Single parent families - Essay Example

Usually, pregnancy outside of wedlock means the mother of the child will be raising children alone. While social mores have changed concerning out of wedlock children and divorce, the fact that these negatively impact children cannot be denied. Growing up in a single parent household holds many disadvantages and few advantages. The greatest of these disadvantages is the amount of stress experienced by the children and parents in this family. The stresses experienced in a single parent family have a negative impact on the health, educational success and career opportunities for all members of the family.

A recent study suggests that high level of stress for mothers may affect the quality of care they can provide for their children (Bronnemann, 2005). The biggest stress reported by single mothers in this study was the constant need for choosing between earning a living and providing quality childcare. Single mothers are the sole providers for the family. Their occupation often requires them to work when called upon. Single mothers must take care of the children in all ways. They report that often, they need to give up caring for a child so they can keep the job that supports the family.

Mothers report that they sometimes need to delay doctor’s visits for themselves or their children when the work schedule must take precedence. This sometimes results in longer illnesses and more missed school and work. Another duty that single parents often feel they cannot fulfill is assisting their children with their education. Single parents often find that their children come home to an empty house or are sent to some sort o f after school care provided by friends or family. These situations are not ideal for getting homework done or being available to help with school assignments.

Single parents report that they have a difficult time communicating with teachers when they have concerns because they are working through the school day. Students living in single parent families are often expected to do their work without the guidance of a parent at home. Single mothers report that they often return from work to the many domestic duties such as cooking, cleaning and shopping that would normally be shared with a spouse. They recognize that education is important, but so is providing the necessities of life.

When forced to choose, many single mothers find they must work on providing food instead of providing help with schoolwork. This inability to do both limits the educational progress of some children in single parent homes. The same is true for single parents. Educational opportunities are limited due to the inability to attend classes and provide adequate childcare. This creates a stressful situation for the parent. They often find that they are stuck in their current position because the necessary education to move up cannot be obtained.

Single parent homes make obtaining education difficult for children and parents. A final result of the stresses single parent families experience is the career possibilities of the children. Children growing-up in single parent families are more likely to live in poverty and suffer from all of the disadvantage that poverty brings. This includes long-term problems such as unemployablility of the attainment of low-level employment that does not provide enough income to escape poverty. Children growing up in the stresses of a single parent home have fewer career opportunities