Can Single Parents Raise Successful Children? Essay Example

to marry do so because they want to create a stable home for their family.If there is a great deal of conflict in a marriage or relationship, a change to a single-parent family could result in a reduction in tension, hostility and discord and an increase in family solidarity and consistency.

It may be the children of parents who remain together despite constant conflict, who often encounter problems. When anxiety is high between parents, children's emotional needs could be ignored, rules are not consistently enforced and children feel less secure. When the tension is alleviated, however, single parents can focus on their children's needs.A single parent with good parenting skills can raise children successfully without a partner by building a good support system. As they enter adulthood, they will make better choices if they have a healthy sense of self-worth.

The way they gauge this is how the people who love them treat them(Unknown, 2008). If a mom or dad consistently tear down the other parent in front of the child the child is left to think that he is half-bad. If parents eliminated this one mistake children would feel affirmed instead of degraded.Children of single parents may be no more likely to suffer from low self-esteem than their peers from a two-parent home.

Rather, other factors, such as income level, may be a deciding factor relating to a child's self-esteem. Parents should emphasize to their children that who they are is not based on what they have. A strong sense of self-esteem helps children resist negative peer pressure and gives them the confidence to face challenges and try new things (Unknown, 2008). With

positive discipline, a single parent can raise a successful child.

The single parent should recognize and accept the reason the child is doing what, in their judgment, is the wrong thing. This validates the legitimacy of the child's desires and illustrates that the parent is an understanding person(Editorial Staff, n. d. ). It shows the child that the adult is wiser, in charge, not afraid to be the leader, and occasionally has priorities other than those of the child. In some situations, after firmly stating what is not to be done, a single parent can demonstrate how to do it, or a better way.

A parent can help the child think about alternatives and solutions to problems.Adolescents in single parent homes know how very difficult it is to keep a family going. Their experiences can give them respect for marriage and relationships. They may plan to delay marriage and to select a mate very carefully. They may also realize that they should prepare themselves to be capable of supporting a one-parent family both emotionally and financially for they know this is a real possibility. Children who grow up in single parent homes learn to assume responsibility.

Children of one-parent families, out of necessity, must assume more responsibility at home.They quickly learn to appreciate the things that parents work hard to provide. Children in one-parent homes have realistic and cautious views of marriage and family life. Children and parents in singe parent homes develop self-reliance. Because the children have only one resident parent and that parent is probably employed, they will often be at home alone. As long as safety concerns have been addressed, children can learn

to enjoy being on their own and can take care of their own needs (World News Connection, 2008).

Being able to be content alone as well as with other people is a value adjustment.Self-concepts are strengthened. Initially, many single parents and their children experience a severe drop in their economic and social standings as well as in self-concepts. Most experience guilt feelings and a sense of hopelessness. However, overcoming their negative concept is, in itself, a proof of inner strength.

Much of the earlier help is from forces outside the family, as many single parents and their children are helped by support groups and counseling. However, most of the future strength comes from within the family.As family members recover, they develop self-esteem that makes them grow both individually and as a family (World News Connection, 2008). Children in single parent families gain a special understanding of adults.

Children who grow up in single parent homes know that adults need help from others. Because their parent does not have a spouse, the child is often confided in and the child develops empathy and an ability to comfort the parent, as long as the parent does not go over-board and expect the child to take care of all the emotional needs of the parent.Single parents still need friends of their own for support(Single Parent Magazine, 2008). Parent-child relationships are strengthened.

Children and parents, who weather the crisis of becoming a single parent family, usually find that their relationship is strengthened. As they experience the joys and frustrations of one-parent home life, they become more loving, communicative and supportive. They are mutually dependent upon one another. This creates

an especially strong parent-child bond. Effective parenting skills and healthy relationships are what make a family whole.Single parents have raised many well-rounded, successful people.

Many negative predictions for children raised by a single parent have more to do with economic hardship than the lack of one parent(Single Parent Magazine, 2008). The same characteristics that make single-parent families strong can be found in strong families in general. No family is perfect and there is no one right way to be a family. Think about what is important for your family. Approximately 84% of custodial parents are mothers, and 16% of custodial parents are fathers. 9% of custodial single mothers are gainfully employed, 50% work full time, year round, and 29% work part-time or part-year.

92% of custodial single fathers are gainfully employed, 74% work full time, year round, and 18% work part-time or part-year. 27. 7% of custodial single mothers and their children live in poverty and 11. 1% of custodial single fathers and their children live in poverty.

References “All Alone Raising a Child. ” The Single Parent Magazine. Posted by gem on June 5, 2008. http://thesingleparenttalks. et/tag/single-parent/ “Being a Single Parent.

” American Academy of Family Physicians. Written by familydoctor. orgeditorialstaff. http://familydoctor. org/online/famdocen/home/articles/844.

html “Rewards Of Life As A Single Mom. ” World News Connection; 05/10/2008. Unknown. http://search.

ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=tsh&AN=IAP20080510950055&site=ehost-live Schuyler, David. "Single parent plan. " The Business Journal-Milwaukee 18.

18 (Jan 19, 2001): 17. General OneFile. Gale. Apollo Library.

3 July 2008