The Effects of Single Parenting

Single parents endure a lot of stress raising children in today’s society. Positive things are never

discussed. Is it because single parenting is considered in

this society lower class? Our constitution speaks about

our rights as a citizen and nowhere in the constitution

does it state that single parenting is illegal, lower

class or un-human (Mitter 1992).

There are various reasons why single parenting occurs. A

person may want to be single and have a child by opting to

adopt or artificial insemination but majority of single

parent form homes by unforeseeable occurrences such as

sudden deaths or abandonment by a parent. Approximately,

One third of the family populations are growing with just

a single parent (Bates 1992). Regardless if the single parent’s race or gender,

being a single parenting is difficult job. Making sure

that a child is taught properly in all areas is a task

that all single parents fear. To believe that your

children’s success and foundation comes solely from that

one parent, is a thought that hunts a single parents

thoughts. Bates (1992) suggested that keeping a family in

strong Christian faith strengthens parent-child bonds. At

times, that’s the only thing a person can really lend on.

Purpose of Study

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of

single parenting.

Research Questions In preparing a study on this issue, key questions

should be asked. They are as follows:

 Do single parents have time to spend with their children?
 Are single parents the source of income for their families?
 Are single parents limited in dating and other social and social activities?
 Are single parents conceived more negatively than parents with mates?
 Are there fewer arguments within single parent homes?
 Are children in single parent homes more independent than most children or more likely to get involved in misbehavior?
 Is there a closer bond with single parents and their children than parents with mates?

Definition of Terms

Single Parent Family: A family consist of only the

mother or the father and one or more dependent children.

Divorce: To end marriage with (one’s spouse) by way of

legal divorce.

Stress: A mentally or emotionally disruptive or

upsetting condition occuring in response to adverse

external influences and capable of affecting physical

health.

Disappointment: A feeling of dissatisfaction that

results when your expectations are not realized. Balance: A stable mental or psychological state or

emotional stability to develop a harmonious or satisfying

arrangement or proportions of parts or elements, as in a

design.

Single Parent Support groups: Organizations that allow

single parents to meet new friends with similar challenges

while expanding the opportunities for their children

through sharing ideas and support to over come obstacles

with the help of extended family of other caring parents.

Responsible: Able to make moral or rational decisions on

one’s own and answerable for own behavior.

Chapter II

Review of Literature

This review of literature will be an examination of

studies on single parenting. The studies viewed in this

section are related to the ups and downs of single

parenting during their everyday routines.

Bernstein, J. (1995) interviewed with a man named Charles

Murray about why the majority of single parents are on

welfare. Believing that this circumstance comes from the

environment of the adult, Murray believes that being a

single parent and on welfare will be an on-going cycle in

certain instances. Guest-Zoil, Thomas and Kalil (2006)

believed that single parent families expenditures are

consciously decided than couples with mates because of

funds. Making single parents more resourceful. Some

individuals believe that having a father figure in a

child’s life is needed. “It helps with balance and

uncertainties with raising a child” Besharov and Gardiner.

According to Popenoe, D. (1996), single parent families

are in high- risk of failure when socializing in today’s

society. “A child should be well prepared instead of

somewhat prepared” (1996).

Faggon (1994) did a research on the pros and cons of

single mothers and single fathers coming to a conclusions

of “no differnces when love and support is present”. When

it comes to single parenting, negativity comes. Because of

this negativity is because some parents become very

stressed out and are not applicable to look a situations

in a more positive light(Mulroy 1998). Raising a child in

any situation is a tedious task. Making sure that the

child understands life and its ups and downs has always

been a parents biggest fear(Faggan and Coontz 1997).

Parents can overcome negative stereotypes by believing in

themselves and knowing that they are doing the best they

can and giving there loved ones love and support(Mulroy

1998).

Mitter, N. (1992). Single Parent by Choice: A Growing Trend in Family Life. Insight Books.

. Mulroy, A. E. (1998). Women as Single Parents: Confronting Institutional Barriers in the Courts, the Workplace and the Housing Market.Auburn House.

Pasons, T., (1998, 7 September). Charles does know pain of single parent. The Mirror.

Popenoe, D. (Spring 1996). A World without Fathers. The Wilson Quarterly, Vol. 20.

Saintonge, S., Achille A. P., Lachance, L. (1998). The Influence of Big Brothers on the Separation- Individuation of Adolescents from Single- Parent Families. Adolescence, Vol. 33.