single parent essay introduction

Single Parent - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

A single parent is an individual who has most of the day-to-day responsibilities in the raising of the child or children, which would categorize them as the dominant caregiver. Essays could discuss the challenges and rewards of single parenting, societal attitudes towards single parents, and the impact of single parenting on children. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Single Parent you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Importance of the Single Parenting Problem

Single parents are often turned down or used as a last resort when adopting a child. Many professionals as well as the general public think it is in the best interest of the child to grow up with a mother and father. This ideal is keeping children in foster care longer than necessary. Individuals have to go through greater obstacles to adopt a child including independent or international adoptions. Even these methods of adoption are not guaranteed. The current policies […]

Children from Single Parenting Family

Single Parenting has been known to history ever since the 17th century. Over 33% of children have lost one parent during their childhood throughout the centuries due to many factors. Single Parent families differ from families with two parents because only one parent decides how to run the household instead of two parents. So, Single parenting is a new economic phenomenon that has become more recurrent possibly due to the death of parent or partner, an unintended pregnancies or single […]

A Two-Edged Mom

It is very difficult for a single mom to raise two children. The demands of life can be too much for this mother and even if she is the best person on Earth, she can possibly fail to successfully raise those two children. This is the case for Amanda Wingfield, the mother of Laura and Tom Wingfield in Tennessee Williams's The Glass Menagerie. Amanda’s husband had left the family when the children were very young. Amanda spends her whole life […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Single Parents: Positive Single Parenting

Being a single parent is incredibly challenging, especially if the family is headed by a woman. She must provide and care for her children, including cooking, feeding, clothing, and transporting them, all while maintaining a career. It is essential for her to spend time raising her children, providing them with experiences, activities, and inspiration, all while managing her own professional development. She engages in shaping the futures of her children, guiding them towards establishing their own lives. Until her children […]

Children Grow up Without a Father

Approximately 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States go through a divorce at least once in their lifetime. Some reasons for divorce are extreme such as abuse or neglect of family. Some are simple, such as being in an unhappy relationship or finances. Bringing a little human into the world and teaching them what is right and what is wrong, and not to mention equipping them with the skills to live a happy and healthy life […]

Why is Sociological Imagination Important

Final Paper During the entirety of this semester we have focused on different aspects of social inequality. After being introduced to the chapters provided in the text, you can conclude that social inequality focuses specifically on economic, racial and gender inequality. These three components allow us to see how there is inequality based on one’s wealth/income and physical characteristics as well as the unequal treatment based on gender. As each chapter has shown great significance and insight of why our […]

Effects of Divorce on Families

The most basic effects of separation on kids or young adults incorporate an effect on their psychological changes, proper social skills, scholarly accomplishments and even behavior impacts that can carry on over the span of adulthood. The most recognized effects that divorce has on kids present themselves in the way that children will begin to reprimand themselves for the separation, there is a sense of vulnerability in elements of life that were previously concrete, there are social issues that emerge, […]

Effects of Marriage and Divorce on Children

Development during early childhood is very important. It shapes who a person is in their actions, values, and ideals for the rest of their life. Divorce can affect how a child develops cognitively. Due to the stress of conflict, potential lack of attention or loss of resources the child receives during divorce it can be detrimental to how a young child cognitively develops and can have impacts on their life in the moment, but also long-term consequences. The self-image of […]

Homelessness Issues and Child Care

What exactly do you think of when you hear the word homeless, shelter, or maybe even the word unsettled? Being homeless means to live without a roof over your head, and being in the streets or even living from house to house. Realistically, unfortunate things happen to people, for instance losing a job, losing a house due to not being able to financially take care of yourself, or even having problems with mental health. Homelessness doesn’t only affect adults, kids […]

Junction City Community Center

Abstract In this paper I will identify some public issues in my community that will benefit from having a community center in the city. I will go over the functions of my programs and how they will affect the immediate population. I will also go over potential cost of a program and development of this magnitude and again outline what it will bring to the community. Various social groups and businesses in the area will be attracted to the positive […]

My Admired Person my Mother: the Strength and Resilience

The Pillar of Strength - My Admired Person, My Mother Family is a very strong word that holds a strong meaning. For me, Family is very important. If I did not have the wonderful people that make up my Family, I do not think I could be where I am today. I owe them most of the things I have. However, most importantly, I owe them all the unconditional love and support that I receive from them every day. According […]

Complete and Incomplete Family

There are also several variables that can have an effect in addition to the nontraditional family type. This literature review is broken down into two sections:  nontraditional family type, and  variables. The family type section explains the problems that exist in the different types of nontraditional homes. The variable section goes into more detail about the different variables within these homes that can contribute to poor emotional health among children. Nontraditional Family Types Cohabiting Families. There were overwhelming reviews of […]

Petina’s Unconventional Path to Motherhood in ‘Pa Wars’

Pa Wars is a short story written by writer Patricia Grace, a writer of novels, short stories, and children's books in the mid-nineteenth century. In Pa Wars, Petina tells her old school friend Raycharles that she's looking for a father for her baby. The thread that runs through all the stories, though, is Grace's huge sympathy for the underdog and the perspective of the outsider. The world she depicts is often a stark and unsentimental place, in which people struggle […]

Single Mother Can be Super Successful

We all are a melting pot made up of different ideas and backgrounds depending on out genetics and backgrounds we may have different ways of doing things and different views. Family dynamics have changed over the years and are no longer considered traditional, families are so diverse now and days. The diverse family I choose to explore is a single mom who has two children and one of those children suffer from mental and behavioral issues. The growing diversity in […]

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

The Struggles of Single Parenting Essay

Introduction, financial challenge, finding competent childcare, the world on your shoulder, feeling lost and alone, introducing your child to those who you are dating, works cited.

Parenting is the central role of family, which is the basic unit of society. Thus, a society is characterized by the quality of parenting achieved at the family level. The stigma surrounding single parenthood is borne out of the contemporary notion that family comprises a father, mother and children (Hanson, 44). Single parent families are thus vilified on the notion that they are deficient.

In some instances, weakened gender-identity and poor self-esteem culminates from the existence of single parenthood. Parenting involves responsibilities and resources, which one individual cannot avail at the desired time and in the required proportion. Despite the significance of parenting to the life of an individual, little or no formal grounding is available for would-be parents on how to best execute the job (Hanson, 45). The concept of single parenthood highlighted is that of a single motherhood. As a result, most families characterized by single parenthood comprise of a single mother (Bornstein, 56). Growing up under the care of single parent has its influence on the personality of an individual.

In spite of the challenges facing single parents, the implicit differences in an individual’s personality cannot be accurately attributed to the type of parenting they receive. However, as postulated by McLanahan & Sandefur p1,

“Children who grow up in a household with only one biological parent are worse off on average than children who grow up in a household with both of their biological parents, regardless of the parents race or educational background, whether the parents were married when the child was born and …of whether the resident parent remarries”p1.

Single parent households face numerous challenges as discussed hereunder. However, these challenges are relative to the situation faced by families headed by both parents.

The ability of a single parent to avail sufficient financial resources for upbringing of a child is limited. Hanson (p56) posits that poverty limits the ability to look after children in addition to personal needs of the parent. It also has far-reaching adversities such as poor performance at school, youth delinquency and poor self-concept. The associated unavailability of proper housing, insecurity and abuse increase the influence of single-parenthood to development of a child in spite of the fact that wealth is no guarantee of positive outcome in character of the children.

However, resource availability boosts the affordability of some necessary amenities. As outlined by McLanahan & Sandefur (p 10), in 1980, the overall dropout rate was 19%, with 13% of the children residing with both parents. Most single parents experience compounded issues relating to finances. The inability to gain entry into the jobs market is borne out of socio-economic constraints. Most of them are non-literate or semi literate.

The lack of skills and competencies in income-generating activities contribute to their scenario in most cases. Single parents who are financially stable have higher chances of remarrying as well. Thus, most of the single mothers who experience financial constraints sink into a downward spiral into poverty. Single parents are in a dilemma when it comes to dealing with unemployment and scarcity of resources or having time for themselves and parenting their child. As observed, poverty is major contributor to inability to remarry after divorce or getting married in the first place.

Gone are the days when a neighbor would assist with household chores without asking for some form of compensation (Walsh, 138). Each individual is involved in income generation and it is common-practice for people seeking services of others to offer competitive pay. At the backdrop of financial constraints, a single parent finds themselves unable to afford childcare according to McLanahan & Sandefur (p 8). Since the single parent has to attend to her work responsibilities, part of the day’s prime hours are spend away from the child. Most workplaces are not considerate of such scenarios and do not have flexibility regarding day care (Hanson, 50)

Children require a father figure to which they can relate and adore. A single-parent family presents a scenario where the parents are not living together and takes away the opportunity of the child to experience the nurture of two parents. As a result, there is loss or absence of social capital. McLanahan & Sandefur (p 3) describes social capital as the scenario where a relationship develops out of trust and commitment.

If the absentee parent is alive, the child is bound to feel that the parent who lives apart does not love them enough to afford time and financial resources to support their needs. As articulated by Hanson (p115), uncertainty about the future is bound to breed deviant tendencies and undesirable personal traits. The ability of the child to succeed and grow to a productive adult is severely compromised due to lack of this form of guidance.

The arrival or departure of the father figure is associated with problems, while strong home environments are associated with perceptions of positive behavior (Hanson 50). Thus, support of a fatherly figure is of utmost necessity. As posited by Walsh, “Although single parents are likely to have more stress and a fragmented household, these parents and children can learn how get their needs met within their networks. With support from extended family…useful connection with community members…”p127

Data reveals that single parents are more likely to sink into depression than their married counterparts are (Walsh, 124). The unavailability of a caring partner to strengthen the single parent against the challenges of parenting is bound to exert immense pressure on the single parent. However, this relies on the level of support from friends, relatives or support groups. The changing roles of the single parent, in addition to the other challenges of parenting are bound to cultivate ground for loneliness. The parent has to divide their resources between their love and that of the child. As a result, decision-making becomes a challenge, since a second opinion may only be available from the child he or she is upbringing.

The dating scene presents another challenge to a single parent. Many times, the bond between the prospective partner and the child may fail to develop leading to the child disapproving of them. This occurs since the child feels that the prospective ‘partner’ has come to take the place of the absentee parent. As a result, the child develops barriers to frustrate the individual, culminating into tensions that compromise the success of the relationship (Moore et al, 103). On the other hand, the parent is unsure about the longevity of the relationship from the onset. Incase the child develop a bond with the prospective partner, it is possible that the child will be distraught in case the relationship does not work.

Single parenthood is a major challenge even in the absence of the above stated difficulties. However, the outcome of parenting is not necessarily related to the presence of two parents as observed from both cases of parenting. In spite of the challenges faced by single parents, no evidence is conclusive relating to the adverse impact of one-parent families to the personality of the children in adult life. As a result, parents should strive to avail the best possible care and nurture to their children regardless of their scenario

Bornstein, Marc H. “Handbook of Parenting: Being and Becoming a Parent, Volume 3” USA: Routledge, 2002, p 50-60

Hanson, Shirley M. “Single Parent Families: Diversity, Myths, and Realities, Volume 1” New York: Routledge, 1994, p 30-150

McLanahan, Sara and Sandefur, Gary D. “Growing Up With A Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps” USA: Harvard University Press, 1994, p1-100

Moore, Kristin A et al. “Choice and Circumstance: Racial Differences in Adolescent Sexuality and Fertility”Transaction Publishers, 1989 p100-105

Walsh, Froma. “Normal Family Processes: Growing Diversity and Complexity”, New York: Guilford Press, 2003, p 120-128

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2021, December 10). The Struggles of Single Parenting. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-struggles-of-single-parenting/

"The Struggles of Single Parenting." IvyPanda , 10 Dec. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/the-struggles-of-single-parenting/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'The Struggles of Single Parenting'. 10 December.

IvyPanda . 2021. "The Struggles of Single Parenting." December 10, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-struggles-of-single-parenting/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Struggles of Single Parenting." December 10, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-struggles-of-single-parenting/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Struggles of Single Parenting." December 10, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-struggles-of-single-parenting/.

• "Too Big to Fail" by Curtis Hanson
• ”Preferences for Photographic Art Among Hospitalized Patients With Cancer” by Hanson ET Al.
• Film Studies: "LA Confidential" by Curtis Hanson
• Child Care in Infancy: Characteristic and Preference
• Postpartum Psychosis: Impact on Family
• Home-Start Family Supporting Program: Supporting Program for Children and Their Families
• The Controversies of Spanking: Effect of Regular Spanking
• Ethical Argument for Surrogate Motherhood

• Essay Editor

Single-parent families

1. introduction.

Single-parent families have been a part of all cultures in the past. Today, a number of social and economic changes have allowed more single-parent families to be created, including an increase in divorce, separation, and the increased chance of outliving a spouse. The number of single-parent families has more than tripled since 1960. Most often, the cause of this newly developed family is related to the change in society. Thus, it is evident that single-parent families have become more common today. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief description of single-parent families and their development in today's society, including their impact on children. This should provide a clear understanding of the effects of single-parent families on children, which has been a topic of great concern and personal interest of Tamara's. 1.1 Definition of Single-Parent Families There are a number of diverse types of families that will be discussed. However, for the sake of this paper, only a general definition of a single-parent family will be put forth. "A family in which a parent is the head of the household and responsible for all decision making, with complete economic and emotional responsibility for one or more children." This means that even in cases where a parent has shared custody, if that parent is not the primary caregiver and does not have the children for at least 2/3 of the time, that family will still be considered a single-parent family. This definition allows for clarification regarding the specific type of family being referenced, which is important as there are many different types of families that could fall under this category. This definition also makes it clear that single-parent families are vastly different from intact families in many ways.

1.1 Definition of single-parent families

The fixed, traditional definition of a nuclear family is in many ways obsolete. Today it is both a common and prevalent lifestyle for many families to be defined as anything but a nuclear unit. A single parent, not only parent to one or more children, is usually defined as the individual who takes the role of primary caregiver and is the person most responsible for the health and well-being of their children. This may describe a range of families from separated, divorced, widowed, or never married and they may have blended, parallel, extended, or no family structure. Single parents raise one quarter of the children under the age of eighteen in the United States. That's roughly 13.6 million children. This statistic is not just significant to the citizens of the United States, but to other countries as well. The numbers have become a great concern because the family structure has a great impact on the children and the outcome of the way that they live when they are older. Around 60% of the children who live in a single-parent household are at or below the poverty level compared to 37% from broken homes. Only 11% of children in a two-parent household are at or below the poverty level. It is clear that a nuclear family is better for the children in terms of financial, health, and emotional well-being. Because of the large amount of children being raised in single-parent families, alternative families are said to be "no longer unconventional." This states that the public has finally realized the emotional, financial, and overall capabilities to raise children in a single-parent environment. Furthermore, "it has become more socially acceptable for a woman to bear and raise a child on her own, without a man involved." In general terms, not every single-parent family is the same, some may fit the classic description of a nuclear family and some may not. Any situation where a parent and the child do not live together in the same household as the other biological parent is classified as an alternate family.

1.2 Prevalence of single-parent families

Data on the prevalence of single-parent families are very sketchy. Estimates vary from 15 to 35 percent of families in the Western world. In many nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, single parent families are now more than 20% of all families. In the mid to late 1980s, this figure has increased from 13.5% in 1976. In other nations, this is not the case. For example, single parent families are more common in nations such as Denmark and Sweden. Information on the rate of single motherhood in nations such as Japan or Taiwan is hard to find. Since the 1970s, in just about all nations, an increasing proportion of single-parent families have been the result of divorce. In terms of the prevalence of single-parent families by race and ethnicity, this again is difficult to determine due to the limitations of available data. However, there are an increasing number of families among Caucasian families in Western nations. In the US, the proportion of African American families headed by women is approximately 49%, and for Hispanic families, approximately 33%. In New Zealand, the proportion of European families in 1993 was just over 16%, Maori 36%, and Pacific Islands approximately 55%. Simultaneously, the past 30 years has seen many nations launch support systems for single-parent families. This is often in the form of financial assistance in the way of welfare payments, or more formal child and family support services. There are major differences in approaches to single-parent families, and the prevalence of single-parent families amongst developed nations is reflective of underlying social, economic, and governmental differences.

2. Challenges faced by single-parent families

Due to their typically lower income, research shows that children from single-parent families are more likely to get lower grades, drop out of high school, and are less likely to continue on to college than children from two-parent families. The added stress of being a single parent often causes parents to rely on older children to care for younger ones, which can be an added source of stress to teenagers. At its worst, parents may lose custody of their children because they are no longer able to provide for them. In addition to financial stresses, single-parent homes often have higher stress levels, which can affect parent-child relationships. With single parents having to work and also go to school, time spent with children is often significantly reduced. This has been associated with increased behavior problems in children. A lack of time with a child may also be an opportunity cost of the work that has to be done for them. For example, a parent that worked too much might find that they missed a child's first steps. High stress levels can also cause a higher incidence of physical punishment, and in severe cases, child abuse. Balancing work and parenting responsibilities is a challenge for any parent, but it is especially difficult for a single parent. Single parents must be more organized and conscious of time and time management. Often, the workday does not end for single parents. After work, there are still meals to be made, laundry to be done, and dishes to be cleaned. Married parents may split housework and childcare, but single parents are required to do it all. Often, children are given responsibilities beyond their years. Teenagers often have to get a job to help make ends meet and may take over the role of a non-resident parent in financial contribution to the family. A study conducted by the Canadian Council on Social Development, entitled "The Costs of Raising Children," found that "Children from poor families are often required to take on part-time or summer jobs at an early age to help their families pay for basic necessities." This is often an opportunity cost of these children's education. A child working a full-time summer job for the family can reduce their chances of getting into college. Even parent-child roles may be reversed with the child taking on a parental role to provide emotional or instrumental support for the struggling parent. This increased responsibility can increase daily stress in the child and may be an added source of stress in the parent due to feeling that they are not successfully fulfilling their role as a parent.

2.1 Financial struggles

Parenting a child on one’s own can be stressful. Finances can be a strain, especially if the parent does not receive child support. Most single parents have a hard time succeeding in the workforce because they lack the resources for childcare. A single parent has to work full-time and also take care of the children, leaving no extra time for a social life or for the children. Often times children become another financial burden to the single parents that is hardly affordable. Fifty-six percent of all poor families are maintained by single mothers. This is a harsh reminder that single parent families are one of the hardest family structures to maintain. The unemployment rate for single mothers is higher than the rate for single fathers and two parent families. It is six times higher than average for married couples in the U.S. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2005). The U.S. Census Bureau reported that about 30 percent of single mothers are considered as living in poverty and about 4.8 million children are on food stamps. These statistics show that the financial struggles of single parents are far worse than the rest of society.

2.2 Balancing work and parenting responsibilities

While the previous section discussed the major financial constraints single-parent families experience, a by-product of this is a rise in the amount of stress and pressure felt by the parent. With a sole income earner for the family, the stakes are higher, and they may feel an increased necessity to stay in a job that they do not enjoy, which in turn can lead to feelings of resentment and despair. Most single parents are not able to work in a job that offers them much flexibility in terms of working hours and may often have to work unsociable hours to fit in with when their children are at home or in bed. They may be overemployed in an effort to provide for their family and thus not have enough time to spend with their children. One income is often not enough to adequately provide for a family, and many single parents experience a constant struggle to make ends meet. Due to the lack of income and increased financial pressures, single parents are often forced to move to cheaper, and often poorer areas. This may result in their children having to move to a different school, loss of friends and, in effect, loss of support. As the parent is often at work, the child may often be left to their own devices and forced to mature at a young age. This is similar to the idea of having a latch-key kid, in which the child will let themselves into the house on returning from school and essentially parent themselves until their real parent gets home. This could have several negative consequences, as discussed in the next section.

2.3 Emotional and psychological impact on children

Additional stress and possible stigmatization that results from a single-parent family may affect the children. They may be constantly worrying about their parent, trying to take care of them and become overly responsible. They may feel angry about having to take on adult roles and resent the loss of their childhood. Depression may also affect them. As previously mentioned, economic hardships from situational factors may be the cause of some of these emotional or psychological problems. However, there has been evidence that children from single-parent families are more prone to such mental illnesses, supporting the idea that the environment in most single parent families is more stressful and there is often conflict between the parent and child. Performance in school is also affected by the increased stress from the economic and emotional responsibilities of a single parent. Children of single parents often perform poorly in school, drop out more frequently, and have more behavioral problems. All of the results of the various factors previously discussed. This will affect the child throughout their life, being a determinant and perpetuating the repeat of life chances of their parent. On the contrary, there are many children from single-parent families who become successful adults and many of the problems created by living in a single-parent home can be circumvented with effective solutions to the obstacles which the parent and child experience.

2.4 Limited support network

The single-parent family that has been shown in the United States has caused a great deal of concern about the well-being of children raised in single-parent homes. The reason why the amount of concerns about the well-being of children raised by a single parent increases is because nowadays it has become a norm. It makes us not worry about it and say that it is common for this to happen. But the condition of others needs to be a concern for us. Children raised by a single parent can have many causes of stress. Limited income and emotional resources, for example, can have a detrimental effect on the family. Instability because of divorce or separation often causes the residential parent to move, and it can affect the financial position and the educational environment of children. Because of economic hardship, there is also a psychological effect on the economic security of children. Such children are more likely to be exposed to various social and environmental problems. So the condition of the children raised by a single parent should be known deeply by society, what they feel and need to evaluate the cause of it.

3. Coping strategies for single-parent families

Single-parent families have a lot less stress and problems to deal with than a two-parent family. Whether it's a lone mother or father, the responsibilities and emotional stress that the parent has to deal with is very problematic. Because the family is only relying on one source of income, there are financial issues such as food, shelter, and other necessities. Often times, the other parent has left and is not providing financial support, thus leading the parent to seek new education or employment, and sometimes full-time employment is not an option if the child is young. Due to economic stress, 30% of single mothers and their children are living in poverty, as for 17.2% of single father families. This can bring negatives to a child's personality and quality of life. In some cases, this can result in a child performing poorly in school due to the inability to pay for lunch. High school students may drop out and not pursue college due to poor academic performance as a result of working to support their family. And of course, the child is most likely not to have enough money to participate in leisure activities with other children.

3.1 Seeking financial assistance and resources

In a perfect world, all single parents would receive the correct amount of child support they are entitled to and receive it on time from their child's other parent. However, we know this is not the case. Many single parents are not receiving the correct amount of child support. In fact, many are not receiving any child support at all. Some single parents who are owed back child support may encounter problems with intercepting a tax refund to which they are entitled to by using the Federal Tax Refund Offset Program. Others are finding the non-custodial parents are quitting their jobs, going on welfare, or getting paid under the table to avoid paying child support. Maine's Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery hosts a "Black Hole" Campaign each year. It is a public awareness campaign to remind parents of their responsibility to support their children, and to lead them to DSER services where they can get help to reach that goal. Many parents are finding that the help of an attorney, though costly, has been effective in securing child support. There are methods for single parents to increase their income. Some will choose to attain education and training in an attempt to secure a better paying job. Others may use the help of Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) to pay for child care so they can continue working. ERDC is available for families with income up to 180% of the federal poverty level. By working and/or continuing education, parents are setting a good example for their children and teaching them the importance of being self-sufficient.

3.2 Establishing routines and schedules

Routines and schedules are important within a family unit, providing structure and predictability for children and decreasing the burden of parental responsibilities. For single parents, creating and maintaining such routines can be especially difficult due to the lack of backup and support when other commitments arise. Routines take time to become established and require consistency with reinforcement. Inconsistent parenting or habitual changes in routines can be confusing and unsettling for children. When children know what to expect, it enforces the parents' authority in a positive way and reduces the likelihood of power struggles. To install an effective routine, parents need to first establish their shared parenting goals and then involve the children in their discussions. Here, negotiation and bargaining not only provide children with a chance to offer their opinions, but also allows them to accept limits set by the parents that they may not agree with. The feeling of ownership encourages children to participate willingly. Flexibility is important when considering the age of the children. Young children are likely to adapt quickly to change and are satisfied with a short-term simple routine with small regular activities. On the other hand, older children and teenagers may be resistant, especially if the single-parent situation is new to them. Get to know your kids, and gauge when to move on to the next step through observing their behaviour. Stick to the agenda once it has been set, and remain consistent. Fulfill all promises to children whenever possible and, because interruptions may be inevitable, explain the situation when a change in the routine has to occur. Know your limitations and do not take on too much at once. Over-scheduling can lead to stress and failure, defeating the purpose of what was originally intended. An effective routine should run smoothly and be self-reinforcing. Once the benefits of a routine become apparent for all involved, it will be easier to maintain.

3.3 Building a support system

Recommendations for change are not just successful when the policy meets the needs of the person, they also need the active involvement of the individual to take part in the decision-making and implementation process. Bradley (1994) demonstrated that support did have a positive impact on the empowerment of single parents as they were able to access their support worker and share their thoughts on the support they had received and were currently getting. They were able to work together in an equal partnership to decide how they could make improvements to the service or support they were accessing. Bradley suggests that in order to break the mould of oppressive services which disempower single parents, professionals need training and ongoing education both academically and professionally. This would be to ensure that they are aware of the isomorphic trends and to help professionals avoid such behaviour and not replicate the oppressive forms of social work and other services which are not consistent with current anti-oppressive policy. Of course, some single parent families are not able to receive the support they need. Often there are promises of strategies and initiatives to help provide dense networks of social support which may go as far as enabling single parents to live in a more enriched neighbourhood. Unfortunately, these are not always carried out due to severe cuts in public funding for the social services and Jobcentre Plus programmes. The recent reforms in welfare offering more conditionality and sanctions are likely to immerse single parent families in deeper poverty with less of a chance of obtaining more skills and better jobs. On the other hand, we can attempt to build support and social networks within community associations. McLennan et al. (2007, p. 248) states that by promoting policies to provide financial support or concessions to community groups and associations, it will enable a greater range of social and civic participation effectively reducing inequalities in health and wellbeing, an essential aim for lone parents.

3.4 Prioritizing self-care

Resources to promote and maintain physical and emotional well-being provide the foundation that makes it possible for parents to care for their children. Taking the time to attend to proper nutrition, physical fitness, and emotional needs is not a self-indulgent act, but essential to family survival. Taking advantage of programs and information designed to help can make the task less daunting. Free or low-cost brochures, videos, web-based seminars, and "in-person" classes offered via community health organizations or healthcare providers can provide valuable information about how to eat well on a tight budget, easy and affordable ways to incorporate physical fitness into a daily routine, parenting tips, managing stress, and many other topics. A solid and affordable way to access knowledge and support regarding a wide variety of health and wellness topics is through the local Cooperative Extension Service, which has offices in nearly every county in the U.S. CES offers a plethora of free or low-cost resources, including access to nutritionists, registered dietitians, family and child wellness experts, exercise physiologists, and more. Low-cost services are typically available to low-income families and individuals who receive benefits such as WIC or SNAP. Check the county blue pages for contact information or visit the USDA website. Self-care is not just about maintaining physical health but mental health as well.

4. Policy implications and support for single-parent families

4.1 Government programs and initiatives 4.2 Workplace policies and flexibility 4.3 Access to affordable childcare The emergence of single-parent families as a significant family form in Western society has been characterized by demographic change. The number of children living in a single-parent family has risen dramatically. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that sole parent families have increased. As more and more single-parent families have emerged, the focus on the wellbeing of the traditional family has shifted towards the wellbeing of single-parent families. This has led to a number of policy implications, support programs, and special initiatives aimed at creating equality of opportunity between single-parent and two-parent families. 4.1 Government programs and initiatives Legal and policy changes in the late 20th century have had a marked effect on the economic circumstances of single parents. This came in the form of improvements to the tax-transfer system, more generous income support and support for higher child care quality, changes to family law and child support systems. Such initiatives are designed to improve the economic circumstances of single-parent families in an effort to decrease the prevalence and impact of child poverty. The effects have been wide-ranging with a recent report suggesting that changes to the tax-transfer system have improved the economic wellbeing of many sole parents and their children (Institute of Family Studies, 2004). This is an important step towards improving the overall wellbeing of single-parent families and creating a level playing field between them and two-parent families.

4.1 Government programs and initiatives

Government intervention through public policies is considered necessary in single-parent families, given their financial and material deprivation. This measure is also justified on the grounds of high social costs accruing from children of single parents who become inadequate or delinquent to peer group and school dropouts. These social costs take the form of future welfare payments, health costs due to high stress and related chronic illness, unemployment, and associated crime. There is evidence of long-term benefit from public investment in the form of preventive and early intervention strategies with high-risk children and families. The Corporate Plan for the Department of Social Security is claimed to set a future direction for more coordinated and sustainable investment through prevention and early intervention. So the possibility to provide a better quality of life for single-parent families and recipients of direct payments from Income Support through a review of rates, along with specific payments for children and housing costs. One of the best ways to ascertain the impact of government policies or programs is through taxable income. It was not until the reforms to the Australian income tax system in July 2000 and the introduction of Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part B that single-parent families began to see the benefit of any changes. FTB Part B aimed to provide extra assistance to families with one main income earner, in which case this is often the situation for a single-parent family. The reduction in work disincentives for sole parents has also been an ongoing issue. The Lone Parent Action Group (ACT) says that while sole parents have a higher rate of activity than other groups, there has to be a balance between reducing work disincentives for sole parents and the time they provide for their children.

4.2 Workplace policies and flexibility

This area of meaningful assistance to single-parent families has been thoroughly explored in the part-time work literature. Denier and Dot have examined the phenomenon of involuntary part-time work, contrasting those who would prefer to work longer hours with those who are glad to trade longer hours for more time flexibility. They note the high proportion of the former among single parents, and the existence of institutional barriers to their acquiring more hours of work from the same employer. Using data from the Australian 1995 Survey of Employment, Unemployment and Underemployment, Kalb argues that improved access to variable hours of work could be more beneficial to single parents than any other employment policy initiative. The obvious option for these parents is working longer hours when the other parent is looking after the children. Flexibility in hours of work or leave provisions can allow single parents to better match work and family responsibilities, with marginal changes to the number of hours worked by the other parent having large repercussions for child welfare. Allowing more work to be done from home is another viable option, especially for educated single mothers who have good labour market prospects. Other ways of helping single parents to balance work and family responsibilities involve improving the conditions of part-time work in terms of entitlements to leave and employee benefits. At present, Australian part-time employees receive pro rata entitlements to sick and carer's leave, parental leave and annual leave, with the exception of the recent legislative requirement that twelve months of unpaid parental leave be granted to employees who have been with the same employer for at least twelve months. However, employees are only considered part-time if their weekly hours of work are below the full-time average, measured at around 35 hours. This is at odds with the casual loading in hourly pay rates that is designed to compensate part-time employees for their lack of entitlements to leave and job security. Single parents who work just below this criterion may have to forgo leave entitlements in order to work the necessary hours to support their children. An international study of part-time nurses has found that even when entitlements to leave are equal, those who work on a full-time basis have better perceived health due to the difficulties part-timers face in taking leave when it is spread over many short periods.

4.3 Access to affordable childcare

Children benefit from the social interaction and educational readiness that results from their attendance in quality childcare. Single parents rely on affordable childcare in order to work, attend school or training, and it is essential that all children are able to access quality care and early learning. Despite the growing importance for children to receive some form of early childhood education, cost still remains a significant barrier to access, particularly for low-income single parent families. According to the Canadian Council on Social Development, child care fees for 2006 at a glance indicate that in all 72 cities throughout Canada, the median full-time daycare fee for an infant is higher than the average monthly social assistance benefit for a lone parent. Ranging from a low of $651 in Moncton to a high of $1683 in Toronto, the average monthly child care fees for an infant in a regulated child care facility across Canada was $881. For lone parent families in Canada, child care expenses incurred in order to allow the parent to enter or re-enter the workforce can be deducted from earned income for income tax purposes. The Child Care Expenses Deduction allows for child care expenses to a maximum of $4000 for each child under the age of seven, and $3000 for each child aged 7-16 to be claimed. As well, in Ontario, the new independent child care expense provides increased support to low- to moderate-income families currently receiving child care benefits under the National Child Benefit System and those waiting for child care fee subsidies. By providing approximately $200 per child, per month directly to families, this initiative is designed to provide more child care options by increasing the wage at which child care becomes financially worthwhile. These initiatives undoubtedly help some single parent families afford child care costs, yet high-earning families benefit the most as the deductions reduce taxable income. With no tax relief, this proposed lump-sum payment of $2400 per child only serves to replace other forms of government support for Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients, leaving them no further ahead than those receiving this child care benefits refundable income tax credit for high earners.

Related articles

Sunbeam corporation's financial reporting malpractices.

1. Introduction In the U.S. and around the world, numerous corporate frauds and financial scandals like those of Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, and Adelphia have rocked investor confidence in corporate financial statements. The corporations that were even considered beacons of corporate transparency and financial reporting were embroiled in accounting malpractices, self-dealing transactions, and earnings manipulations. The accounting scandals have undermined investors' confidence in the financial state ...

How bills become laws - 452 Words | Essay Example

1. Introduction How are laws made by our government? And more specifically, how are our nation's laws made? These are the kinds of questions that can really get kids thinking and on their way to becoming future leaders. This is also the time when the different parts of our government are introduced to your students. I remember these units when I was in school. They seem to be much more interesting to your students than the usual curriculum topics, and as a future teacher, I will do my best to m ...

Mitigation of Earthquake Hazards Essay

1. Introduction Numerous earthquakes occur around the world every day, and bursting and collapsing buildings and related fire incidents occur at the quake-hit sites. In structural engineering, buildings are required to have strength, stability, and durability. In the event of an earthquake, buildings are subjected to earthquake ground motion vibrations with excitation characteristics of various periods, and the building structure is called upon to exhibit vibration attenuation properties that c ...

Making the School Environment Safe Essay

1. Introduction It is always important to ensure that the needs of children in communities are taken care of. It is even more important to ensure that schools are a safe haven for them. The safety of these school environments becomes important to the various stakeholders in the educational system. Leaders are faced with the need to create safer school environments where teachers and students can express themselves and conduct learning processes in a harmonious way. More emphasis is placed on th ...

Political Self-Interest vs. Advocacy for Others Research Paper

1. Introduction One of the questions at the forefront of philosophical thinking in general, and of political theory in particular, is to what extent self-interest and self-interest only drive behavior. Many of Plato's well-known dialogues concern characters deciding what to do in various situations and reacting to one suggestion or other by asking, "But what's in it for me?" Things have not changed since the time of the Ancient Greeks. In an election year, there is more focus on what candidates ...

Public Administration as an Academic Discipline Report

1. Introduction Modern public administration emerged in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Western Europe and spread successively to North and South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and elsewhere, with principles, theories, models, and best practices prevailing for a period in regional units, the world as a whole, or their individual countries. Although different practitioners have different views, one belief is certain: public administration as an academic d ...

Understanding Health Inequalities Essay

1. Introduction In this article, the author provides a description of the social determinants of health and the structural mechanisms that produce health and illness inequalities. In other words, why some people are much more likely to live healthier, happier, and longer lives than others. If you already understand why some people are much less likely to be healthy, happy, and long-lived because they are poor, socially excluded, and powerless, you may want to skip this 'Introduction to Health I ...

Right Spokesperson's Role in the Organization Essay

1. Introduction A spokesperson is a person who represents the organization in order to communicate to the different stakeholders, internal/external, the values, strategic intentions, the operation and the functional advantages. The audiences are largely varied, and in its functions implies several activities that require personal abilities. For the perceptions generated by the internal and external audiences, the interviewee must reach the adequate message envelope for the organization who repr ...

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Life Single Parenting

Single Parenting: Growing Up In A Single Parent Family

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Single Parenting: Difficulties and Challenges

Introduction, reason for being a single parent, challenges of a single parent.

A parent who looks after his or her children alone or without the help of the other parent is regarded as a single parent. Nine years ago when I became a single parent to my daughter Dominique, I quickly became aware of the long road ahead of me. Additionally, I had just separated from my husband and I was also moving to America. Although I was aware our lives (me and my daughter) were about to become complicated, I knew we would reap rewards in the end if we worked hard. The love of my daughter was so immense that I could not leave her behind with anyone. With this in mind this paper is therefore going to shed some light on the challenges of my life as a single parent and show how I tried to balance the workplace, parenting responsibilities and college attendance. The paper will then conclude by highlighting the issue of appropriate single parenting.

The main reason why I became a single parent was to concentrate in shaping my future life. This was also the road to the proper upbringing of my daughter who would in return be of benefit to me in my old age. Although my life in Barbados was generally pleasant, I knew I would come to face some difficulties emanating from my marriage. Despite the fact that I was not comfortable in marriage, my separation with my husband was not dramatic. This is in contrast to most separations happening nowadays, so it did not make me lose sight of striving to achieve my goals and moving to America.

Being a single working mother is a very difficult and involved task. Studies show that single motherhood is normally linked with a lot of unconstructive social, behavioral and psychological impacts to the child being brought up. Despite these facts, I made sure I synchronized my parenting responsibilities together with work and attending a part time college appropriately. My schedule became very hectic sometimes because of all the priorities I had to consider. These were some of my major challenges but I always found a way out and in the event I made things work out. I have learned throughout my life not to give up, that is why I handle my entire concerns almost single handedly. Every problem that comes my way, I treat it as a challenge rather than a problem and this keeps me moving.

Even though I am busy most of the time I make sure I give my daughter the necessary attention required. Again, in spite of all this ups and downs I still have amazing support consisting of family and friends. External support together with the hardships of being a single parent, have finally started paying off. This is evident in how well Dominique performs in school; she received honors for her good performance in school while still balancing her after school activities well. In comparison to the life I was living back in Barbados I feel I have benefited a lot from this move. Here I happen to be juggling several responsibilities at a go, which is providing for my daughter, being full a time dental assistant where I have been performing exceptionally and being a part time student with expectations of graduating from a dental hygienist program in 2012. All of these accomplishments to me define the word reward.

The mutual understanding of why there was a separation, made it easier on the relationship which both my ex-husband and I have with my daughter. In order to keep this relationship tight, my daughter visits her father at least once a week and during the summer holidays. My daughter is currently doing well in her studies while I am also excelling in all my endeavors. Therefore as shown in this paper single motherhood is not just an issue which can instill immoral behavior in children being brought up as many people put it? On the contrary when proper parenting practices are embraced children can be brought up with the right characters.

Cite this paper

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2021, December 10). Single Parenting: Difficulties and Challenges. https://studycorgi.com/single-parenting-difficulties-and-challenges/

"Single Parenting: Difficulties and Challenges." StudyCorgi , 10 Dec. 2021, studycorgi.com/single-parenting-difficulties-and-challenges/.

StudyCorgi . (2021) 'Single Parenting: Difficulties and Challenges'. 10 December.

1. StudyCorgi . "Single Parenting: Difficulties and Challenges." December 10, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/single-parenting-difficulties-and-challenges/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "Single Parenting: Difficulties and Challenges." December 10, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/single-parenting-difficulties-and-challenges/.

StudyCorgi . 2021. "Single Parenting: Difficulties and Challenges." December 10, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/single-parenting-difficulties-and-challenges/.

This paper, “Single Parenting: Difficulties and Challenges”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: December 25, 2021 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

• Tools and Resources
• Customer Services
• Addictions and Substance Use
• Administration and Management
• Aging and Older Adults
• Biographies
• Children and Adolescents
• Clinical and Direct Practice
• Couples and Families
• Criminal Justice
• Disabilities
• Ethics and Values
• Gender and Sexuality
• Health Care and Illness
• Human Behavior
• International and Global Issues
• Macro Practice
• Mental and Behavioral Health
• Policy and Advocacy
• Populations and Practice Settings
• Race, Ethnicity, and Culture
• Religion and Spirituality
• Research and Evidence-Based Practice
• Social Justice and Human Rights
• Social Work Profession
• Share This Facebook LinkedIn Twitter

Article contents

Single parents.

• Virginia C. Strand Virginia C. Strand Fordham University
• https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.359
• Published online: 11 June 2013

Between 1990 and 2003, the single-parent family continued to emerge as a major family form in the United States. Individuals come to single parenthood through different routes (divorce, separation, birth outside of marriage, widowhood, and adoption). And most of them are women. Intervention implications are framed in terms of primary, secondary, and tertiary strategies. Increasing family benefits and child care provisions are highlighted as well as strategies for preventing teen pregnancy, increasing access to educational and entry to the work force for low-income women, and identifying mothers early on in the process of marital disruption.

• single mothers
• teen pregnancy
• workforce entry
• homeless and abused women
• mothers in child welfare

You do not currently have access to this article

Please login to access the full content.

Access to the full content requires a subscription

Printed from Encyclopedia of Social Work. Under the terms of the licence agreement, an individual user may print out a single article for personal use (for details see Privacy Policy and Legal Notice).

date: 14 May 2024

• Cookie Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Legal Notice
• Accessibility
• [66.249.64.20|195.158.225.244]
• 195.158.225.244

Character limit 500 /500

• Environment
• Information Science
• Social Issues
• Argumentative
• Cause and Effect
• Classification
• Compare and Contrast
• Descriptive
• Exemplification
• Informative
• Controversial
• Exploratory
• What Is an Essay
• Length of an Essay
• Generate Ideas
• Types of Essays
• Structuring an Essay
• Outline For Essay
• Essay Introduction
• Thesis Statement
• Body of an Essay
• Writing a Conclusion
• Essay Writing Tips
• Drafting an Essay
• Revision Process
• Fix a Broken Essay
• Format of an Essay
• Essay Examples
• Essay Checklist
• Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Research Paper
• Write My Research Paper
• Write My Essay
• Custom Essay Writing Service
• Admission Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Essay
• Academic Ghostwriting
• Write My Book Report
• Case Study Writing Service
• Dissertation Writing Service
• Coursework Writing Service
• Lab Report Writing Service
• Do My Assignment
• Buy College Papers
• Capstone Project Writing Service
• Buy Research Paper
• Custom Essays for Sale

Can’t find a perfect paper?

• Free Essay Samples
• Single Parenting

Essays on Single Parenting

The problem of single parenting is very widespread and complex, so writing a single parenting essay about it will help with better understanding and will give you the opportunity to collect and express your thoughts. Single parenting essays tell us that there are a large number of single-parent families. It is very difficult to raise and support a child alone – physically, financially, and mentally. Samples of essays on single parenting reveal that in single-parent families child often don't get enough attention and feel neglected. Also, single-parent children don't get a healthy family image or learn as much about relationships, making it harder for them to build their own family in the future. Peruse our single parenting essay samples – the best ones are below. Know that we are here to help you out with your essay as well.

Effects of Divorce on Children When two people marry, they are publicly declaring that they are loyal to each other before death. Starting a family together strengthens the relationship and allows it to be completed as a full family unit. Unfortunately, certain things do not turn out, and marriages end in...

Words: 1158

For most families today, single parenthood was common. The majority of solitary childcare is for women or more for mothers. One parent raises a child without the other parent s support. Research shows that one out of two children in the United States are raised in a single family before 18...

Words: 1800

Found a perfect essay sample but want a unique one?

Request writing help from expert writer in you feed!

In 1993 Valerie Polakow wrote Lives on the Verge to deal with the plight of single mothers and their children in the "other" America. The term "other America" is used to indicate that in America there are two classes: the other America and the rest of the world. The "other"...

Related topic to Single Parenting

You might also like.

• Science & Math
• Sociology & Philosophy
• Law & Politics

Essay on Single Parenting: Two Parents Or One?

• Essay on Single Parenting: Two…

Family life is much different today than what it used to be. Several years ago mothers would stay at home with their children while the father went to work to support his family, but it is nothing like that today in American households.

Today it is common for children to be raised by just one of their parents, and those children are often disadvantaged in several ways. The most consistent finding from studies of family structure shows that single parents exert weaker controls and make fewer demands on their children than married families do (Curtin et al. 368). There is a real easy explanation for this problem, it is the simple fact that two parents together make more rules and are more likely to stick by those rules than single parents are (Curtin et al. 368).

Single parents are not able to show the same emotions as married couples can because the love between a mother and a father plays an important part in a family. Children learn how to love from their parents, but if both parents are not there to teach them how to love, their love might be somewhat one-sided (Curtin et al. 371).

Yes, single parents can show their love toward their children, but they have no spouse to express love to. Children from single-parent families are therefore denied the learning experience of how a husband and a wife should love one another (Curtin et al. 369).

Relationships are another thing that everyone needs, especially children. Children need a real strong relationship between themselves and their parents, but children from single-parent families are usually denied this privilege because they are separated from one of their parents and often do not get to spend adequate time with the other.

Children who have a strong relationship with their parents are more likely to respect the authority of their parents (Curtin et al. 370). The problem with a single parent is the fact that usually, the single parent does not have the time to help the child develop a close relationship with them.

Another problem is how a child can build a strong relationship with a parent they do not live with and often do not see on a regular basis. The simple fact is that children need both of their parents in the household to build a close relationship with and to teach them to respect the parent’s authority. True, not all children from two-parent households have close relationships with their parents, but it is much more likely.

Gender also plays an important role in families. Men and women have very different characteristics, both emotionally and physically. These different characteristics contribute to their roles as mothers and fathers (Curtin et al. 369). For instance, men are normally much stronger physically than women and are therefore able to do many things around the house that a woman cannot.

Women are much more likely to do the everyday household chores while the man does the heavy-duty work. Women usually tend more to the children when they need things than do the men, and also help them more with emotional type problems (Curtin et al. 369). So it is easy to see why having both parents in the household makes a much more well-rounded family atmosphere.

When both parents are not in the household, children experience a great deal of stress from different aspects of their lives. This stress often comes from children who are forced into independence and self-reliance before they are mature enough to cope (“Children” 58).

Many single parents leave their children at home or send them to low-quality daycare centers while they are at work, causing stress on the children (“Children” 60). Yes, two-parent families often leave their children at home or send them to low-quality daycares, but studies show that it is ten times more likely to happen in single-parent families (“Children” 59).

Another time that brings a great deal of stress to single-parent homes is the holidays. The holidays are a time when families should be together. Single parents may not be able to provide this for their children (“Holidays” 3). Another problem that arises during the holidays is that of gift competition between the parents (“Holidays” 3). The problem with the parents competing over who gets the best gift is the fact that the children often feel as if the parents want to buy their love instead of earning it by showing them love.

Children of single-parent homes also face stress by always worrying about everything that is going on in their lives. According to Richard Kinsey single-parent children worried more about school, family, future, finding work, crime, and their environment by a large margin (16). However, the biggest worry of these children was about their own personal loves and what was going to happen to them as they grew up (Kinsey 16).

Richard Kinsey also did a survey on crimes committed by children in both two-parent homes and single-parent homes. He found that children in two-parent homes self-reported committing crimes at a rate of 59%, but children from single-parent homes self-reported committing crimes at a rate of 74% (16). This survey gives a strong emphasis on how important the respect of authority is for children. It also showed how children from single-parent homes are more likely to commit crimes than children from two-parent homes.

Single-parent homes not only reflect or cause stress upon children but also upon the parent. Single mothers especially feel stress when a father figure is not present (Allen et al. 390). According to the survey done by Katherine Allen and Peggy Quinn, seventy percent of the single mothers reported that they always worried about money (390).

Not only was money a big issue, but also time and energy (392). These single mothers are put under pressure from about every aspect of their lives, and without a husband there to help raise a family, pay the bills, and show them love, the single mother must nearly feel hopeless.

Another big stress for single mothers is the fact that now they have the responsibility of two parents (Allen et al. 392). One woman describes how she felt: “And on the weekends then, mow the yard, and clean the house, and wash the clothes.

When you get done doing that, it’s Monday all over again” (Allen et al. 392). Most parents from two-parent homes realize the responsibility they have and the stress that they face with a spouse there to support them, but just imagine that spouse not being there to help support and help with the responsibilities of the family and that is exactly what it is like to be a single parent.

Now we have seen the pressures that single mothers face, but what about single fathers because there are many of them in the world today. One example can be found in the article ” A Singular Experience,” by Brad Andrews. Andrews himself is a single father and he discusses the overwhelming responsibilities of being a single father (8). He now has to do all of the household chores and take care of the children all by himself.

He can no longer play catch with his son after dinner because now he has to do the dishes (8). These single-parent situations create instability and do not provide a positive environment for children to grow up in. Both a father and a mother are needed to create a stable environment and a positive place for children to live.

Another example is the article “Single Fathers With Custody” by Alfred DeMaris and Geoffrey Grief. DeMaris and Grief explain the fact that single fathers experience the same worries and overwhelming responsibilities that single mothers do. Fathers face financial worries, pressures from work, and pressure of time for themselves and their children (DeMaris et al. 260).

The simple fact is that being a single parent is a very difficult task, whether it is a single father or a single mother. A family consists of a father and a mother with their children, not just one parent. Single-parent homes create a lot of stress and worries on the parent as well as the children, and the stress and worries are not needed by either. After all, it takes two to make a child; it should take two to raise a child.

Related Posts

• Essay: Is Daycare Good for Children or not?
• Essay: Issues of Surrogate Parenting
• Essay: The Drawbacks of Single Gender Schools
• Essay Analysis Structure
• Different Types of Parents

Author:  William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)

Tutor and Freelance Writer. Science Teacher and Lover of Essays. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2024 | Creative Commons 4.0

This was definitely written by a teenager that lives with two parents.

You do not know that, I’ve lived with one parents all my life and some of these things I would agree with.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Post comment

• Subject List
• Take a Tour
• For Authors
• Subscriber Services
• Publications
• African American Studies
• African Studies
• American Literature
• Anthropology
• Architecture Planning and Preservation
• Art History
• Atlantic History
• Biblical Studies
• British and Irish Literature
• Childhood Studies
• Chinese Studies
• Cinema and Media Studies
• Communication
• Criminology
• Environmental Science
• Evolutionary Biology
• International Law
• International Relations
• Islamic Studies
• Jewish Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Latino Studies
• Linguistics
• Literary and Critical Theory
• Medieval Studies
• Military History
• Political Science
• Public Health
• Renaissance and Reformation
• Social Work
• Urban Studies
• Victorian Literature
• Browse All Subjects

How to Subscribe

• Free Trials

In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Single Parents in Context

Introduction.

• Research Overviews
• Child Well-Being
• Diverging Destinies
• Life-Course Perspective
• Working Poor
• Work-Life Balance
• Family Policy
• Active Labor Market Policy
• Redistributive Policy
• Child Support
• Policy Debates
• Shared Parenting
• Methodological Innovations
• Global Perspectives

Related Articles Expand or collapse the "related articles" section about

About related articles close popup.

Lorem Ipsum Sit Dolor Amet

Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae; Aliquam ligula odio, euismod ut aliquam et, vestibulum nec risus. Nulla viverra, arcu et iaculis consequat, justo diam ornare tellus, semper ultrices tellus nunc eu tellus.

• Contemporary Family Issues
• LGBT Parenting and Family Formation
• Marriage and Divorce
• Postmodern Families
• Sexualities

Other Subject Areas

Forthcoming articles expand or collapse the "forthcoming articles" section.

• Consumer Credit and Debt
• Economic Globalization
• Global Inequalities
• Find more forthcoming articles...
• Export Citations
• Share This Facebook LinkedIn Twitter

Single Parents in Context by Laurie C. Maldonado , Rense Nieuwenhuis LAST REVIEWED: 24 April 2019 LAST MODIFIED: 24 April 2019 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199756384-0220

One of the most pressing challenges of single-parent families is the concern for their socioeconomic well-being. Single-parent families are more likely to be poor than two-parent families, and there is growing concern about the rising inequality among family types. Much research has focused on how children fare in single-parent families and whether or not they are at a disadvantage. However, concerns are not limited to children living in single-parent families, but also to single parents themselves. Single parenthood is strongly gendered: single parents are mostly mothers, and they therefore experience unequal opportunities and gender discrimination in the labor market. This bibliography addresses the key issues and debates related to single-parent families. Rather than promoting a single argument, it introduces the reader to a number of different perspectives, without taking a position on one perspective over the other. As the single-parent literature is broad and expanding rapidly, it is difficult to cover all aspects of single parenthood. Instead, this bibliography focuses on single-parent families in context . It covers how individual characteristics of single parents, such as their resources and education, shape aspects of their well-being. Yet the main focus is on how their well-being is also shaped by their socioeconomic and institutional context. How do employment and policy affect the lives of single parents and their children? The bibliography uses a comparative focus to examine the research on single-parent families across countries. Hence, it does not include all publications that address single parenthood, such as the social psychological aspects, but rather it examines the literature that best captures how single parents are doing in the context of the institutions and policies that surround them. This bibliography on “Single Parents in Context” is structured in six major sections. First, a broad overview of the literature is provided in the section on General Contributions This covers what can be considered Classics in the literature, and prior Research Overviews . The second section deals with aspects of the Socioeconomic Well-Being of single parents and their families, including Poverty , Child Well-Being , and Stigma . The next major sections (a substantial part of the bibliography) cover explanations for the often impaired well-being among single-parent families. These sections include resource-based, employment-based, and policy-based explanations. Resource-Based Explanations focus on individual characteristics of the single parents themselves, and include the debate regarding the important Diverging Destinies and Life-Course Perspective . Diverging Destinies suggests that single-parent families are increasingly common among those with lower socioeconomic resources, such as education. Life-Course Perspective discusses the dynamic process of single parenthood over the life course, such as transitions into and out of single parenthood. Employment-Based Explanations examine to what extent, and under which conditions, a job can be a means to improve single parents’ well-being. Employment is indeed important, because in some contexts single parents are employed but remain in poverty—considered the Working Poor . Additionally, single parents face particular challenges in terms of Work-Life Balance and negotiating the demands of work and family. Most importantly, this bibliography covers a wide range of policies and emphasizes various Policy-Based Explanations . Family Policy facilitates maternal employment and, increasingly, paternal care, as well as providing financial transfers to families with children. Active Labor Market Policy represents those policies that are often in the form of services, such as job placement and training. Such policy seeks to facilitate the employment of the inactive and unemployed. Redistributive Policy typically provides income transfers to help families financially sustain themselves. This is support from the social safety net in the form of cash assistance such as housing, food, and child benefit. Naturally, there is overlap between policy types, but family policy for families with children warrants a specific focus. There is also a focus on Child Support , which is a set of policies that regulates financial transfers among households of separated parents. This is followed by Policy Debates , a discussion that emphasizes the key debates around the design and implementation of policy for single-parent families. The final major section, Research Frontiers , lays out the frontiers in single-parent research. It highlights the potential major challenges and opportunities for research in years to come. These areas include Shared Parenting , Methodological Innovations , and Global Perspectives on what works for single parents and their families.

General Contributions

General contributions includes Classics and Research Overviews on single parenthood. Classic literature covers cornerstone pieces that have significantly contributed to shaping the field. These pieces stand out and many have stirred debates in the literature that are still present today. The research overviews provide a summary of important areas in the comparative literature on single-parent families.

back to top

Users without a subscription are not able to see the full content on this page. Please subscribe or login .

Oxford Bibliographies Online is available by subscription and perpetual access to institutions. For more information or to contact an Oxford Sales Representative click here .

• About Sociology »
• Meet the Editorial Board »
• Actor-Network Theory
• Adolescence
• African Americans
• African Societies
• Agent-Based Modeling
• Analysis, Spatial
• Analysis, World-Systems
• Anomie and Strain Theory
• Arab Spring, Mobilization, and Contentious Politics in the...
• Asian Americans
• Assimilation
• Authority and Work
• Bell, Daniel
• Biosociology
• Bourdieu, Pierre
• Catholicism
• Causal Inference
• Chicago School of Sociology
• Chinese Cultural Revolution
• Chinese Society
• Citizenship
• Civil Rights
• Civil Society
• Cognitive Sociology
• Cohort Analysis
• Collective Efficacy
• Collective Memory
• Comparative Historical Sociology
• Comte, Auguste
• Conflict Theory
• Conservatism
• Consumer Culture
• Consumption
• Contingent Work
• Conversation Analysis
• Corrections
• Cosmopolitanism
• Crime, Cities and
• Cultural Capital
• Cultural Classification and Codes
• Cultural Economy
• Cultural Omnivorousness
• Cultural Production and Circulation
• Culture and Networks
• Culture, Sociology of
• Development
• Discrimination
• Doing Gender
• Du Bois, W.E.B.
• Durkheim, Émile
• Economic Institutions and Institutional Change
• Economic Sociology
• Education and Health
• Education Policy in the United States
• Educational Policy and Race
• Empires and Colonialism
• Entrepreneurship
• Environmental Sociology
• Epistemology
• Ethnic Enclaves
• Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis
• Exchange Theory
• Families, Postmodern
• Family Policies
• Feminist Theory
• Field, Bourdieu's Concept of
• Forced Migration
• Foucault, Michel
• Frankfurt School
• Gender and Bodies
• Gender and Crime
• Gender and Education
• Gender and Health
• Gender and Incarceration
• Gender and Professions
• Gender and Social Movements
• Gender and Work
• Gender Pay Gap
• Gender, Sexuality, and Migration
• Gender Stratification
• Gender, Welfare Policy and
• Gendered Sexuality
• Gentrification
• Gerontology
• Globalization and Labor
• Goffman, Erving
• Historic Preservation
• Human Trafficking
• Immigration
• Indian Society, Contemporary
• Institutions
• Intellectuals
• Intersectionalities
• Interview Methodology
• Job Quality
• Knowledge, Critical Sociology of
• Labor Markets
• Latino/Latina Studies
• Law and Society
• Law, Sociology of
• LGBT Social Movements
• Life Course
• Lipset, S.M.
• Markets, Conventions and Categories in
• Marxist Sociology
• Masculinity
• Mass Incarceration in the United States and its Collateral...
• Material Culture
• Mathematical Sociology
• Medical Sociology
• Mental Illness
• Methodological Individualism
• Middle Classes
• Military Sociology
• Money and Credit
• Multiculturalism
• Multilevel Models
• Multiracial, Mixed-Race, and Biracial Identities
• Nationalism
• Non-normative Sexuality Studies
• Occupations and Professions
• Organizations
• Panel Studies
• Parsons, Talcott
• Political Culture
• Political Economy
• Political Sociology
• Popular Culture
• Proletariat (Working Class)
• Protestantism
• Public Opinion
• Public Space
• Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)
• Race and Sexuality
• Race and Violence
• Race and Youth
• Race in Global Perspective
• Race, Organizations, and Movements
• Rational Choice
• Relationships
• Religion and the Public Sphere
• Residential Segregation
• Revolutions
• Role Theory
• Rural Sociology
• Scientific Networks
• Secularization
• Sequence Analysis
• Sex versus Gender
• Sexual Identity
• Sexuality Across the Life Course
• Simmel, Georg
• Single Parents in Context
• Small Cities
• Social Capital
• Social Change
• Social Closure
• Social Construction of Crime
• Social Control
• Social Darwinism
• Social Disorganization Theory
• Social Epidemiology
• Social History
• Social Indicators
• Social Mobility
• Social Movements
• Social Network Analysis
• Social Networks
• Social Policy
• Social Problems
• Social Psychology
• Social Stratification
• Social Theory
• Socialization, Sociological Perspectives on
• Sociolinguistics
• Sociological Approaches to Character
• Sociological Research on the Chinese Society
• Sociological Research, Qualitative Methods in
• Sociological Research, Quantitative Methods in
• Sociology, History of
• Sociology of Manners
• Sociology of Music
• Sociology of War, The
• Suburbanism
• Survey Methods
• Symbolic Boundaries
• Symbolic Interactionism
• The Division of Labor after Durkheim
• Tilly, Charles
• Time Use and Childcare
• Time Use and Time Diary Research
• Tourism, Sociology of
• Transnational Adoption
• Unions and Inequality
• Urban Ethnography
• Urban Growth Machine
• Urban Inequality in the United States
• Veblen, Thorstein
• Visual Arts, Music, and Aesthetic Experience
• Wallerstein, Immanuel
• Welfare, Race, and the American Imagination
• Welfare States
• Women’s Employment and Economic Inequality Between Househo...
• Work and Employment, Sociology of
• Work/Life Balance
• Workplace Flexibility
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Legal Notice
• Accessibility

Powered by:

• [66.249.64.20|195.158.225.244]
• 195.158.225.244

• Infertility
• Miscarriage & Loss
• Pre-Pregnancy Shopping Guides
• Diapering Essentials
• Bedtime & Bathtime
• Baby Clothing
• Health & Safety
• First Trimester
• Second Trimester
• Third Trimester
• Pregnancy Products
• Baby Names By Month
• Popular Baby Names
• Unique Baby Names
• Labor & Delivery
• Birth Stories
• Fourth Trimester
• Parental Leave
• Postpartum Products
• Sleep Guides & Schedules
• Feeding Guides & Schedules
• Milestone Guides
• Learn & Play
• Beauty & Style Shopping Guides
• Meal Planning & Shopping
• Entertaining
• Personal Essays
• Home Shopping Guides
• Work & Motherhood
• Family Finances & Budgeting
• Viral & Trending
• Celebrity News
• Women’s Health
• Children’s Health
• It’s Science
• Mental Health
• Health & Wellness Shopping Guide
• What To Read
• What To Watch
• Mother’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Summer prep
• Single Parenting
• Blended Families
• Community & Friendship
• Marriage & Partnerships
• Grandparents & Extended Families
• Stretch Mark Cream
• Pregnancy Pillows
• Maternity Pajamas
• Maternity Workout Clothes
• Compression Socks
• All Pregnancy Products
• Pikler Triangles
• Toddler Sleep Sacks
• Toddler Scooters
• Water Tables
• All Toddler Products
• Breastmilk Coolers
• Postpartum Pajamas
• Postpartum Underwear
• Postpartum Shapewear
• All Postpartum Products
• Kid Pajamas
• Play Couches
• Kids’ Backpacks
• Kids’ Bikes
• Kids’ Travel Gear
• All Child Products
• Baby Swaddles
• Eco-Friendly Diapers
• Baby Bathtubs
• All Baby Products
• Pregnancy-safe Skincare
• Diaper Bags
• Maternity Jeans
• Matching Family Swimwear
• Mama Necklaces
• All Beauty and Style Products
• All Classes
• Free Classes By Motherly
• Parenting & Family Topics
• Toddler Topics
• TTC & Pregnancy
• Wellness & Fitness

• Please wait..

Being a single mom is the hardest, most empowering thing I’ve ever done

It isn’t easy—but it does teach you how strong you are.

By Sydney Hutt Updated April 27, 2022

When I told my own mother that my husband and I were splitting up , the first thing she asked me was, “Are you sure?” She’d raised my three siblings and I almost single-handedly and insisted that it was “the hardest thing she’s ever done.”

However, I didn’t take her worries too seriously. At the time, I was so jazzed on the idea of independence, too busy scream-singing The Pussycat Dolls’ “I Don’t Need a Man” in the shower that I regarded my mom’s advice about being a single mom as a bridge for Future Sydney to cross.

Related: To the mama just starting the co-parenting journey: The handoffs were the hardest part for me

Well, that future came soon enough. Once I was on my own, I realized that even if I’d already felt like I was doing 90 percent of the parenting and cleaning and general household running many of us moms take upon ourselves, that 10 percent made a huge difference.

1. It’s so much harder than I thought it would be

My husband and I had a routine where he would do the kids’ bath and put them to bed so I could get a break after he got home from work. After he moved out, suddenly that was completely on me, no matter how burned-out I felt .

And not only was I doing all the work during the day, but then once they were asleep there was no one there to help me clean up the hurricane-house, or fold the endless baskets of laundry or to remember to turn the dishwasher on before bed. There was no one to get up with the kids in the middle of the night either, to help soothe their tears, or put them on the toilet , or give out Tylenol for sudden fevers or scrub puke out of the carpet. No one to pick up the prescriptions or forgotten groceries, to catch the things I’d dropped or missed. I’m not going to pretend I wasn’t overwhelmed at first.

2. It’s empowering

Last week, after I killed the second spider I’d found in my house in a matter of days, I sent my mom a triumphant text bragging about my courage. After all, I’d always been able to shriek and have a man rush to crush whatever creepy-crawly had sent me fleeing onto the furniture. In response, my mom texted me back: “Living alone is empowering because it’s not easy.”

And that’s the truth: Being forced to rely entirely on myself for the first time since I was 20 has caused me take on a level of responsibility that’s ultimately made me much, much happier (though also more wrinkly).

3. It’s lonely

One thing I really didn’t expect was the intense isolation that comes with being a single mom. When you’re married, you’re often so used to your partner’s constant presence that you can crave having the house to yourself—an evening alone seems like bliss from a distance.

But quickly I discovered that aaaall that quiet was a huge adjustment. After I put the kids down each night, I was forced to face the long, empty hours before bed that seemed impossible to fill without a companion. The silence was unnerving, and I fantasized about moving into my mom’s house where I could be sure of conversation. But I resisted, and recently, amazingly, I’ve noticed that for the first time ever I’m actually learning how to be alone—and loving it too! But, the odd time I do want to go out…

Related: Motherhood can be lonely, but I want my child to understand the importance of community

4. It’s really tough to get a night away

When I was still married, after my husband got home I’d often take off to the grocery store solo. I’d take my time and stroll down the aisles, pushing my cart like I was a celebrity and they’d closed the store just for me. Sometimes I’d stop by a friends’ house for wine and child-free conversation or go for a drive just to enjoy not reaching backwards groping blindly for a toy as nursery rhymes blare through the speakers. Now that I live alone, I’ve lost that free child-minding a marriage partner offers, and I spend more evenings on the couch yelling at MasterChef Canada than I’d like to admit.

5. The time off isn’t really “off”

Most Friday nights, my ex will swing by and pick up our kids so they can spend the weekend with him. He brings them back on Sundays, meaning I have about one full day without them. Initially, I had ALL the feelings about this arrangement. (What would I do with so much free time?!)

But it turns out, that day off is usually just me catching up on the things I didn’t get a chance to do during the week−a list that is now much longer than it used to be.

Related: What do moms do on their days off? Work

6. You compromise more

There is one fewer parent to go around now and my kids definitely feel it. They act out more than they used to and it seems they’re very aware of the fact that they outnumber me. I’m also unable now to give them each as much of that all-important individual time they enjoyed before my husband and I split. The guilt about this can weigh pretty heavy at times, but I’m learning to recognize that while I’m not giving my girls everything, I really am doing the best I can—and that has to be good enough.

Related: 10 ways to get past conflict with your co-parent

7. You compromise less

Marriage is all about compromise, whether it’s agreeing on paint colors, or household chores or how to spend your money. Since I’ve moved out on my own, I’ve discovered that there is absolute liberation in not having to consider anyone else’s opinion.

My bedroom is the girliest it’s been since I was a teenager, I have books stacked in every corner of my house and if I don’t want to wash the dishes at the end of the night I really don’t have to. My home is entirely mine and it’s a freedom I plan on savoring, along with sleeping smack-dab in the center of the bed and hogging every last pillow.

8. You begin extreme vetting of potential partners

With all this independence and empowerment, I’ve become very unwilling to give up or even share my new life with anyone. I’m being cautious. I’m wary of needing someone too much, of leaning on them instead of myself—it would probably be an easy habit to slide back into. And even now that I am seeing someone, I’ve set serious limits, most of which equal moving about as fast as frozen molasses in terms of how much time and space I’ll devote to our relationship.

I’m not looking for someone to take back that 10 percent and make my life easier—after all, it’s the tough stuff that reminds me what I’m made of.

A version of this story was published July 16, 2017. It has been updated

Related Stories

Motherly Stories

Sometimes mother’s day is complicated—just like motherhood.

How AI can be a parenting tool for teachable moments

Toddler Health

Gentle ways to wean off the pacifier or thumb-sucking, from a pediatric dentist.

Barre with a C-section scar: My body may be different—but it’s stronger than ever

Mother’s day without a mom is hard, but i don’t regret going no-contact with my toxic mom, our editors also recommend....

The Single-Parent Family

Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

A single parent is someone who is unmarried, widowed, or divorced and not remarried. The single-parent household can be headed by a mother, a father, a grandparent, an uncle, or aunt. According to the Pew Research Center, between 25 to 30 percent of children under age 18 in the U.S. live in a single-parent household. The U.S. Census reports that roughly 22 million children live with a single parent. And three times as many women, when compared with men, head these households .

On This Page

• The Well-Being of Children in a Single-Parent Household
• The Challenges of Single-Parent Families
• Raising Kids as a Single Parent

Single parents should be reassured by the fact that a large number of studies find no differences between the children of single mothers and children from other types of households. One study looked into the lives of children from different kinds of households—two-parent biological, adoptive, step-father, step-mother, single-parent—and the type of household did not matter. Children’s grades, and their relationships with their siblings and their friends, were about the same across all households. In a survey of adolescents living in nine types of households, those who lived with parents who had always been single and who were being raised in multi-generational households reported the highest sense of well-being of all those surveyed.

In studies as well as many reports from children themselves, children are better off raised by a single parent as opposed to living with married parents who engage in constant conflict. Children raised by one divorced parent sometimes have better outcomes than children raised by a parent who is remarried. It is impossible to predict a child's outcome based on this one factor alone. 

Yes. Every situation involves trade-offs, and they often go unrecognized at the time. In a common refrain, the grown child of a single, working mom reported that he was glad that his mom was busy all the time. His friends, by contrast, had moms who stayed at home. These parents were hyper-involved in their lives, including their schoolwork and schedules. This overbearing participation produced problems between parent and child.

Yes, but this is a risk for married parents as well. Some parents rely too heavily on a child for emotional support. These individuals become enmeshed with their child because of their own low self-esteem, loneliness, neediness, insecurity, or other similar reasons. These parents lack boundaries, preferring to be a best friend rather than a parent.

The vast majority of the children of single parents flourish at home and in later life. In a national survey of substance abuse among more than 22,000 adolescents from different kinds of households, the rate of substance abuse among the children of single parents was 5.7 percent, and the rate for the children of married parents was 4.5%. 

Not at all. More often, the children of single parents defy all stereotypes . If problems arise, they likely already existed when a child's parents were married or arise independent of the household configuration. These children were struggling in their nuclear family. Researchers who followed children of married parents for more than a decade, not knowing in advance whether the parents would stay married or divorce, found that among the children whose parents did divorce and who had problems, their difficulties began at a young age.

Children need a safe and reliable household to flourish. Of course, it is much harder for single-parents who live with financial hardship. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that nearly 11 million people are considered working poor. The definition of working poor is an individual who spends 27 weeks or more in the workforce, this person is working or looking for work, yet their income is below the poverty level. And according to the U.S. Census, single moms are one of the most disadvantaged groups—with nearly 30 percent living in poverty. Many of these single moms cannot provide for their families as they often have lower-paying jobs.

Being the sole parent of a household may mean you are the boss, free of quarrels over money and finance. That’s great, but according to research, it costs $234,000 to raise a child . This price tag impacts the high risk of financial hardship.

This should not be a source of concern or guilt, even though it often is. Children of mothers who return to work while the children are infants and toddlers, fare the same behaviorally and academically compared with children whose mothers stay home. In one study, kids from single-parent families , whose mothers worked, had better academic scores and fewer behavioral problems than did children whose mothers did not work.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that at two years after the breakup of their family, nearly 50 percent of children who live with their mother do not see their father regularly. Many fathers are often shortchanged by custody arrangements. However, a father showing interest and being involved with his children is a huge plus for all. One way to help this along: Help your ex. Pick up the children from school, attend their functions, and cheer them on at games--this involvement can make a difference. Helping your ex will help you. By being an involved father, you and your kids will find ways to spend more time together.

To raise successful children in any family configuration, stability and security matter. Single parents can help ensure such an environment by developing a supportive network of friends, relatives, and neighbors. People who care. For those with extreme financial hardship, there are resources in your community including assistance for housing, food, and healthcare for children, depending on income and other criteria. 

To raise thriving children, a single parent must juggle many aspects of life, the household, work demands, finances, among many other concerns. All parents face similar obstacles, but the challenge for a single-parent is greater.

Set house rules with your kids.

Give undivided attention to each child, even a daily 10-minute one-one conversation will help.

Set boundaries, boundaries, boundaries.

Be consistent and fair, always.

Kids need schedules and routines (sounds boring, but it works).

Lower your expectations, and do away with any ideas of perfection.

Lose your sense of guilt, victimhood, and martyrdom.

Ignore judgmental people.

You need support through good childcare, friends, family, neighbors.

If possible, get along with your ex. (To do so, you need to get over yourself.)

Apply self-care daily, eat right, exercise, sleep, meditate. (If you do not have time, make the time.)

If you need therapy, a good family therapist will help.

When all else fails, negotiating an agreement with a mediator can provide guardrails for a fractured sibling relationship, opening a conversation for future possibilities.

A Personal Perspective: So many childhood recollections began and ended with my father’s coffee and his teaching me to love this beverage.

Are you and your partner destined for happily ever after? Here's how to tell.

These "scapegoats" are often the most resilient, courageous, and admirable members of their families.

Mother's Day can be difficult when your mother has passed. Use the day to celebrate her memory, take stock of your own life, enjoy your siblings, and give back to the world.

There's a lot of buzz about parent/adult estrangement out there even though it is not a new phenomenon. A look at the dynamics of reconciliation.

Here's how to navigating Mother's Day with love when you've lost your mother or experienced abuse, abandonment, or parentification.

Personal Perspective: Motherhood is complex, requiring an ability to adapt and shift with the times, whether we like it or not.

Explore the complexities of hospice care. From treatment to physician engagement, discover essential considerations for an empowered end-of-life journey.

Minimize children's stress by considering their age, the relationship and level of conflict between the parents, and the distance between the two homes.

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Online Therapy
• United States
• Brooklyn, NY
• Chicago, IL
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Portland, OR
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, DC
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Therapy Center NEW
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.

• Emotional Intelligence
• Gaslighting
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Family — Single Parenting

Essays on Single Parenting

Being a single parent, the impact of single parenting on a child's behavior, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Single Parent Struggle: Why Single Parenting is not Worse than Two-parents Family

Troubles that single parent face with, a discussion on the increasing number of single parenting in the united states, growing up in a single parent family, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

How Growing Up Without a Father Affects The Child

Teenage pregnancy and parenting: high school considerations, challenges and opportunities, being a single mother: the reality and challenges they face, being raised by a single mother: personal experience, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

My Mom is a Single Parent: Personal Experience

The impact of growing up in a single-parent household, life without a mother: challenges and resilience, the life of single mothers: difficulties and joyful moments, single mothers: navigating a complex journey, challenges and triumphs of single parent struggles, relevant topics.

• International Adoption
• Happy Marriage
• Traditional Family Roles

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free