Over the past decade, single-parent families have become even more common than the traditional families consisting of a mother, father, and children. The increase of single parents have provoked concern and controversy of how they affect the wellbeing of children. Single parenthood can bring added pressure and stress to the job of raising children, therefore, it will drastically affect them. Several studies have concluded that although single parenting might have some perks, it will often result in behavioral problems and the child being disadvantaged in several ways, including socially, academically, and behaviorally. “A single parent is one living without a spouse and on whose shoulders lies the higher responsibility
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Firstly, it is beneficial because no one undermines your authority. In two parent households, one parent says one thing while the other says something else. This causes a lot of arguing and fighting, which is unhealthy for the child. In a single parent household, there is no one else to question your choices. During an interview for Parents Magazine, single mother, Mary Mohler says, “When I call out, "Bedtime," there 's no one to say, "Aw, let them stay up another half hour.” ‘When you 're single, you understand how enormous your charge is and you take it more seriously because you know there isn 't anyone else around to defer to.” (“Parents Magazine”, Benefits to Being a Single Parent.) Additionally, going through divorce and becoming a single parent perhaps teaches kids life lessons. They will learn how to be independent and deal with conflicts more efficiently. “I 've noticed that my kids are more competent, more observant, and kinder than many of their friends who live in two-parent households. One reason for this, I believe, is that they have more responsibility-- for themselves, for each other, for the household.” (“Parents Magazine”, Benefits to Being a Single Parent). Children in single parent families may exhibit strong responsibility skills, as they are often called upon to help out more with family chores and tasks. Even though these are …show more content…
Single parenting might be related to high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety which can contribute to childhood behavior problems. A study was taken testing 30 two-parents and 33 single parents using a questionnaire, demographic info form, and a depression, anxiety, and stress scale. The results show twelve percent of single parents have a high stress and anxiety rate as compared to six in married couples. “Single parents suffer substantially elevated levels of psychological distress, symptoms of depression, and anxiety compared to parents from intact families.” (Parental Depression, Stress, Anxiety and Childhood…) Additionally, the study shows a relationship between childhood behavior problems and single parents’ stress and anxiety. Conduct problems are higher for the children from single parent families than children from comparison group. Most of the most noticeable behavior issues occur at school, such as, fighting with a classmate. It may also be because the children are generally less supervised at home, so their actions are less monitored and there is usually less communication between the child and parent. Although we have a we have to understand not all children raised in single parent families suffer these adverse outcomes; it is simply that the risks are greater for
Firstly, it is beneficial because no one undermines your authority. In two parent households, one parent says one thing while the other says something else. This causes a lot of arguing and fighting, which is unhealthy for the child. In a single parent household, there is no one else to question your choices. During an interview for Parents Magazine, single mother, Mary Mohler says, “When I call out, "Bedtime," there 's no one to say, "Aw, let them stay up another half hour.” ‘When you 're single, you understand how enormous your charge is and you take it more seriously because you know there isn 't anyone else around to defer to.” (“Parents Magazine”, Benefits to Being a Single Parent.) Additionally, going through divorce and becoming a single parent perhaps teaches kids life lessons. They will learn how to be independent and deal with conflicts more efficiently. “I 've noticed that my kids are more competent, more observant, and kinder than many of their friends who live in two-parent households. One reason for this, I believe, is that they have more responsibility-- for themselves, for each other, for the household.” (“Parents Magazine”, Benefits to Being a Single Parent). Children in single parent families may exhibit strong responsibility skills, as they are often called upon to help out more with family chores and tasks. Even though these are …show more content…
Single parenting might be related to high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety which can contribute to childhood behavior problems. A study was taken testing 30 two-parents and 33 single parents using a questionnaire, demographic info form, and a depression, anxiety, and stress scale. The results show twelve percent of single parents have a high stress and anxiety rate as compared to six in married couples. “Single parents suffer substantially elevated levels of psychological distress, symptoms of depression, and anxiety compared to parents from intact families.” (Parental Depression, Stress, Anxiety and Childhood…) Additionally, the study shows a relationship between childhood behavior problems and single parents’ stress and anxiety. Conduct problems are higher for the children from single parent families than children from comparison group. Most of the most noticeable behavior issues occur at school, such as, fighting with a classmate. It may also be because the children are generally less supervised at home, so their actions are less monitored and there is usually less communication between the child and parent. Although we have a we have to understand not all children raised in single parent families suffer these adverse outcomes; it is simply that the risks are greater for