This document discusses single parent families. It defines a single parent family as one headed by a widowed, divorced, or unmarried parent with children under 18. Common causes of single parenthood include divorce, death of a spouse, teenage pregnancy, adoption, and donor insemination. Effects on children can include lower academic achievement due to less attention, emotional issues from living in poverty, but positive effects like strong responsibility skills are also possible depending on other factors. Advantages include sole decision making ability and more bonding time with children, while disadvantages involve financial problems, potential emotional issues for children, loneliness, healthcare costs, and high stress levels.

1. SINGLE PARENT FAMILY
By
Chevanese Haughton

2. WHAT IS SINGLE PARENT FAMILY?
Single parent family are families with children under age 18 headed by a
parent who is widowed or divorced and not remarried, or by a parent who
has never married.

3. CAUSES OF SINGLE-PARENT FAMILY
Single parent family is caused by numerous reasons:
 Divorce - Single parenting due to divorce means that the divorced single parent will have the primary
custody of the child or children. The single parent will do the major obligation of raising the child or
children but the other parent can still be involved in the family.
 Death - Single parenting due to widowhood may give a parent an unforeseen parenting obligation that
will cause her to underwent difficult time of adjustment.
 Early pregnancy - Raising a child alone during teenage period is tough. Teen single parents underwent
stresses because of young age and inability to prepare for the future. Single parenting during teenage
years usually happen to kids who are rebellious from their parents.

4. CAUSES CONT’D
 Adoption - Single parenting due to adoption is a viable option for single people who feel incomplete
in life. However, loneliness should not be your sole motivation to choose single parenting. It could
be a part of it but the desire to nurture and share life as a family should come first. In the United
States, single parent adoptions is the fastest growing trend in the adoption field. Single parents due
to adoption are usually single parents who work full-time, financially responsible and emotionally
mature.
 Donor insemination -Single parenting due to donor insemination is the most controversial option for
building a family today. Donor insemination is the process of achieving pregnancy through injection
of semen into the reproductive tract of a female. Single mothers who choose to conceive children in
this option include lesbians who wish to bear children.

5. EFFECTS OF SINGLE PARENT FAMILY
 Academic Achievement-Most single-parent households are run by mothers, and the absence of a father -- coupled with lower
household income -- can increase the risk of children performing poorly in school. The lack of financial support from a father
often results in single mothers working more, which can in turn affect children because they receive less attention and
guidance with their homework.
 Emotional Effects-Having only one income earner in the home puts single parent households at risk for poverty, finds research
compiled by the University of Washington's West Coast Poverty Center. Living in poverty is stressful and can have many
emotional effects on children, including low self-esteem, increased anger and frustration and an increased risk for violent
behavior.
 Positive Effects-Single parenting can have positive effects on children as well, depending on other factors such as personality
types and parenting techniques. According to a study at Cornell University, positive single parenting did not show any
negative impact on the social and educational development of the 12- and 13-year-olds participating in the study. In addition,
children in single-parent families may exhibit strong responsibility skills, as they are often called upon to help out more with
family chores and tasks.

6. EFFECTS OF SINGLE PARENT FAMILY

7. ADVANTAGES
 No compromises. You get to be the sole decision maker. With big decisions, especially if you have an amicable
co-parenting relationship, you may have to occasionally consult the other parent.
 You have breaks. This isn't the case with all single parents, but many children spend some time with the other
parent, usually overnight. This gives you a chance to kick back and do nothing, soak in the tub, or get to that
book you have been dying to read.
 More bonding. Spouses can be awfully needy. Spending quality time with your kids is not always easy when
there is another adult in the house. As a single parent, you and your kids can play games, talk, or just relax,
without anyone else butting in or demanding attention.
 Build self-esteem. All of these extra responsibilities will show you that you can think for yourself, and you are
capable of making wise decisions for your children.
 Less stress. When you aren't spending all of your time and energy fighting with a spouse, you feel happier, your
children feel happier, and there is much less stress in your home. You finally have the time and energy to spend

8. ADVANTAGES IMAGES

9. DISADVANTAGES
 Financial Problems-Single parenthood offers you a chance to develop a strong bond with your kids by engaging
in activities like watching a movie, going on a picnic or shopping, according to Condrell. Fun activities help build
unity within your family, and you can set aside time with your children.
 Emotional Problems-Your child or children could fall victim to emotional problems if you do not bond with them
efficiently, or they could become involved in frequent feuds with their non-resident father.
 Loneliness-In a two-parent home, there are two adults who typically make the decisions for the
household.
 Healthcare-Another major issue for single parents is healthcare. Even if a single parent has health
insurance, premiums and deductibles can put a huge dent in an already stretched budget.
 Stress-Because you are the main person responsible for the care of yourself and your children, an
enormous amount of stress can build up in the life of a single parent.

10. DISADVANTAGES IMAGES