The family structure in the modern world has changed to include more families headed by either a male or a female parent. The mode of parenting results from various factors such as divorce, death of a partner or pregnancies that occur outside marriage. Regardless of the parent’s gender, most single parent homes have similar characteristics especially with regard to the behavior of children. In the 2012 census carried out in the United States, the number of single parent households is on the rise and this has an impact on the financial status of the children (Ackerman et al., 65). The households that are headed by two parents are more likely to have access to higher incomes. This implies that most of the single-family households in the country experience more financial challenges than the other families headed by two parents. Due to the need to have more finances, the single parents in most households do not have time for their children as they are busy working. The inadequate attention that the children receive impacts negatively on their behavior and their achievement in life. Most of these children may have challenges relating with their peers and may exhibit learning challenges in school. The reduced finances in the single parent households have various emotional and psychological impacts such as low self-esteem that may affect the development of children (Ackerman et al., 73). One of the most important aspects in the social development of children is their social skills. The skills help them overcome the challenges they face in life because they are able to interact well with their peers. The social skills are easily developed among children with high self-esteem. Majority of the children from the single-parent households are poor and this may affect their self esteem negatively.
Despite the negative effects of growing up in single parent households, there are positive effects that may influence the development of these children positively. The single parents do not have a partner to help them in their parenting roles and this may help them achieve a high sense of responsibility. This affects the lives of the children positively and they are less likely to develop behavioral problems. The emotional stability of such children is important in influencing both academic and non-academic aspects of life. Single parents do not have partners to share their challenges and happiness with and they end up confiding in their children about the challenges that they face (Yarber and Paul 235). This strengthens the bond between the parent and the child and makes them emotionally strong. Such children are able to handle difficult situations even when they grow up. Through the emotional support that they provide to their parents, the children gain a special understanding of adults.
The living standards of children who are brought up in single parent homes is likely to be lower than the other children due to financial instability. The children are likely to lack essentials such as medical covers and this may impact their health negatively. However, despite the challenges in finances, the children are likely to have better lives as adults compared to their counterparts. The strong bond that develops between the children and their single parents helps them become emotionally strong.
Works Cited
Ackerman, Robert Argento, Gerhard Fries, and Richard A. Windle. “Changes in US family finances from 2007 to 2010: Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances.” Federal Reserve Bulletin 100 (2012): 1-80.
Yarber, Annice D, and Paul M. Sharp. Focus on Single-Parent Families: Past, Present, and Future. Santa Barbara, Calif: Praeger, 2010. Print.