The Effects on Children
In the United States, the effects of single-parent family life on children fall into two categories: (1) those attributed to the lower socioeconomic status of single parents and (2) the short-term consequences of divorce that moderate over time. Four factors are predictive of U.S. children's adjustment to the divorce of their parents: the passage of time, the quality of the children's relationship with their residential parent, the level of conflict between parents, and the economic standing of the children's residential family. In the first few years after a divorce, the children have higher rates of antisocial behavior, aggression, anxiety, and school problems than children in two parent families. However, some of these problems may be attributed to a decrease in available resources and adult super-vision; many of the negative effects disappear when there is adequate supervision, income, and continuity in social networks (McLanahan and Sandefur 1994).
In mother-only families, children tend to experience short-and long-term economic and psychological disadvantages; higher absentee rates at school, lower levels of education, and higher dropout rates (with boys more negatively affected than girls); and more delinquent activity, including alcohol and drug addiction. Adolescents, on the other hand, are more negatively affected by parental discord prior to divorce than by living in single-parent families and actually gain in responsibility as a result of altered family routines (Demo and Acock 1991). Children in single-mother homes are also more likely to experience health-related problems as a result of the decline in their living standard, including the lack of health insurance (Mauldin 1990). Later, as children from single-parent families become adults, they are more likely to marry early, have children early, and divorce. Girls are at greater risk of becoming single mothers as a result of nonmarital childbearing or divorce (McLanahan and Booth 1989). Although the research findings are mixed on long-term effects, the majority of children adjust and recover and do not experience severe problems over time (Coontz 1997).
A common explanation for the problems found among the children of single parents has been the absence of a male adult in the family (Gongla 1982). The relationship between children and non-custodial fathers can be difficult and strained. Fathers often become disinterested and detached from their children; in one study more than 60 percent of fathers either did not visit their children or had no contact with them for over a year. The loss of a father in the family can have implications beyond childhood (Wallerstein and Blakeslee 1989). However, the lack of a male presence may not be as critical as the lack of a male income to the family. The economic deprivation of single-parent family life, in combination with other sources of strain and stress, is a major source of the problems experienced by both parents and children.
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2 days ago
manda
I'm eighteen and still live with my mother. My mom received custody of both my sister and I when I was five and she was one. My dad never really bothered to try to keep a relationship with us and he was full of his own problems. He lives about two hours away now and i see him maybe twice a year. I actually don't really like my dad. Were two completely different people and I'm fine with it. I'm now in my first year of college and doing pretty well in life. My mom remarried and got divorced again a few years ago. I didnt like him either. I think because of it all I dont really take to guys very easily and I dont trust them. My boyfriend of two and a half years is one of the only guys i completely trust.
5 days ago
Blanca
I'm 18 years old, the oldest of 3 kids. My mom raised us all by herself since i was 2 years old. I saw my dad like twice in my life. My mother is an undocumented immigrant, therefore making money was a a big issue. She hardly worked and she never really had much to offer us but food, shelter, and love. Instead of working a lot, she dedicated herself to staying at home to raise us and be a part of our lives. I might of not had birthday parties, or camping trips or anything, but i had my mom present all the time. She left my abusive, alcoholic,irresponsible, father for our own good. It was hard growing up financially, but it shaped who i am today. I learned to be independent through all the work experience i had. I began paying rent at the age of 16, but it was all for the benefit of my family. Even though going to school, then sports, after go to work, and still be involved in my community and school was a big challenge, it was all worth it. Having a sigle parent a lot of the times is for the better, and i thank my mom for making all the right decisions. Its not so much of a negative outcome having a single parent. My mother was 2 parents at the same time, and we turned out fine. My sister and I made it out of high school, and now we attend cal state fullerton. Im sure my brother will to in 2 years. My moms sacrifices and my dedication and hard work has paid off, and now its my turn to give back to my mom =)
11 days ago
Tiiz tellitlikeitiz ((at)) gmail dot com
1. No study can encompass EVERY situation. 2. The "IDEAL" situation is 2 parents, 2 incomes, 2 ideals that are effectively managed and impart to 1 child. 3. The studies don't lie. You have to know how to interpret them. 4. If you have a single parent that was economically stable and didn't come from an unstable household you are more likely to have a better outcome. 5. If you come from cyclically unstable households this remains to be true. 6. Young girls definitely NEED their fathers (good ones that is...) 7. Single parents should and typically use the "village" model for raising their kids. 8. Where there is love success is without a doubt eminent. 9. If you were in a bad situation...this discussion is not talking about you. Of course you should get out. However, children ARE more resilient than you know. 10. A lot of times single parent households are a Direct reflection of our irresponsible choices. Too late to feel guilty now. You just do what you have to. @Manda...no one could've known that outcome. There should be better systems for children in those situations. Sorry you had to experience that . MP...what about about them. This was not a study on them. Mz.Tee...just like you, I should've been more responsible about my choices. All we can do is raise our children. @Joni T. - way to take care of your family when your partner didn't know how to or just wouldn't. Ricky..there's nothing wrong w being spoiled if it's done the right way. Spoiled kids can learn to be grateful and their well to do families have the right to spoil them and should. Ricky...good for you. what a great mother. you are not alone. J. aikonis...not sure I agree. Liu...most of us are still searching. You are one of the people the above author is talking about.
3 months ago
Manda
my father raised me because the judge thought that it was best because my mom moved around a lot. if i would have lived with my mom i wouldnt have had the experience of getting abused and my father almost killing me. I am not sad for what happend i am thankful because it gave me experience and it helped me be a better person and how i would want to raise my kids when i have them. I feel that you put things about mothers raising kids but a lot of fathers raise children to. I think there should be facts on fathers raising their kids. I have problems but who doesnt? It all depends on how you take the experience.
5 months ago
MP
What about family of illegal immigrants, when one of the parents is deported from the country. There are thousands and thousands of these families... Who ever consider this type of single parent family and impact on children? What kind of life/growing problems/ attitude/behavioral problems these US citizen children are having?
5 months ago
Mz_Tee
I believe this article is way off when it comes to the effects of raising children alone. My aunt and uncle raised me, my sister and brother plus their four kids. We all turned out fine. I have a son without a father. I choose not to be with him because I don't want my son growing up in a abusive household. They always try to point out the negative. What about why people choose to be single parents. My son is five and very smart and intelligent. I am proud of my son because I work full time and go to school fulltime and still managed to raise a smart and respectable child so far.
8 months ago
MARLO LIM kutieq_2002 ((at)) yahoo dot com
Hi, I have been a single parent for my only child since before she was born until this day.. After I founded out I was pregnant. I confronted her father..who told me that...how do I know that it is for him... I felt real terrible inside after what he said..I eventually broke down in tears..I started to cry wondering how was I going to mange after all have been going through lost my job and now pregnant..how was I going to really care for my child. Then I put myself together. Remembering, my other family were there for me..and with the help of them all..and other friends..who heard of my story..was of a tremedous help to me and her..and still is until this day.. He also, of recently..of two years ago, last year 2007 ..took out a summonds on me hoping to take away my child from me..the court gave us order for him to have her the last weekend of every month. Since those times spending with him..she was changed acting strange towards me..I began to get worried..she told me of how her father kissed his future wife infront of her , givin her flowers etc..and I thought to myself. I supposed he wants me to get jealous. which I was not.. at the result of our court case. We were giving a letter stating the arrangement of things between us and the child..he did not kept his responsibilities and promised..left the country and never keep in contact with his child but called once. However, I thank God for blessing me with a job up on this day that am able to provide for my daughter even though not in the way am able to but still we are happy and her grades are doing so well.. She gives alot of talking but, some times it is often frustrating and I cried lots of time how will I ever get out of the discomfort we are presently in..I know God answereth prayers..so for those who are a single parent..don't give up..just keep the faith and the Lord will do the rest..look and learn from others and whenever in distressed..call upon a friend..the Lord Jesus in your closet and talk with him and even to a family or a friend who understands.. God bless
9 months ago
joni t. jonithorpe2 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I am a single mother of 3 & I strongly believe that if I would've remained in a relationship with their father...well it would've been a much worse situation. Neither of them have a good relationship with their father but without him being involved I have managed to raise well rounded, respectful individuals. It doesn't take two parents to raise a child... just one realy good one!!!!
10 months ago
nordia livingston_nordia ((at)) yahoo dot com
I am from a single parent family.I'm 18 yrs old and for as long as i could remember my mom was the only one playing that steady role in my life throught my high school years she waas my role to sucess.she gave me strong encouragement to take my work seriously and because of her although i had a boyfriend and never got pregant,i graudated from high school and now i'm a second year studen at a community collage,she devoted her life to me and her other childern and i thank god for her.It not most likely that person who are raised by a mother or father end up bad in the society.
11 months ago
Ricky www dot nys_most_wanted_ricky_smiley ((at)) yahoo dot com
I am a child of a single parent. I'm 18 yrs old and for almost all my life the only people that raised me was my mom and I also had some help form my grandmother that recently past away almost 5yrs ago. Even though most single parents are in povery or poor or rich or what ever the case might be it only puts a dent in the childs life if you let it. I use to think how it would be different if I had two parents in my life instead of one. Would my family be more stable in money wise? Would I have been like some of these kids that end up being spoiled? Would my personality have changed or would I have looked at things in a different perspective than the way I do now??? The point is no matter what the statistic is the results shows from what the single parents wants whats best for their child. My mom worked hard and struggled pratically 18yrs and is still doin it today to make sure I succeed in life. And you know what.... I graduated highschool and now attending a community college in pennsylvania majoring in Criminal Justice because of the future she struggled to produce for me and i am forever gratefull..
about 1 year ago
J Alikonis jillalikonis ((at)) earthlink dot net
I was successfully raised by my independent divorced mother, I have never been married and I am adopting my first child this year at the age of 35. None of these studies apply to single parent households that are able to financially support children. Note the comment ".. the lack of a male presence may not be as critical as the lack of a male income to the family." The keys to the puzzle are opportunity for education followed by equal pay for equal work. There will always be single parents and, so far, most of them are the mothers; we should arm them with the best defense against poverty, which is the true cause of disparity between the two groups of children.
about 1 year ago
Xiaowei Liu lxw412 ((at)) yahoo dot com dot cn
I am in a single-parent family. My father deid (because of illness of brain when he was 62)when I was 12, I lived with my mother since then. Now I am 22 and I am doing my postgraduate study in Shanghai. During all these years without my father, I think there are some problems that could not be solved in this kind of specail family. And now, I am searching for the ways of solving these problems.