Cause and Effect Composition

Kelsey Fiely
Composition 1
Cause/Effect
November 12, 2014
Single Parent Families
Single parenting has several effects on both the children and the parent. These can include the risk, from the quality of parenting to the exposure of stress; the advantages, from the confidence of both the child and parent to the strong bond they have with each other; and the disadvantages, from the poor financial status to the effects that take place for both the child and the parent. These choices that parents make could potentially change their children’s lives. There are many risks involved in single parenting that affect that children.
Risk is a factor that comes with being a single parent. Economic hardship is a large part of single parenting. The children are often at an economic disadvantage. When single parenting, the parent only has one income, so they are automatically at a disadvantage than a family with two stable incomes (Amato). Children are six times more likely to be deprived in a one parent family (White 10). Only two percent of children in two-parent families will experience poverty during childhood for seven years or more, compared to twenty-two percent of children in one-parent families (White 11). Children that experience one-parent families are often more likely to get pregnant at a young age, not finish high school, deal with drug abuse, and get in trouble with the law (White 11).
Children’s emotional and social well-being is a predictor of the quality of parenting (Amato). Single parents tend to find it more difficult to be parents compared to a family with married parents (Lanza). Single parents have less rules, have more harsh discipline, are not as emotionally supportive, have less supervision, and engross in more conflict with their children compared to married parents. Some of these insufficiencies come from the parent trying to make ends meet financially with the other biological parent (Lanza). Many negative outcomes come from the children including low self-esteem, emotional problems, and poor academics.
The exposure of stress is another risk that comes with single parenting. The children are exposed to more stressful situations and experiences not only in their home but out of their home (Amato). Moving from home is one thing that is difficult for children, and this occurs more times in a single parent family than a family with married parents. This can pull the child from neighborhood friends, move them from schools, or even move them from close relatives. Another stressful situation children face with only having one parent is the possibility of having a stepparent. Also with a remarriage there is a possibility of a divorce which is another stressful situation.
Although single parenting is often looked at as negative, there are many advantages to it. Frequently, single parents have greater confidence in themselves. They are completely independent and rely on no one but themselves. If single parenting is achieved and they feel they can take care of themselves and their family, they tend to develop confidence and feel successful (Jeff). Also with the parent being confident and successful the child is likely to develop self-confidence. Being raised by a single parent, children have a tendency to develop independence at a younger age. When children are around the arguing of parents all the time with either married or divorced parents, it is negative on them. If they are not under that stress they can develop and grow into adults even without both parents being there. Another advantage of single parenting is there is not a lot of arguing in the household. When there is only one parent there is not as much arguing compared to a household with married parents (Jeff). Married parents tend to argue about things like their financial standpoint and with only one parent they can feel secure about their decisions rather than trusting or asking their partner. Also, they are free to do what they want, when they want whether it be about money, religion, or family.
Having a strong bond with your child is an important part of parenting. While single parenting, the parent has more time to bond with the child allowing their relationship to grow and become stronger. With only having one parent, the child only has them to look to for help or guidance. That parent is the child’s strength and support allowing for their bond to grow even more.
As many people know with advantages typically comes disadvantages. Single parenting is not always wonderful, even with the help of friends and family. Although they may not be arguing in the household about money, there may not be much income coming in. With the exception of wealthy single parents, a poor financial statement is very common among single parents. Being the only income coming in to the family the single parent usually must work full time or overtime. They have to make sacrifices for their child and choose things they need rather than what they want to make sure they can afford the basic needs.
Performing poorly in school is another disadvantage that can occur in the child from single parenting. One disadvantage is that the child can be affected with social stigma from being in a family with one parent. Another is fewer resources to help support the child or children financially comes with being in a single parent family. The child also may not get the support they need because the parent is spending extra hours working to make enough money to support the child.
While single parenting, often the parents are so worried about making sure their children are taken care of that they forget to take care of themselves. The parent worries more about work and making sure they have money for the kids that this happens. They find it challenging to balance work and taking care of the children that they do not find it necessary to take care of themselves. In this situation, the parents suffer from malnutrition, stress, frequent illness, and exhaustion (Jeff).
With single parenting there are advantages, disadvantages, and risks. It comes down to how many sacrifices the parent is willing to make to be certain that everything runs smoothly and the child is always taken care of. Single parenting is not always the first choice, but it is something some adults have to deal with.

Work Cited
Amato, Paul R. "The Future of Children, Princeton - Brookings: Providing Research and Analysis to Promote Effective Policies and Programs for Children." - The Future of Children -. N.p., 11 Feb. 2013. Web. 05 Nov. 2014.
Jeff. "Positive and Negative Effects of Single Parenting." Help for Single Mothers. N.p., 9 Jan. 2013. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.
Lanza, Stephanie T., et al. “Modeling the Interplay of Multilevel Risk Factors for Future Academic and Behavior Problems: A Person-Centered Approach.” Development and psychopathology 22.2 (2010): 313-35. ProQuest. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
White, Barbara Dafoe. “Single Parent Families are Harmful.” Single Parent Families. Eds. David Bender, et al. San Diego. Greenhaven Press, 1997, 10-40. Print.

Cited: Amato, Paul R. "The Future of Children, Princeton - Brookings: Providing Research and Analysis to Promote Effective Policies and Programs for Children."  - The Future of Children -. N.p., 11 Feb. 2013. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. Jeff. "Positive and Negative Effects of Single Parenting." Help for Single Mothers. N.p., 9 Jan. 2013. Web. 07 Nov. 2014. Lanza, Stephanie T., et al. “Modeling the Interplay of Multilevel Risk Factors for Future Academic and Behavior Problems: A Person-Centered Approach.” Development and psychopathology 22.2 (2010): 313-35. ProQuest. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. White, Barbara Dafoe. “Single Parent Families are Harmful.” Single Parent Families. Eds. David Bender, et al. San Diego. Greenhaven Press, 1997, 10-40. Print.