Studies show that living in a single-parent home can have such a negative effect on one …show more content…
They are too busy looking for love in all of the wrong places that they allow men or women to come in and out of their homes around and be around their child or children. In the majority of cases, the single mother is usually the one longing for affection that she tends to neglect or abandon her child. According to the textbook, "Abuse is usually an act of commission on the part of the caregiver, meaning a voluntary act, whereas neglect is an act of omission, in which some ingredient important to the child 's welfare is not provided (p. 73)."Not only that, but she allows her mate to abuse her child or is too busy not paying attention to what is happening around her that she does not know what is taking place in her child 's life. These types of situations can cause a child to turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their abuse and/or neglect. "The findings of various studies have confirmed (Goldstein, et al., 2000, Yih-Ing Hser et al., 2003, Ntomchukwu Madu, 2003) that schoolchildren themselves perceive smoking and consumption of alcohol as a way to reduce tension, stress and help to communicate …show more content…
"In 2005, an estimated 1,460 children died as a result of abuse or neglect (USDHHS, 2007)." Single parents are often stressed out from playing both roles (mother and father) and some from living in poverty trying to make a way being able to provide for their child. These things result to parents becoming addicted to alcohol and drug which can cause them to neglect their child and abuse them. 70 percent of substance abuse is the reason for the reported neglect and abuse cases. "As of September 30, 2004, 517,000 children lived in foster homes because they could not safely remain in their own homes. In 2005, one-fifth (21.7 percent) of victims or 317,000 children were removed from their homes as a result of child maltreatment investigations (USDHHS, 2007)." Oftentimes, child abuse and neglect is the result of stressed out parents taking their anger and frustration on the children. It is imperative that the parent sets a good example because children pick up on