (Lansford, Ceballo, Abbey, &
Stewart, 2001, p. 8).

The mothers stress will also affect the child, both directly and indirectly. Studies reveal that parenting stress
leads to a stricter disciplinary style and less nurturing behaviors toward the child (Crnic & Greenberg, 1987).
Mothers who are dissatisfied with their employment status enjoy their children less, are less confident as
parents, and have more difficulty controlling their children (Sroufe, Cooper, & DeHart, 1996, p. 60). These
parental behaviors mediate stress into negative influence on the development of the child. Moreover, a recent
study shows that parenting stress has a direct impact, independent from parenting practices, on preschool
childrens social competence (Anthony, et al., 2005). The mothers stress is reflected in the childrens
loneliness, withdrawal, regression, and fear of loss of the remaining parent. Socially too they showed either
aggression or withdrawal symptoms (Rani, 2006, p.3).

Providing Quality Child Care

Quality child care means, consistent response to signals, being available for communication, and alleviating
stress (Sroufe, et al., 1996). This practice then creates a base for mother-child attachment, enabling the child
to have confidence in the presence of other caregivers. In a recent study of quality mother-child relationship, a
survey was conducted asking children how often the mother praises the child, criticizes the child, how likely
the child would be to go to the mother if he or she had a major decision to make or was feeling depressed
(Lansford, et al., 2001). The same study also measured the mothers time with children both for quantity and
quality, as well as parental monitoring of children for how well the mother knew about the childs life. These
standards show that providing consistent quality child care requires availability and significant time
commitment.

Admittedly, single mothers face significant difficulty in providing quality child care for their children. Rani
(2006) found that a combination of parenting single handedly, financial tension, and strain of over load often
lead to neglect of children. Time poverty is the flipside of sole mothers employment (Craig, 2005, p. 522).
Craigs research was conducted in Australia and its applicability to the United States is unknown, but its results
are noteworthy. This study categorized a mothers time committed to child care as being either a primary
activity or secondary activity for the mother. No significant difference in time commitment was found between
married and single mothers in providing child care as a primary activity. However, as a secondary activity, not
requiring active involvement with the child but constricting the mother from certain tasks, single mothers were
found to commit more time to child care. These mothers compensated for the lack of time provided by a father
by cutting down both outside work and house work, and by spending time supervising the children while
engaging in other tasks (Craig, 2005). On the other hand, a study in India revealed conflicting results: The
[single] mothers did not have time to spend with children and faced problems in disciplining the children
(Rani, 2006, p. 8).

Additionally, the absence of a father aids in the difficulty of providing appropriate discipline. A fathers approach
to child rearing differs from that of a mother ( Hamilton, 1977 ) and seems to promote achievement
motivation. That may be why children raised apart from their fathers tend to exhibit lower academic
performance than those raised with their fathers (Swihart & Brigham, 1982, p. 62). Furthermore, a boy
models and identifies in his father more than in his mother. A father s involvement is invaluable in a girls life
also as it promotes discipline and sex role learning (Hamilton, 1977). It appears that the absence of the father
deprives children of numerous learning opportunities.
The single mother lives with the competing priorities of earning money and providing caring services to their
children (Craig, 2005). According to Tharps, the secret of being sane is reaching out for help (2005, p. 6).
For example, a rotation schedule with other neighborhood mothers frees up time for everyone (Calizaire,
2005). Sharing residence reduces the cost of living in addition to creating a family-like community looking after
each other and the children (Dickinson, 2001). Simply being able to share thoughts with someone else who is
in a similar situation can prove to be extremely helpful. Even if the woman is unable to find this within her
social realm, online sites and magazines can be a source of encouragement and connection with other single
mothers. Grandparents of the child, especially grandmothers who live nearby, have also played an important
role in the life of single mothers. It has been estimated that one-third of single mothers live in their parents
home at some point, the length of that stay averaging almost two years (Bianchi, 1995). Life is made easier by
the loving care and aged wisdom grandmas can provide as well as help with cooking, chauffeuring, and
pitching in with daily tasks (Miller, 1996).

Method
The purpose of this study was to determine the potential stress of single mothers and its effect on child care.
The following research questions were explored:

1. Are single mothers stressed?

2. Does single mothers stress affect their provision of quality child care?

These research questions provided the focus of this study.

Method of Data Collection

The survey instrument used in this study was designed to determine the potential stress of single mothers and
its effect on child care. A personal data sheet requested demographic data in addition to the responses to the
six survey questions. The survey instrument was distributed to single mothers of children attending St.
Stephens Nursery, Rise & Shine Preschool, and Santa Clarita Little People during the months of March and April
of 2006. The selection of preschools was dependent on the institutions willingness to participate, as well as the
presence or absence of single mothers. The instruments were returned to each facility and were placed in an
envelope to be collected by the researcher. A rephrased survey was also distributed to students at The Masters
College attending a night class or relaxing in Sweazy Dormitory Lounge on April 18, 2006. The instruments
were returned to the researcher the same evening. All of the above institutions used for data collection are
located in Santa Clarita, California.

Statistical Procedures
STATPAK was employed to examine the data; the desired scale of measurement was ordinal. In the ordinal
scale of measurement, the data are described in a ranked or dated set of values (Joseph & Joseph, 1986). The
One Dimentional Chi-Square statistical test was utilized to analyze the results because it measures the variance
of nominal or ordinal data, the discrepancy between frequencies actually observed in the sample of subjects
measured, and frequencies expected according to the stated hypothesis. The 0.05 level of significance was
used to test the results of the study. Data retrieved from the demographic portion of the survey instrument
were reported in percentages and figures.

Results
The first sample group for this study consisted of single mothers of children attending St. Stephens Nursery,
Rise & Shine Preschool, and Santa Clarita Little People in March and April, 2006. Sixty-four copies of the survey
instrument were distributed; ten were returned, and ten were used in this study. This sample will be referred
to as group A in the following narrative. The second sample group consisted of students at The Masters College
who were in a night class or in Sweazy Lounge on April 18, 2006. Thirty copies of the survey instrument were
distributed; twenty-five were returned, and twenty-five were used in this study. This sample will be referred to
as group B in the following narrative. The data collected from the 35 subjects will be discussed in subsequent
sections, commencing with the reporting of the demographic findings. Table 1 summarizes the survey
responses.

Discussion

Within the stated purpose and findings of this study, the following conclusions appear warranted:

1. Single mothers are stressed.

 2. Single mothers are perceived to be stressed.

3. Single mothers stress does not appear to affect their provision of quality child care as often as it is
perceived.

Many single mothers were under stress and lacked the time to invest in their children. However, the majority of
single mothers in the Santa Clarita area seemed to provide adequate child care in spite of the stress they
constantly experience. The Masters College students are aware of the stress that accompanies being a single
mother. They also assumed a lack of quality child care in these families.

This study revealed that there was great variance in the quality of child care provided in each of the single
mother families, suggesting that there may be other factors that contribute to the inability of mothers to
provide quality child care. A constant theme appeared to be a lack of time. It is imperative that these women
identify individuals who will assist them in their responsibilities, thus potentially enabling them to spend more
time with their children.

References

Anthony, L. G., Anthony, B. J., Glanville, D. N., Naiman, D. Q., Waanders, C., & Shaffer, S. (2005). The relationships
between parenting stress, parenting behaviour

and preschoolers social competence and behaviour problems in the classroom. Infant and Child Development, 14, 133-
154.

briachi, S. M. (1995). The changing demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of single parent families. Marriage &
Family Review, 20(1-2), 71-98.

Calizaire, C. (2005, October). How she does it. Working Mother, 28(8), 25-29.

Craig, L. (2005, Summer). The money or the care: A comparison of couple and sole parent households time allocation to
work and children. Australian Journal of Social issues, 40(4), 521-540.

Crnic K, & Greenberg M. (1987). Maternal stress, social support, and coping: Influences on early mother-child relationship.
In C. Boukydis (Ed.), Research on support for parents and infants in the postnatal period (pp. 25-40). NJ: Ablex.

Dickinson, A. (2001, May 28). The single life. Time, 157(21), 92.

Haleman, D. L. (1998). Thats not who I am: Contested definitions of single motherhood (Doctoral dissertation,
University of Kentucky, 1999). Dissertation Abstracts International, 59, 3317.

Hamilton, M. (1977). Fathers influence on children. Chicago: Nelson-Hall Inc.

Hargreaves, M. B. (1991). Learning under stress: Children of single parents and the schools. NJ: The Scarecrow Press, Inc.

Hittner, P. (1998, March). When stress makes you sick. Better Homes and Gardens, 76(3), 76-80.

Jackson, A., & Scheines, R. (2005, March). Single mothers self-efficacy, parenting in the home environment, and childrens
development in a two-wave study. Social Work Research, 29(1), 7-20.

Joseph, M.L., & Joseph, W. D. (1986). Research fundamentals in Home Economics. Redondo Beach: Plycon.

Lansford, J. E., Ceballo, R., Abbey, A., & Stewart, A. (2001, August). Does family structure matter? A comparison of
adoptive, two-parent biological, single-mother, stepfather, and stepmother households. Journal of Marriage and Family,
63(3), 840-852.

Miller, L. (1996). Two times three. The American Enterprise, 7(6), 75.

Rani, N. I., (2006, Winter). Child care by poor single mothers: Study of mother-headed families in India. Journal of
Comparative Family Studies, 37(1), 75-95.

Sroufe, L. A., Cooper, R. G., & DeHart, G. B. (1996). Child development: Its nature and course (3 rd ed.). New Baskerville:
Clarinda company.

Swihart, J. J., & Brigham, S. L. (1982). Helping children of divorce: Practical suggestions for parents, relatives, friends &
teachers. Il: InterVarsity Press.
 Tharps, L. L. (2005, May). The single moms survival guide. Essence, 36(1), 307-315.

https://www.kon.org/urc/v7/bronnimann.html

Overview

According to 2012 U.S. Census Bureau information, the number of children

reared in single-parent households continues to rise. Children with two
parents in the home -- earning two incomes -- tend to have better financial
and educational advantages. The effects of a single-parent home on a childs
behavior can be far-reaching and impact several areas of life, including
academic achievement and social behaviors.

Academic Achievement

Most single-parent households are run by mothers, and the absence of a

father -- coupled with lower household income -- can increase the risk of
children performing poorly in school. The lack of financial support from a
father often results in single mothers working more, which can in turn affect
children because they receive less attention and guidance with their
homework. Researcher Virginia Knox concluded from data from the National
Longitudinal Survey of Youth, that for every $100 of child support mothers
receive, their children's standardized test scores increase by 1/8 to 7/10 of a
point. In addition, Knox found that children with single mothers who have
contact and emotional support from their fathers tend to do better in school
than children who have no contact with their fathers.
Emotional Effects

Having only one income earner in the home puts single parent households at risk for poverty, finds research compiled by the

University of Washington's West Coast Poverty Center. Living in poverty is stressful and can have many emotional effects on

children, including low self-esteem, increased anger and frustration and an increased risk for violent behavior. Besides financial

constraints, other emotional effects of growing up in a single parent household may include feelings of abandonment, sadness,

loneliness and difficulty socializing and connecting with others. Effects vary from child to child, however, and the individual

parenting style of the single parent is also a big influence on the childs development.

Positive Effects

Single parenting can have positive effects on children as well, depending on other factors such as personality types and

parenting techniques. According to a study at Cornell University, positive single parenting did not show any negative impact on

the social and educational development of the 12- and 13-year-olds participating in the study. In addition, children in single-

parent families may exhibit strong responsibility skills, as they are often called upon to help out more with family chores and

tasks. Children in single-parent families often form close bonds with their parent, as they are closely dependent on each other

throughout the childs life. Children from single-parent families may also form closer bonds with extended family members or

family friends, as these people often help raise them.

Psychological Effects of a Single Parent Family

by JAMES ROLAND Last Updated: Oct 05, 2015

Overview

Growing up in a single-parent family can have both positive and negative

psychological effects on both you and your child. It's likely that children
may feel happy or relieved when their parents split up, for example, and the
house is no longer dominated by fighting, but there are also bound to be
feelings of longing for a "normal" two-parent family life, notes the website
KidsHealth. But recognizing these conflicting feelings and talking about
them can help a great deal.

Greater Sense of Responsibility

A report from the University of Florida Extension Office notes that one of
the major psychological effects of living in a single-parent family is a
greater sense of responsibility. Children tend to assume responsibilities at
home and learn to appreciate the sacrifices and effort made by the single
parent with whom they live. Kids may at times resent having to grow up a
little faster, which means it's especially important for their single parents to
make sure their children still enjoy some of the typical parts of childhood,
whether it's youth sports, summer camp, or the other fun parts of school and
friends.

Reduced Conflict-Related Stress

In a Psychology Today blog from January 2009, author and social

psychologist Bella DePaulo, Ph.D., points out that research indicates that
kids fare better academically and socially in a single-parent home than in a
two-parent home where there is a lot of conflict. Psychologically, children
dealing with stress and uncertainty struggle in many aspects of their lives. If
the fighting and arguing that can exist in an unhappy family can be
eliminated through divorce or separation, children may experience an
improved outlook.
Resentment

A child who lives with one parent may find many things to resent about his
life. He may be angry with one or both parents for having to grow up in a
single-parent home, and blame one or both for being the cause of a single-
parent arrangement. He may also resent other kids who appear to have a
happier, more secure home life, and resent the lack of attention he receives
from his working parent. When these feelings start to appear, it's important
for a child to speak out, particularly with individuals in the home, advises
KidsHealth.

Improved Parent-Child Relationships

The University of Florida report echoes a common theme among single-

parent research: the relationship between a single parent and a child can be
one that is close and affectionate. A child in a single-parent home often sees
the parent in a new light, and a single parent may be more likely to focus
love and affection on a child when no spouse is involved. The parent and
child are mutually dependent on each other, and in many cases this leads to
a relationship that is more supportive and communicative.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/1006946-effects-single-parenting-american-society/

The Education of Children of Single Parent Homes

by DANIELLE HILL Last Updated: Aug 13, 2015
In 2004, about half of all U.S. children could expect to still be living with both their biological parents by the time they reached

age 15, according to the Social Science Research Network. With the increase of divorce rates throughout the United States

and elsewhere in the world, single-parent homes are a major segment of all households with children. Accordingly, it's a point of

intense interest to educators and parents how a single-parent environment affects children's learning.

Potential Challenges

Typically, single parents have to manage far more tasks than the mothers or fathers in two-parent households, simply because

of practical limitations on the division of labor. At least until children are old enough to take on household chores, all the

housekeeping responsibilities fall on one person, as well as wage earning and parenting. As a result, it's possible for single

parents to have less time or energy to encourage their children's learning by reading together, overseeing homework or

planning educational, entertaining and fitness activities and outings for the family.

Education and Behavior

Aside from the direct influence of household structure on academic achievement and learning, a single-family home

environment may influence a child's behavioral performance in school, which can indirectly affect learning and interest in

school. According to Adoption.com, when single parents are working full time and therefore have less available time for their

children, the situation may lead to either behavioral issues or lower academic achievement.

Historical Trends

In the late '80s, when single-parent homes were less common than at present, a study carried out at the University of Illinois at

Urbana, reported by "The New York Times," found that children raised by one parent were less likely to continue their schooling

through high school and into college. From a sample of 2,500 children, the longer kids were in single-parent households, the

shorter their educations. Since the early 1990s, however, a new model has become the standard for statistics measuring

academic performance in children of varied household types. Instead of using a Family Deficit Model, which presupposes that

single-parent households are incomplete and nonstandard, contemporary statistics instead use a Risk and Protective Factor

Model. The model views family structures based on multiple risk factors, including positive and negative life events and general

characteristics of the family unit.

Understanding Statistics

Sociologists continue to chart the relationship between household structure and academic performance. With the increasing

prevalence of single-family homes and continuously changing methods of measuring educational performance, it's impossible

to reduce the relationship to one of direct cause and effect. According to Adoption.com, statistics such as a 1992 study

published in the journal "Sociology and Education" show that children from one-parent households generally evidence lower

academic achievement. However, the site also points out that many studies, including the 1992 investigation, indicate that

income level has much greater effect on education than family structure.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/549047-the-education-of-children-of-single-parent-homes/

Are there Advantages to a Single Parent Family?

by JILL AVERY-STOSS Last Updated: Aug 13, 2015

Multiple studies have demonstrated that children fare best in households with both biological parents, but bringing up your child

in a two-parent home is not always possible. A variety of circumstances result in single parenting, including: death of a parent,

military service for one parent, an incarcerated father or mother, and divorce. Single parenthood affects children, but not all of

the effects are negative.

Parenting Style

Parents do not always parent in harmony; in fact, they may have vastly
different expectations of their children and ideas about discipline. For
instance, one parent may approve of spanking, while the other finds it
abusive and prefers the utilization of time-outs. An advantage of a single
parent home is the ability to parent the way you feel is most effective and
manageable. You can set the pace for getting ready for school in the
morning, doing homework and completing chores in the evening and what
time your child goes to bed at night. You don't have to compromise or
negotiate with the other parent.

Making Decisions

In most circumstances, both parents have legal rights as to some specific

decisions regarding their children, even if the children reside with only one
parent. You may be required to consult with the other parent regarding
matters of education, medical care and religious practice, for instance. In
many other cases, however, you can make decisions without the need for
consultation. An advantage of a single-parent home is that you can plan
birthday parties, have sleepovers, agree or disagree about puppy adoption
and approve or disapprove of a first date -- as you alone think appropriate.

Family Health

Maintaining a single parent household is advantageous when the other parent

is in some way toxic or dangerous to the family. A parent who suffers from
drug or alcohol addiction can wreak havoc by taking money and
disappearing for days, for instance, as could a mother or father who is in
any way abusive. Children who grow up in high-conflict homes suffer
academically, are at an increased risk of substance abuse and are at a
"greater risk for early family formation and dissolution," say researchers
Kelly Musick and Ann Meier in "Are Both Parents Always Better Than
One? Parental Conflict and Young Adult Well-Being."
Personal Rewards

Another advantage to a single-parent family is of specific benefit to the

parent. Single-handedly running a household, maintaining a budget and
ensuring the well-being of even one child is unarguably a challenge.
Enduring the life of a single parent while juggling other stressors, such as
illness and job instability, compounds this feat. Managing these multiple
tasks is likely to produce feelings of accomplishment and pride. Successfully
and solely navigating parenthood may be a well-deserved boost to the single
parent's sense of self-worth.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/1006946-effects-single-parenting-american-
society/