Single Parenthood Can Be as Successful as Raising Children in Another Family Configuration

Single Parenthood can be as Successful

As Raising Children in another Family Configuration

Abstract

Single parent families are a fast growing family phenomenon and can no longer be viewed as non-traditional families. As these families continue to grow it’s important to understand the effects of these households on children's overall well-being as well as recognize children who grow up in single parent homes can be as successful as children who grow up in any other family configuration.

Research indicates that single mother families are much more common compare to single mother families but single father families are growing rapidly. Roughly 85% of single parent families are of single mother families.

There are many positive effects on children who grow up in single parent homes due to the family closeness and dynamics. To name a few effects, these children tend to me more self-reliant, independent, mature and responsible compare to their peers from two parent families.

Data presented in this report was collected mostly from US Census Bureau, internet resources outlining single parent families and a personal interview.

Introduction

Single-parent families can no longer be viewed as nontraditional families. These families are all around us today. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that about 30 percent of American families are headed by only one parent. Single-parent households numbered over 12 million in the year of 2000 and by 2006 that number had grown to 12.9 million families. The Washington Times analyzed the most recent 2010 census data, showing that the percentage of two-parent families has dropped significantly over the past decade in all 50 states. As the total number of American households with children increased by 160,000, the number of two-parent households decreased by 1.2 million. Today, one-third of American children – a total of 15 million – are being raised without a father. Nearly five million more children live without...