Single parenting can be one of life's biggest challenges. Single parent families deal with many pressures and potential problems. Studies have found that there is negative influence on the children of single parents. Specially, single parents suffer from financial crisis and the children suffer from psychological problems. By following some rules a single parent can lessen some problems.
In the past 20 years single-parent families have become even more common than the “nuclear family" consisting of a mother, father and children. Single parenting can be one of life's biggest challenges. A single parent who does not live with a spouse or partner performs most of the day-to-day responsibilities in raising children. A single parent is considered the primary caregiver in a family.
One major study in Sweden looked into the health records of a million young people and discovered that children from single-parent families had twice the incidence of psychological problem, suicide attempts and drug abuse problems compared with those from two-parent families.
After divorce, some parents might pressure children to choose sides, which can make them feeling guilty. Another problem is the lack of family stability. Single parents have chances for moving or experiencing other kinds of disruptions that can affect children. A parent may remarry or live with a partner. In those circumstances, children feel uncertainty which may increase the chance of psychological problems.
Single parent families deal with many pressures and potential problems that the nuclear family does not face. Single parent have less opportunity for children to spend time together. Effects of the breakup influence on the children's school performance and peer relations. It is hard for single mothers on low income to maintain family. They often can't afford childcare, can't take a sick day, and can’t take a rest unless their children go for sleep. There is no one to share the enchanting moments with and no one to read a book to their children.
Researchers have presented several theories to explain why children growing up with single parents have a higher risk of experiencing, social, cognitive and emotional problems. Most of the researchers refer that the economic and social circumstance of single parents are responsible for psychological effect to their children.
For various reasons, most of the children living with single parents are economically disadvantaged. It is difficult for less advantageous single parents to afford the books, computers and private lessons that make it easier for their children to be successful in school. On the other hand, they cannot afford shoes, clothes, cell phones, and other consumer goods that give their children status among their neighbours. Even, many live in a shabby neighborhood with high crime rates in the low-quality schools and less community services. With these observations, many studies have found that the children who are from solvent family can grow up with dignity.
The quality of parenting has a great influence on children's emotional and social well-being. Many single parents find it difficult to act effectively as parents. In comparison with married couple, single parents are less emotionally supportive to their children. Sometimes they maintain harsher discipline and provide less supervision. Sometimes they engage in conflict with their children. As a result the children cannot grow up normally. It is believed that love and affection are necessary for normal mental growth.
Many studies show a variety of negative outcomes among children, including poor emotional problems, academic achievement, low self-esteem, conduct problems and problems forming and maintaining social relationships. In a research of sixty-three studies of nonresident fathers and their children, Joan Gilbreth (2005) found that children had higher academic achievement when nonresident fathers were closely engaged in their lives.
Moving from one place to another palace is a difficult experience for many children, as they lose contact with their neighbourhood friends. Because of economic hardship and because of new romantic attachments, children with single parents move more frequently than other children do. Studies found that frequent moving elevates the risk of behavioural, academic and emotional problems for children with single parents. For many children a stepparent in the household is a stressful matter. With the stepparent, children may not feel safe enough to express their emotion with freedom.
Sherine (2014) stated that motherhood is tough, especially when single parents are on their own way. A woman might love her child so much, but if a woman knew how hard it is to be a single parent on minimum income, she might think twice to have a child.
It is known that a single mother’s work schedule may reduce the time she spends with her children, but the time which she will get will be used in a more meaningful way. Single parents try to offer more affection to their children so often they develop closer relationships with their children than the traditional, two-parent families.
By following some tips a single parent can protect their children from risk factors:
Jenny Chanfreau, a senior researcher stated that the family relationship is more important than the family. He also added that staying together for the children but quarreling all the time with the children, not engaging fun together, not taking dinner together is not going to be helpful for the children.
One major study in Sweden looked into the health records of a million young people and discovered that children from single-parent families had twice the incidence of psychological problem, suicide attempts and drug abuse problems compared with those from two-parent families.
After divorce, some parents might pressure children to choose sides, which can make them feeling guilty. Another problem is the lack of family stability. Single parents have chances for moving or experiencing other kinds of disruptions that can affect children. A parent may remarry or live with a partner. In those circumstances, children feel uncertainty which may increase the chance of psychological problems.
Single parent families deal with many pressures and potential problems that the nuclear family does not face. Single parent have less opportunity for children to spend time together. Effects of the breakup influence on the children's school performance and peer relations. It is hard for single mothers on low income to maintain family. They often can't afford childcare, can't take a sick day, and can’t take a rest unless their children go for sleep. There is no one to share the enchanting moments with and no one to read a book to their children.
Researchers have presented several theories to explain why children growing up with single parents have a higher risk of experiencing, social, cognitive and emotional problems. Most of the researchers refer that the economic and social circumstance of single parents are responsible for psychological effect to their children.
For various reasons, most of the children living with single parents are economically disadvantaged. It is difficult for less advantageous single parents to afford the books, computers and private lessons that make it easier for their children to be successful in school. On the other hand, they cannot afford shoes, clothes, cell phones, and other consumer goods that give their children status among their neighbours. Even, many live in a shabby neighborhood with high crime rates in the low-quality schools and less community services. With these observations, many studies have found that the children who are from solvent family can grow up with dignity.
The quality of parenting has a great influence on children's emotional and social well-being. Many single parents find it difficult to act effectively as parents. In comparison with married couple, single parents are less emotionally supportive to their children. Sometimes they maintain harsher discipline and provide less supervision. Sometimes they engage in conflict with their children. As a result the children cannot grow up normally. It is believed that love and affection are necessary for normal mental growth.
Many studies show a variety of negative outcomes among children, including poor emotional problems, academic achievement, low self-esteem, conduct problems and problems forming and maintaining social relationships. In a research of sixty-three studies of nonresident fathers and their children, Joan Gilbreth (2005) found that children had higher academic achievement when nonresident fathers were closely engaged in their lives.
Moving from one place to another palace is a difficult experience for many children, as they lose contact with their neighbourhood friends. Because of economic hardship and because of new romantic attachments, children with single parents move more frequently than other children do. Studies found that frequent moving elevates the risk of behavioural, academic and emotional problems for children with single parents. For many children a stepparent in the household is a stressful matter. With the stepparent, children may not feel safe enough to express their emotion with freedom.
Sherine (2014) stated that motherhood is tough, especially when single parents are on their own way. A woman might love her child so much, but if a woman knew how hard it is to be a single parent on minimum income, she might think twice to have a child.
It is known that a single mother’s work schedule may reduce the time she spends with her children, but the time which she will get will be used in a more meaningful way. Single parents try to offer more affection to their children so often they develop closer relationships with their children than the traditional, two-parent families.
By following some tips a single parent can protect their children from risk factors:
- A single parent should talk and listen to their children. Parents should explain any changes that are taking place. One study showed that only 5 percent parents explain to their children why they were divorced or listen to their simple questions.
- It is better to protect children from parental conflict. It should be avoided to ask them to take sides. It is better to find a way to work with ex-spouse.
- Single parents should look after themselves. They should pay attention to their own feelings. For the failed marriage they may feel guilty and may suffer in psychological problems. These attitudes may influence on children. In such circumstances, it might be better to see a counselor.
- Children in a single-parent family most of the time take more responsibility, which can teach the responsibility of independence. It must be remembered to praise their contribution to their family.
Jenny Chanfreau, a senior researcher stated that the family relationship is more important than the family. He also added that staying together for the children but quarreling all the time with the children, not engaging fun together, not taking dinner together is not going to be helpful for the children.
