Definition of a Single Parent Family

Single-parent families have become increasingly prevalent as the divorce increases. While there are statistics that indicate there is a greater chance that children in single-parent families will grow up in poverty, these statistics are not indicative that these children can also grow up to be healthy, mature adults if given the nurturing that all children need. Parents might face more challenges in single-parent families, but many of these parents have concluded that raising children in a single-parent family is preferable to raising children when two parents continually fight.

  1. The Facts

    • Single-parents families are defined as households in which there is at least one child under the age of 18 and there is only one parent in the household because of divorce, death or because the parent never married.

    Considerations

    • This definition is somewhat lacking because there are also single-parent families in which a grandparent is the only caregiver. While this might not fit the precise definition of a single-parent family, many of the situations and struggles of single parents raising children are also faced by a grandparent or other relative who ends up being the primary caregiver. Therefore it may be useful to expand the definition to include single-caregiver families.

    Warning

    • Single-parent families usually have one source of income, although in the case of divorce, there can be child-support payments. Regardless of income, the fact that there is only one parent means that there are fewer adults living in the house who can monitor the children and give them the attention that all children need. Parents in single-parent families can make up for this somewhat by enlisting the help of friends and other family members such as aunts and uncles to pitch in and help in the raising of the children.

    Benefits

    • In the case of divorce, there are people who insist the two parents are always better than one in the case of families. However, when the destructive tendencies of parents to bicker, fight, ridicule and berate each other become a constant and create an atmosphere of hatred, psychological damage can be done to the children. Although it's always better for two parents to make up their differences, there are times when the negative impact on the children outweighs the good of having two parents present.

    Expert Insight

    • Single parents have extremely difficult tasks. Having neighbors who can pitch in here and there for watching the children can be extremely helpful. Carpooling with other parents for extracurricular events can reduce the wear and tear on a single parent. Enlisting the help of children in chores not only helps around the house, it helps instill a sense of responsibility in children.

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