Young adult single mother Essay Example

age at exposure.

The year 1995 witnessed President Clinton declaring teen pregnancy as an epidemic, which led to the formation of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. In 1996, Congress highlighted the importance of preventing teen pregnancy in welfare reform. President Bush further reinforced this commitment with policies emphasizing sexual abstinence and family values. Nowadays, prevention techniques not only aim at women but also men and utilize a variety of strategies such as media campaigns, mentorship programs, promoting youth empowerment, and cultivating relationship skills.

Despite the continuing discussions regarding the appropriate balance of abstinence, contraception and other strategies, there's no denying that teenage pregnancies have drastically decreased since they became a national concern, plummeting by 33 percent since 1991. This decline can undoubtedly be attributed to various measures implemented over time. However, we are witnessing an increase in another group of vulnerable parents. In 2003, single mothers gave birth to more than 1.4 million children - an exceptional figure constituting 36 percent. Approximately 40 percent of these births were from individual young adult mothers in their early twenties, with nearly three-quarters possessing only a high school diploma or less education. The occurrence of births among unmarried mothers has seen an increase exceeding one-quarter since 1990, with young adults accounting for approximately 60 percent of this escalation.

The remarkable increase in families with only a mother has propelled much of the research on family structure in the recent years. However, this increase might represent shifts to more intricate family structures, rather than a mere single-parent scenario. The presence of other adults in single-parent homes, such as grandparents or others, is frequently overlooked. Moreover, researchers often categorize such family

structures, with both a mother and grandparents, as 'mother-only'.

The article commences with a review of the appropriate context relating to the selected topic, followed by an examination of her life journey along with current theories on family structure's influence on children's attributes and behaviors. Initiating the discussion, we analyze the models of family structural experiences during childhood. Subsequently, we outline the method and indicators employed to assess the significance of current theories.

Finally, it can be inferred that despite the hardships, this single young adult mother can positively navigate through her challenges. This is largely due to her supportive early upbringing and the presence of her multigenerational family who continue to stand by her in her current journey as a mother.

II. Introduction

The individual we have selected for this research paper is a single mother in her late twenties, going by the name of MJ. Currently at the age of 27 when this research was carried out. MJ was born on January 25, 1979, and is the fourth among five siblings. She is the second daughter in her family, which was not very affluent during her upbringing. The family's earnings were barely enough to support the needs of seven members - five children and two adults.

Growing up in Salt Lake City, MJ experienced a challenging childhood. She adopted her father's motto "seize the day to earn money" from a young age and incorporated it into her own lifestyle. Alongside her siblings, she engaged in various part-time jobs to support their education and other needs. Post school, MJ and her sister would either assist neighbours with yard chores or offer babysitting services for a small weekly charge. On

the other hand, her brothers helped meet the family's financial needs by distributing newspapers before school hours and car washing on weekends.

MJ stands refuge in the familiar cycle of work, school, and household chores. Despite experiencing the pressure of scarcity and the inability to catch a break, she values those memories because it marked a period when their family was intact.

During this phase, MJ was oblivious to the rising tide of conflict among her parents. As their parents often chose to quarrel in their absence, MJ and her siblings remained unaware of the consistent disagreement between them. They were clueless about the potential separation that might ensue from their conflict.

MJ hit double figures in age when her parents decided to split up and part ways. This decision compulsively cascaded the children to adjust and accommodate to their parents' arrangements. MJ opted for the easier route by choosing to live with her mother and her mother's parents, in tandem with her elder sister and younger brother. They gradually acclimatised to their new family dynamics minus their father; it felt like a table had lost a leg, representing the disintegration of MJ's family. Her two eldest brothers were, however, already pursuing further studies and self-funded their education; therefore, they were not residing with them.

Navigating through life after the separation of her parents proved difficult for MJ. Her father's absence was emotionally distressing, and she also faced societal pressure at school due to the divorce. This led to a decline in her focus during class that drastically affected her academic results. Once an outstanding student, MJ found herself dropping in class ranking within a year.

MJ realized she was

heading towards a downward trajectory and began aimlessly meandering through life, ignoring all activities that used to bring happiness into her life. Her new circle of friends were no better - they were devoid of any aspirations and simply coasted along in their lives. Since nobody seemed bothered by her frequent absences from home, MJ started dating regularly as a means to escape the stressful environment at home. During this stage of her life, she met Leo and initiated a relationship with him.

Upon discovering her pregnancy at nearly 16 and giving birth to a daughter just before turning 17, MJ was faced with numerous challenges. Initially, she and Leo chose to cohabitate; however, he eventually abandoned MJ and their baby. Lacking financial resources for self-support, MJ found herself compelled to return to her mother's residence.

Initially, MJ felt gloomy and despondent, unsure of ever overcoming her difficult circumstances. The demands of diapers, infant milk, filthy garments and a constantly weeping baby seemed unending and overpowering. To her, the absence of her baby's father was another rejection in her life. The situation compelled her to return to her uncaring mother, which for her felt like ingesting a bitter pill.

The choice MJ made to go back home significantly transformed her life, offering her the assistance necessary for raising her daughter. In due course of time, she secured employment and started providing for herself and her daughter financially. Whenever duty called, either her mother or grandmother would step in as a babysitter - this setup alleviated MJ's worries about leaving her child alone while at work. Plus, she was able to save money that would have otherwise been used

on professional babysitters or childcare centres.

MJ currently resides with her mother and grandparents. Her daughter, Lana, is currently 11 years old, the same age when MJ first began experiencing issues with self-confidence, something she's acutely aware of. MJ is making it a point to be very understanding of Lana's thoughts and troubles at this age, in an effort to avoid making the same mistakes in the past. MJ's mother, who cohabits with them, is also available to help and support Lana as needed, especially when MJ is occupied or at work.

III. Prevailing Hypotheses

The United States took major steps to prevent teenage pregnancies which resulted in significant advancements. Nevertheless, a growing number of women are now evading pregnancy during their teenage years but become single mothers in their early 20s. Their initiation into parenthood is usually unsound and risky for the welfare of the child, yet the policy responses to this issue aren't as sufficient.

Every year, around 415,000 births are accounted for by teenage mothers (42 out of 1,000), but this number is surpassed by the 550,000 yearly births among young unmarried adults (71 per every 1,000 single women aged between 20 and 24). These figures underscore a rate of childbearing in unwed adults that surpasses even the so-called "epidemic" levels of teen pregnancies. Research indicates that almost half of children born to single mothers live in poverty - a rate quadruple than those from married parents. In comparison with children from married couples, these kids show increased rates of substance misuse, higher chances of male incarceration and teenage pregnancy at two to three times greater ratios. Single mothers involved in non-marital relationships don't exhibit

much improvement either. The likelihood their relationships will terminate within five years is double compared to those of married mothers'. Their children face over twice the poverty rate along with poorer academic and behavior outcomes and significantly higher exposure to hazardous situations compared with those from wedded parents.

Various scholarly works in social sciences discuss a range of causal factors linking family structure with children's outcomes. A specific study centers on two primary theories – stress and social control while also considering one more potential mechanism: family income, as underscored by the economic resource theory.

The stress hypothesis posits that the primary trigger for the effect of family structure on children is changes in family dynamics. It maintains that any modification in a family's configuration necessitates revisions to familial roles, which subsequently impacts parental care and support. Key elements of this theory revolve around events associated with parental marriage. The reorganization of a family due to circumstances like divorce or (re)marriage is thought to be detrimental to both parents and kids. Consequences such as weakened emotional safety and relationships are considered precursors to behavioral problems in children. (McLanahan 1988)

MJ experienced extreme stress following her parents' divorce. She was too young to adapt effectively to the transformation within her family unit. This sudden shift, along with the loss of much-needed support at the time (she was only ten), significantly impacted her life. As she was the youngest girl in her family, her difficulties were frequently overlooked, causing her struggle inefficiently with issues on her own.

The idea of societal oversight is thought to be stronger in proportion to the number of adults present in a child's home. However, this

control tends to weaken as the relationship between the child and adult becomes more distant. Some types of parents such as stepparents or substitute parents like grandparents, are more likely to exhibit less authority or social regulation due to their uncertain relation with the child and unclear parental roles. (Cherlin 1978)

In regards to MJ, the impact of the adult figures in her household was barely noticeable in her life, especially during challenging periods. Even though she had her grandparents around, they were not able to replace absent parents nor assume any parenting responsibilities. As a result, MJ found herself growing apart from her family when these adult presences started losing their relevance.

Economic hardship theory illustrates family income as the key component, which is inclined to fluctify based on the family structure. Single-parent families, mainly mother-only, usually have less income compared to two-parent families. The transformation in family income aligns with its own transitions, for instance, children's family income significantly falls after parents' marital disruption and recovers upon parental (re)marriage. Distinctively discerning the impact of income from other family structure's influences can be challenging without precise and all-inclusive measurements of both throughout childhood. Such measurements have been scarcely acquired in past studies. (Weiss 1979)

MJ's family's trials intensified due to the divorce, resulting in only their mother's sole income to rely on. Despite moving in with their grandparents, the income was still insufficient for survival. As a consequence, MJ's family income plummeted, thereby escalating the already strenuous situation.

Studies consistently show that children who grow up in non-traditional homes often face more difficulties. Research implies these correlations aren't just because of certain observed and unobserved family traits (Sandefur

and Wells, 1997). The struggle of children from non-traditional homes aligns with theories of social control, stress, and financial hardships.

The case of MJ continuously presents findings that are interrelated. After her parents separated, MJ's mother stopped overseeing the family matters, resulting in each child having to look after themselves. The lack of parental supervision and direction heightened MJ's stress levels. This was further exacerbated by her having to handle this strain alone. It was therefore expected that MJ, being an impressionable young girl, chose to spend more time with her friends as a means of distancing herself from her family problems. This became her way of dealing with her individual challenges.

Research more closely associated with social control theory shows that children from single-parent households are more vulnerable to peer pressure compared to their counterparts in two-parent homes (Steinberg 1987). An absence of social control combined with a heightened focus on peers may cause these children to face higher frequencies of disciplinary issues, and more severe engagements in dating and sexual activities during adolescence. Such behaviors could push youngsters to abandon their education prematurely and rush into familial relationships or partnerships, which might be most influential during their teenage years. Perspectives from different examinations show that disruption in parental marriage leads to earlier and more common engagement in sexual activities, out-of-wedlock pregnancies and childbirths, and premature establishment of partnerships. Some observable evidence suggests that insufficient parental supervision could be one of the executing factors.

The case of MJ perfectly illustrates the argument made in this article. After her family no longer provided her with comfort and refuge following their divorce, she started seeking companionship, joy, excitement, and

empathy outside of her family, particularly among new friends. The previous paragraph suggests that diminished social control can lead to increased dating and sexual activity. This exactly captures MJ's situation as she dedicated more time to dating. Her relationship with Leo was born out of this lack of societal control, resulting in a premature pregnancy and an unexpected disruption in her early life, a situation she was certainly not ready to handle yet.

The research conducted by McLanahan and Sandefur in 1994 demonstrated that young individuals from single-parent households were more prone to high school dropout, lower chances of college enrollment and graduation, greater likelihood of unemployment and school absence, and increased tendency to become teenage parents. This unfortunate trend was evident in MJ's case, following her parents' separation. MJ never intended to abandon her education, yet, due to the numerous challenges she felt she was confronting alone, she sought comfort outside her family, compounding her struggles. This approach only escalated her issues. Consequently, her involvement in dating and sexual activities led to an unexpected pregnancy.

IV. Predictions

Unlike the somewhat expected results, an interesting and significant discovery from the current research is the recognition of a set of single mothers whose children prosper because of the evident positive impact of living in a multi-generational home. It was observed among children born to unmarried mothers, those who resided with their parent and a co-habiting grandparent at any time prior to turning 15 demonstrated superior educational outcomes compared to those who grew up solely with their single mother.

MJ might have experienced a difficult life, yet it seems clear that her years invested in raising her daughter have

yielded significant personal growth. Currently, the entirety of her focus is the wellbeing of her child. Given this realization, the current setup of MJ's family — cohabiting with her mother and grandparents— should be beneficial for her daughter. The multidimensional aspect of MJ's existing family setup may suggest that it is primarily upheld by the grandparents, which brings the advantage from wisdom collected from a lifetime of raising children.

Undoubtedly, some research highlights the adverse effects on single mothers who continue to live with their parents. It suggests these single mothers are less well-adjusted and lack the necessary resources or motivation to live independently (Chase-Landsdale et al 1994). If this assessment is accurate, it implies we would primarily witness a negative correlation between multi-generational living and the outcomes for youth. However, the presence of a positive correlation instead suggests a potent causal relationship of the multigenerational family structure.

Numerous unmarried mothers embark on parenting filled with lofty dreams for their kids and the conviction that their affection can conquer major hurdles. However, they promptly substitute these aspirations with a pursuit for fundamental survival. Initially, they fear, yet eventually accept the possibility that their offspring might tread on identical routes leading to lone parenthood, narcotics, and imprisonment. Consequently, they reinterpret success as unconditionally loving their children regardless of the circumstances.

One explanation for the beneficial results observed in children from families spanning multiple generations is primarily because grandparents offer various resources that are instrumental in lessening adverse effects that children might otherwise endure, especially for young mothers with low income living in poor neighborhoods. Nonetheless, it's important to remember that grandparents cannot replace the role of biological parents.

MJ is

expected to strive diligently to finish her education in one form or another. The forecast suggests that she will have earned her high school diploma and concluded her post-secondary studies within the next five years. At present, MJ prioritizes her daughter over herself. If she maintains the drive, determination, and self-control shown during her younger years before getting divorced, it's certain that MJ can achieve what she sets out to do.

V. Wrapping Up

Over the years, the negative perception associated with single motherhood has gradually reduced. While it might appear that there's an increased incidence of births outside marriage, this is not entirely accurate as fewer women are choosing to marry prior to childbirth solely to prevent having a child out of wedlock. This trend can be traced back from the early 1960s all the way to late 1980s. The decline in such marriages was particularly notable among White women, plunging from approximately 61 percent down to 34 percent - a drop significantly larger than Black (dipping from 31 percent down to 8 percent) or Hispanic women (lowering from 33 percent down to 23 percent).9

As time has progressed, abortion rates have gone down and there's also been a noticeable decrease in the number of White babies being put up for adoption.

The importance of families in the social development, nurturing, and schooling of children demands a careful examination of the increasing trend of single-parent families. This leads to questions about whether these single-parent households can adequately meet these requirements or if they are more likely to experience social dysfunction or issues. To correctly respond to these questions, we must understand who these single parents are. Releasing

prior beliefs might reveal some reasons for the growth in single-parent households, thus shedding light on our concerns.

Numerous families struggle financially, which is only partially depicted in the federal poverty statistics. Several institutions evaluate the necessities of families based on "self-sufficiency standards" or "basic family budgets", which are more accurate indicators than the federal poverty level to gauge the income necessary for a "safe and decent standard of living." These criteria are tailored to various communities and family structures. The intersection of poverty and one or more socio-demographic hazards, such as single parenthood, low levels of education, or having more than three children, considerably increases the risk for negative behavioral, emotional, and educational outcomes for children in these households.

Rising work expectations and stress have forced families to make hard choices regarding their relationships and daily practices. Regrettably, the struggle to equilibrate between family obligations and work responsibilities proves unsuccessful for many households. For instance, MJ's family underwent this predicament which eventually resulted in her parents' dissolution of marriage and divorce. This scenario subsequently pushed MJ into a solitary parenting lifestyle.

For a young single mother, assuming the dual roles of a caregiver and breadwinner at once can be doubly demanding. The existence of an intergenerational household can offer these young single mothers an opportunity to rejuvenate their individual motivation and thrive. The immediate assistance offered within the household, a spot which should instigate comfort and serenity, serves as a vital aid and encouragement. Such an environment often results in healthier children, both physically and emotionally, since their mothers are less overwhelmed and more attentive. Ultimately, this environment is advantageous for both mother and child as it

fosters a peaceful atmosphere at home which could envisage an alternative future for both of them.