Family lifestyle is constantly changing, and almost half the number of children in the current generation spends part of their lives in a single parent family. Single parenting is becoming a normal trend mostly a result of family break-ups. The decision to bear a child by oneself is a tough choice since it requires more sacrifice. Generally, it is easier and more satisfying to have a life partner by one's side when raising a kid (Ketteringham, 2007). However, single parenting is taking its toll in the society today, and an understanding of all aspects of this idea is critical for a child's development. The general rule is that children have no choice to make, and that decision of who to move with entirely depends on parents. In a child's development, attraction to the mother begins way back in the womb. This is enhanced once a child is born and becomes stronger during further physical and emotional contacts (Falana et al, 2012). The same is the case with fathers; both physical and emotional attachments are strong during a child's growth. However, it reaches a time when the child has to do develop attachments to one parent only. The situation is tough to handle, and requires psychological guidance for the parent to handle. The need to explain to the child on the other parent's whereabouts is overwhelming. Primary causes of single parenting include; divorce, death, separation or personal decisions by the mother. All in all, single parenting is a challenging situation in which parents have to handle with great care.
Understanding single parent family structure:
Falana, Bada, and Ayodele (2012) carry out a research to determine the influence single parenthood has on development of children in school. This influence concerns a child's emotional, sex role and intellectual development. The research then concludes that single families affect intellectual and emotional development of children. Moreover, single parenthood affects sex role of a child. The cognitive and social wellbeing of a child entirely depends on family status. This requires an understanding of single family structure. To begin with, single parenting comes with emotional pressure on the parents (Ketteringham, 2007).
[...] Most single parents in the world today are mothers. They face a lot of challenges in discharging their duties and taking care of children. Fathers too are increasingly becoming single parents, and they too are tasked with responsibility of ensuring a child's relative progress. Single parenting has consequences on a child's physical and emotional well-being, and it is the parent's responsibility to ensure a child feels secure at all times. However, with the right efforts and guidance, parents can raise children single handedly when situations become tough. [...]
[...] Moreover, dealing with different situations and hard-time experiences teach children lifetime lessons. Frequent movements are primary ways through which children learn and develop (Moffitt, 1993). In some cases, a child gets to experience even a better extended family. This may lead to acceptance and emotional encouragement in the child, as a result of realized identity. There are also benefits of single parenting to the parent. For instance, single parents can spend more time with their kids given there are no close persons to interfere. [...]
[...] Moreover, single parenting comes with limited time, money and energy. Children's attachment to their parents The emotional and physical attachment between children and their parents is a natural occurrence not understandable to human beings. This is more the reason a child needs both parents for development. Ainsworth's (1979) research finds the relationship between one-year-old children attachment to their mothers, and mother-infant activities/interaction together with other aspects in their later stages of development (Sumster et al, 2013). This research concludes that the manner in which children conduct their behaviors towards their mothers determines how they also organize and conduct themselves towards other aspects of environment. [...]
[...] Moreover, single parenthood affects sex role of a child. The cognitive and social wellbeing of a child entirely depends on family status. This requires an understanding of single family structure. To begin with, single parenting comes with emotional pressure on the parents (Ketteringham, 2007). The pain of not having someone by their side to assist raise a child can be tormenting. Moreover, circumstances surrounding single parenting are not pleasing. Raising a child by oneself presents social, physical and financial pressure (Coppa, 2013). [...]
[...] This Is Your Brain Without Your Dad. The Wall Street Journal, 324(8) 34. Sumster, S., et al. (2013). Perceptions of love across the lifespan: differences in passion, intimacy and commitments. International journal of behavioral development, Vol. 37: 417-427. Tanner, P. (1986). Single-Parent Families. Journal of Extension, Vol. 24(4). [...]
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