Single Parent - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

A single parent is an individual who has most of the day-to-day responsibilities in the raising of the child or children, which would categorize them as the dominant caregiver. Essays could discuss the challenges and rewards of single parenting, societal attitudes towards single parents, and the impact of single parenting on children. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Single Parent you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Importance of the Single Parenting Problem

Single parents are often turned down or used as a last resort when adopting a child. Many professionals as well as the general public think it is in the best interest of the child to grow up with a mother and father. This ideal is keeping children in foster care longer than necessary. Individuals have to go through greater obstacles to adopt a child including independent or international adoptions. Even these methods of adoption are not guaranteed. The current policies […]

Children from Single Parenting Family

Single Parenting has been known to history ever since the 17th century. Over 33% of children have lost one parent during their childhood throughout the centuries due to many factors. Single Parent families differ from families with two parents because only one parent decides how to run the household instead of two parents. So, Single parenting is a new economic phenomenon that has become more recurrent possibly due to the death of parent or partner, an unintended pregnancies or single […]

A Two-Edged Mom

It is very difficult for a single mom to raise two children. The demands of life can be too much for this mother and even if she is the best person on Earth, she can possibly fail to successfully raise those two children. This is the case for Amanda Wingfield, the mother of Laura and Tom Wingfield in Tennessee Williams's The Glass Menagerie. Amanda’s husband had left the family when the children were very young. Amanda spends her whole life […]

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Single Parents: Positive Single Parenting

Being a single parent is incredibly challenging, especially if the family is headed by a woman. She must provide and care for her children, including cooking, feeding, clothing, and transporting them, all while maintaining a career. It is essential for her to spend time raising her children, providing them with experiences, activities, and inspiration, all while managing her own professional development. She engages in shaping the futures of her children, guiding them towards establishing their own lives. Until her children […]

Children Grow up Without a Father

Approximately 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States go through a divorce at least once in their lifetime. Some reasons for divorce are extreme such as abuse or neglect of family. Some are simple, such as being in an unhappy relationship or finances. Bringing a little human into the world and teaching them what is right and what is wrong, and not to mention equipping them with the skills to live a happy and healthy life […]

Why is Sociological Imagination Important

Final Paper During the entirety of this semester we have focused on different aspects of social inequality. After being introduced to the chapters provided in the text, you can conclude that social inequality focuses specifically on economic, racial and gender inequality. These three components allow us to see how there is inequality based on one’s wealth/income and physical characteristics as well as the unequal treatment based on gender. As each chapter has shown great significance and insight of why our […]

Effects of Divorce on Families

The most basic effects of separation on kids or young adults incorporate an effect on their psychological changes, proper social skills, scholarly accomplishments and even behavior impacts that can carry on over the span of adulthood. The most recognized effects that divorce has on kids present themselves in the way that children will begin to reprimand themselves for the separation, there is a sense of vulnerability in elements of life that were previously concrete, there are social issues that emerge, […]

Effects of Marriage and Divorce on Children

Development during early childhood is very important. It shapes who a person is in their actions, values, and ideals for the rest of their life. Divorce can affect how a child develops cognitively. Due to the stress of conflict, potential lack of attention or loss of resources the child receives during divorce it can be detrimental to how a young child cognitively develops and can have impacts on their life in the moment, but also long-term consequences. The self-image of […]

Homelessness Issues and Child Care

What exactly do you think of when you hear the word homeless, shelter, or maybe even the word unsettled? Being homeless means to live without a roof over your head, and being in the streets or even living from house to house. Realistically, unfortunate things happen to people, for instance losing a job, losing a house due to not being able to financially take care of yourself, or even having problems with mental health. Homelessness doesn’t only affect adults, kids […]

Junction City Community Center

Abstract In this paper I will identify some public issues in my community that will benefit from having a community center in the city. I will go over the functions of my programs and how they will affect the immediate population. I will also go over potential cost of a program and development of this magnitude and again outline what it will bring to the community. Various social groups and businesses in the area will be attracted to the positive […]

My Admired Person my Mother: the Strength and Resilience

The Pillar of Strength - My Admired Person, My Mother Family is a very strong word that holds a strong meaning. For me, Family is very important. If I did not have the wonderful people that make up my Family, I do not think I could be where I am today. I owe them most of the things I have. However, most importantly, I owe them all the unconditional love and support that I receive from them every day. According […]

Complete and Incomplete Family

There are also several variables that can have an effect in addition to the nontraditional family type. This literature review is broken down into two sections:  nontraditional family type, and  variables. The family type section explains the problems that exist in the different types of nontraditional homes. The variable section goes into more detail about the different variables within these homes that can contribute to poor emotional health among children. Nontraditional Family Types Cohabiting Families. There were overwhelming reviews of […]

Petina’s Unconventional Path to Motherhood in ‘Pa Wars’

Pa Wars is a short story written by writer Patricia Grace, a writer of novels, short stories, and children's books in the mid-nineteenth century. In Pa Wars, Petina tells her old school friend Raycharles that she's looking for a father for her baby. The thread that runs through all the stories, though, is Grace's huge sympathy for the underdog and the perspective of the outsider. The world she depicts is often a stark and unsentimental place, in which people struggle […]

Single Mother Can be Super Successful

We all are a melting pot made up of different ideas and backgrounds depending on out genetics and backgrounds we may have different ways of doing things and different views. Family dynamics have changed over the years and are no longer considered traditional, families are so diverse now and days. The diverse family I choose to explore is a single mom who has two children and one of those children suffer from mental and behavioral issues. The growing diversity in […]

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Best Family Essay Examples

Single parenting.

905 words | 4 page(s)

Recently, many discussions evolve around the role of children who were brought up with a single parent. Psychologists and scholars, in general, look at these kids and evaluate their future actions in the societies. For some, it would mean that they will become self-reliant individuals in the society, for others it means a different path. Those who choose another way of leading their lives, often meet various challenges and obstacles. As an outcome, they are more likely to commit violent acts or crimes. Thus, one may say that children who were brought up with a single parent are more likely to commit violence than these who come from full families.

Let’s looks at the root of the issue. Children form their psychological image of the world since the early childhood. They would take whatever is given by their parents. The future of their life choices would help with estimation of the family conditions they have grown up in. Usually, one considered a family with two parents as the most suitable option for bringing up a child. In such family, children would be given all necessary care from the side of parents. So, one may conclude about a balanced parenting, in that case.

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Some of the studies support the argument, too. For instance, family facts state that ‘Compared to peers in intact families, adolescents living in single-mother families were more likely to engage in delinquent acts involving serious property crimes’(Familyfacts.org, 2015). The argument looked at in this essay is rather a demonstrative case. Besides the threat for committing crimes, children who come from the single-parent families suffer other psychological deviations, too, Particularly, these include a higher risk of involvement in delinquency. Such a deviation may be explained by the fact of lack parental involvement, monitoring and parental closeness.

The family structure appears to be a determinant factor for the future socialization of a child. The experience one receives during his childhood years often reflects during adulthood. For instance, those who come from families with alcohol-addicted parents are likely to have negative imprints in their memories that come from their childhood. Yet, the process of upbringing as such plays an important role, too. An education is given in a single family often corresponds to the same care and level of closeness as in other families with two parents.

The topic of this discussion often becomes speculated, too. Particularly, it determines the attitude from the governmental side towards single families as well as the attitude towards crime. Particularly, when one thinks of the US policies and its fear of crime, a lot of involved bodies become scapegoats of the perception of crime. Unfortunately, the Bureau of Justice does not track reliably the family background of people who have committed crimes. However, one may find the numbers that are dated back in the years. “The 1987 “Survey of Youth in Custody” found that 70% did not grow up with both parents. Another 1994 study of Wisconsin juveniles was even more stark: only 13% grew up with their married parents.” (Hymowitz, 2012) Judging from this survey, it is obvious that the likelihood to commit crimes is much higher in the families with a single parent.

Although, taking into consideration only the fact of social origin may not provide with a proper survey result. In other words, one shall look at parental employment, origins, social involvement. Only then, some proven conclusions may be drawn.

There is another argument coming from critiques who state that state that mass incarceration may be considered as the fact of actual creation of more single-parent families. The growth of nation’s prison population implies on the instability not only within the families but also within social policies. So, the correlation between a single parenting and violent acts may appear inverse.

In 1991, Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan declared that children who come from a single-parent family were five times more likely to be poor and twice as likely to commit crimes. Besides, he claimed that they were more likely to get involved in criminal activities, drug and alcohol abuse. So, the message coming from a high-ranking official was rather unpleasant. Moreover, it leads to a significant media reaction when people started to make their impressions based on the official statement.

What’s striking in the discussion is that officials would rather prefer to point out on the surveys results that involve family structure but would avoid looking at the issue of upraise of poverty and failure in schools. Thus, the methods for research as well as the outcomes from these research remain rather questionable.

Certainly, one may not deny the fact that children who come from the single mother families are more likely to commit crimes. This statement may be proved by the research conducted annually. However, one tends to forget about other factors that are not less important.

So, overall one may conclude the fact that children brought up in the single mother families are more likely to commit crimes. However, one shall keep in mind the fact of official statements and scapegoating that arises from the governmental level. It is unavoidable to forget about other major factors in that particular stance.

  • Hymowitz, K. (2012). The Real, Complex Connection Between Single-Parent Families and Crime. The Atlantic. Retrieved 18 March 2015, from http://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2012/12/the-real-complex-connection-between-single-parent-families-and-crime/265860/
  • Familyfacts.org,. (2015). Marriage and Family as Deterrents from Delinquency, Violence and Crime. Retrieved 18 March 2015, from http://www.familyfacts.org/briefs/26/marriage-and-family-as-deterrents-from-delinquency-violence-and-crime

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The Struggles of Single Parenting Essay

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Introduction

Financial challenge, finding competent childcare, the world on your shoulder, feeling lost and alone, introducing your child to those who you are dating, works cited.

Parenting is the central role of family, which is the basic unit of society. Thus, a society is characterized by the quality of parenting achieved at the family level. The stigma surrounding single parenthood is borne out of the contemporary notion that family comprises a father, mother and children (Hanson, 44). Single parent families are thus vilified on the notion that they are deficient.

In some instances, weakened gender-identity and poor self-esteem culminates from the existence of single parenthood. Parenting involves responsibilities and resources, which one individual cannot avail at the desired time and in the required proportion. Despite the significance of parenting to the life of an individual, little or no formal grounding is available for would-be parents on how to best execute the job (Hanson, 45). The concept of single parenthood highlighted is that of a single motherhood. As a result, most families characterized by single parenthood comprise of a single mother (Bornstein, 56). Growing up under the care of single parent has its influence on the personality of an individual.

In spite of the challenges facing single parents, the implicit differences in an individual’s personality cannot be accurately attributed to the type of parenting they receive. However, as postulated by McLanahan & Sandefur p1,

“Children who grow up in a household with only one biological parent are worse off on average than children who grow up in a household with both of their biological parents, regardless of the parents race or educational background, whether the parents were married when the child was born and …of whether the resident parent remarries”p1.

Single parent households face numerous challenges as discussed hereunder. However, these challenges are relative to the situation faced by families headed by both parents.

The ability of a single parent to avail sufficient financial resources for upbringing of a child is limited. Hanson (p56) posits that poverty limits the ability to look after children in addition to personal needs of the parent. It also has far-reaching adversities such as poor performance at school, youth delinquency and poor self-concept. The associated unavailability of proper housing, insecurity and abuse increase the influence of single-parenthood to development of a child in spite of the fact that wealth is no guarantee of positive outcome in character of the children.

However, resource availability boosts the affordability of some necessary amenities. As outlined by McLanahan & Sandefur (p 10), in 1980, the overall dropout rate was 19%, with 13% of the children residing with both parents. Most single parents experience compounded issues relating to finances. The inability to gain entry into the jobs market is borne out of socio-economic constraints. Most of them are non-literate or semi literate.

The lack of skills and competencies in income-generating activities contribute to their scenario in most cases. Single parents who are financially stable have higher chances of remarrying as well. Thus, most of the single mothers who experience financial constraints sink into a downward spiral into poverty. Single parents are in a dilemma when it comes to dealing with unemployment and scarcity of resources or having time for themselves and parenting their child. As observed, poverty is major contributor to inability to remarry after divorce or getting married in the first place.

Gone are the days when a neighbor would assist with household chores without asking for some form of compensation (Walsh, 138). Each individual is involved in income generation and it is common-practice for people seeking services of others to offer competitive pay. At the backdrop of financial constraints, a single parent finds themselves unable to afford childcare according to McLanahan & Sandefur (p 8). Since the single parent has to attend to her work responsibilities, part of the day’s prime hours are spend away from the child. Most workplaces are not considerate of such scenarios and do not have flexibility regarding day care (Hanson, 50)

Children require a father figure to which they can relate and adore. A single-parent family presents a scenario where the parents are not living together and takes away the opportunity of the child to experience the nurture of two parents. As a result, there is loss or absence of social capital. McLanahan & Sandefur (p 3) describes social capital as the scenario where a relationship develops out of trust and commitment.

If the absentee parent is alive, the child is bound to feel that the parent who lives apart does not love them enough to afford time and financial resources to support their needs. As articulated by Hanson (p115), uncertainty about the future is bound to breed deviant tendencies and undesirable personal traits. The ability of the child to succeed and grow to a productive adult is severely compromised due to lack of this form of guidance.

The arrival or departure of the father figure is associated with problems, while strong home environments are associated with perceptions of positive behavior (Hanson 50). Thus, support of a fatherly figure is of utmost necessity. As posited by Walsh, “Although single parents are likely to have more stress and a fragmented household, these parents and children can learn how get their needs met within their networks. With support from extended family…useful connection with community members…”p127

Data reveals that single parents are more likely to sink into depression than their married counterparts are (Walsh, 124). The unavailability of a caring partner to strengthen the single parent against the challenges of parenting is bound to exert immense pressure on the single parent. However, this relies on the level of support from friends, relatives or support groups. The changing roles of the single parent, in addition to the other challenges of parenting are bound to cultivate ground for loneliness. The parent has to divide their resources between their love and that of the child. As a result, decision-making becomes a challenge, since a second opinion may only be available from the child he or she is upbringing.

The dating scene presents another challenge to a single parent. Many times, the bond between the prospective partner and the child may fail to develop leading to the child disapproving of them. This occurs since the child feels that the prospective ‘partner’ has come to take the place of the absentee parent. As a result, the child develops barriers to frustrate the individual, culminating into tensions that compromise the success of the relationship (Moore et al, 103). On the other hand, the parent is unsure about the longevity of the relationship from the onset. Incase the child develop a bond with the prospective partner, it is possible that the child will be distraught in case the relationship does not work.

Single parenthood is a major challenge even in the absence of the above stated difficulties. However, the outcome of parenting is not necessarily related to the presence of two parents as observed from both cases of parenting. In spite of the challenges faced by single parents, no evidence is conclusive relating to the adverse impact of one-parent families to the personality of the children in adult life. As a result, parents should strive to avail the best possible care and nurture to their children regardless of their scenario

Bornstein, Marc H. “Handbook of Parenting: Being and Becoming a Parent, Volume 3” USA: Routledge, 2002, p 50-60

Hanson, Shirley M. “Single Parent Families: Diversity, Myths, and Realities, Volume 1” New York: Routledge, 1994, p 30-150

McLanahan, Sara and Sandefur, Gary D. “Growing Up With A Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps” USA: Harvard University Press, 1994, p1-100

Moore, Kristin A et al. “Choice and Circumstance: Racial Differences in Adolescent Sexuality and Fertility”Transaction Publishers, 1989 p100-105

Walsh, Froma. “Normal Family Processes: Growing Diversity and Complexity”, New York: Guilford Press, 2003, p 120-128

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IvyPanda. (2021, December 10). The Struggles of Single Parenting. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-struggles-of-single-parenting/

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IvyPanda . (2021) 'The Struggles of Single Parenting'. 10 December.

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Essays on Single Parenting

The problem of single parenting is very widespread and complex, so writing a single parenting essay about it will help with better understanding and will give you the opportunity to collect and express your thoughts. Single parenting essays tell us that there are a large number of single-parent families. It is very difficult to raise and support a child alone – physically, financially, and mentally. Samples of essays on single parenting reveal that in single-parent families child often don't get enough attention and feel neglected. Also, single-parent children don't get a healthy family image or learn as much about relationships, making it harder for them to build their own family in the future. Peruse our single parenting essay samples – the best ones are below. Know that we are here to help you out with your essay as well.

Effects of Divorce on Children When two people marry, they are publicly declaring that they are loyal to each other before death. Starting a family together strengthens the relationship and allows it to be completed as a full family unit. Unfortunately, certain things do not turn out, and marriages end in...

Words: 1158

For most families today, single parenthood was common. The majority of solitary childcare is for women or more for mothers. One parent raises a child without the other parent s support. Research shows that one out of two children in the United States are raised in a single family before 18...

Words: 1800

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In 1993 Valerie Polakow wrote Lives on the Verge to deal with the plight of single mothers and their children in the "other" America. The term "other America" is used to indicate that in America there are two classes: the other America and the rest of the world. The "other"...

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Single Parenting Essay Examples

The consequences of single parenting for children.

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Broken Families: Research on the Effects of Divorce

Why did the broken family rate increase at 20 to 30 percent in the United States? This question led me to choose the topic of broken family essay to find the answer. The article that I am going to be talking about is “Broken Families...

Single Parents Should Get More Praise and Support

One-third of children living in the US are living with a single mother. “81% of those single-parent homes are headed by a mom.” This is a big problem worldwide, it can cause the child to have more problems in school, they’re going to be different...

The Issue of Single Parenting in the United States

The government has long viewed single parenting as an issue in the United States. Single parenthood is more common among low-income women who often experience unintended pregnancy when they are still unmarried and poor. While these women view marriage as a luxury that should be...

How Does Single Parenting Work

Traditional families that consist of two parents and their children with both parents in their first marriage have become less common in the United States. The increasing rate of divorce over the years resulted in an increasing number of binuclear, or single-parent families as well....

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In our modern society (SNS) has created ample opportunities for connecting, sharing and disclosing information amongst peers. Further positive affirmations of selfie-posting as men-tioned by Boursier & Manna (2018), whom argue that there are two significant factors: (1) self-promotion and (2) self-disclosure. Social promotion is...

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