SINGLE PARENTING
Research and statistics appear to show that there are negative effects of single parenting, but are these caused by single parenting itself; or a consequence of other circumstances common to many single parents? I suggest that it is not as straightforward as the commentators would have us believe.
Single parenting has been the focus of much interest and research in recent years due no doubt to the increase in the incidence of birth outside of marriage and divorce. There are many negative effects of single parenting that are mentioned in the media on a regular basis. Among these are:
~negative social stigma
~reduced educational attainment
~economic deprivation
~social problems like anti-social behaviour
~psychological problems like self concept
Social Stigma
One of the negative effects of single parenting is the social stigma. I certainly felt the stigma when I was a single parent, but whether that came from within me or from society I don 't know. Probably a bit of both. I guess I had never wanted to be a single parent, but for me it was far better than being in an abusive marriage. It was not just better for me, but better for the kids as well.
In reality I think there is far less social stigma attached to single parents than there used to be. In any case attaching a stigma to a condition that the majority of people don 't choose to be in, is unhelpful. What would be constructive, would be to support and educate single mothers to enable them to do their best for their children and themselves.
The results of a Dutch study gave some support to the notion that the weak social position of the mother is a cause of the negative effects of single parenting. Therefore all the more reason to value women and mothers in society and lessen the impact of divorce on our children.
Lower Educational Attainment
Another of the negative effects of single parenting is lower educational attainment. It 's often cited that children from single parent households do less
Single parenting has been the focus of much interest and research in recent years due no doubt to the increase in the incidence of birth outside of marriage and divorce. There are many negative effects of single parenting that are mentioned in the media on a regular basis. Among these are:
~negative social stigma
~reduced educational attainment
~economic deprivation
~social problems like anti-social behaviour
~psychological problems like self concept
Social Stigma
One of the negative effects of single parenting is the social stigma. I certainly felt the stigma when I was a single parent, but whether that came from within me or from society I don 't know. Probably a bit of both. I guess I had never wanted to be a single parent, but for me it was far better than being in an abusive marriage. It was not just better for me, but better for the kids as well.
In reality I think there is far less social stigma attached to single parents than there used to be. In any case attaching a stigma to a condition that the majority of people don 't choose to be in, is unhelpful. What would be constructive, would be to support and educate single mothers to enable them to do their best for their children and themselves.
The results of a Dutch study gave some support to the notion that the weak social position of the mother is a cause of the negative effects of single parenting. Therefore all the more reason to value women and mothers in society and lessen the impact of divorce on our children.
Lower Educational Attainment
Another of the negative effects of single parenting is lower educational attainment. It 's often cited that children from single parent households do less
References: By Dr. Keith Ablow Published July 22, 2012