Effect of Single Parenting to Children Essay

Traditionally, a family is viewed to be composed of a mother, father, and a child or children. Family is also considered as a sacred that should be bind by love. In a family, the mother is tasked to take care of the child and the family while and father is responsible for the financial matter. In addition, in the conservative point of view and even practiced in the early days, a woman who bears a child out of wedlock suffers societal humiliation. In some countries, such woman is also being punished or even executed because having a son outside a marriage was considered as a sin. However, in the present era, pre-marital sex, divorce, single parenthood is highly accepted in the society. Woman and man are now liberated. In the society, a family does not necessarily require two parents. But rather, it has been accepted that family can be composed of a mother or a father and a child. Due to various factors, single parenthood cannot be prevented. The rise of the percentage of man or woman entering into a stage of single parenthood was brought about by their adventurism and liberation (Magnier). According to research, there are two out of ten women who are single parent (Magnier). The number is also increasing due to various factors. Consequently, a single parent affects the development of the child. The overall development of a child would certainly be affected when reared by a single parent. As to financial matter, there is tendency that needs and wants of the child will not be provided by the single parent. Notably, one of the advantages of having a complete family is that the mother and father are partners in sustaining the financial needs of the family. In a single parent family, the economic deprivation would create stress and strain not only to the parent but also to the child (â€Å"Single Parent Families- The Effects on Children. †). As a result, the child would develop self-pity and have a tendency of being rebellious if his needs and wants are not given. More importantly, through problem in income, the single parent may not be able to provide proper education and healthcare to the child. The economic status of the single parent greatly affects the development of the child. According to research, a considerable percentage is composed of single parent. Since the single parent hardly provides a good life to the child, the tendency would be to live in an inferior and populated housing system (Bornstein 110). As a consequence, the child would be exposed to a deteriorated and dangerous neighborhood (Bornstein 110). Exposures to such kind of neighborhood would increase their tendency of engaging in illegal activities or commission of crimes. Additionally, both sociologist and psychologists believe that a child of a single parent experiences difficulties in his or her emotional and psychological adjustment (Bornstein 109). The child’s school performance and educational attainment is likewise affected (Bornstein 109). The child experiences difficulties because of his or her exposure to criticism, ridicule, and discrimination. It is noteworthy that as the child grows, he is exposed to a wider social environment. Among children, their mental capability of understanding the issue is not clear because they believe that a family is composed of a mother and a father. Single parenthood would create in their minds several questions that will eventually make them conclude that a child of a single parent is pitiful and disgraceful. These prove that single parent is more susceptible to societal predicaments. The societal problem will instill in child’s mind an unwanted emotional state. The child of a single parent has also the tendency of entering into marriage at an early age, pre-marital sex, drug abuse, gangs, and other societal problems. Moreover, the child would likely become more aggressive and rebellious as a result of the discriminations he or she may suffer (Magnier). In some children, they may develop inferiority as they find it hard to compete with others in many aspects. Although the aggressive or rebellious behavior of the child may not appear at an earlier stage, such may be developed as the child grows. Hence, it is necessary for the parent to guide the child’s development. As to educational aspect of the child, the absence of a father or a mother greatly affects the child’s performance. In school, there are activities that require the presence of the parents. But, in the case of a child having a single parent, cooperation in such activities would be impossible. Among the effects includes higher absentee rates at school, higher dropout rates, lower level of education, and engagement in delinquent activities such as drug addiction and alcohol abuse (â€Å"Single Parent Families- The Effects on Children. †). If these continue as the child grows, the child may end up to nothing and be involved in criminal activities. From the above stated, it is clear that single parenthood extensively contributes to the development of the child. The mental, emotional, physical, psychological, and social aspect of the child is impaired by the nature of the family he or she is exposed to. As the child grows, he or she is exposed to discrimination because of having a single parent. In addition, the child is deprived of the feeling of having a father or a mother. Significantly, a child demands a lot of things and becomes inquisitive as he or she grows. As a consequence, the single parent would deny or make excuses until the child stop asking. However, on the part of the child, a mental and emotional state would be developed. Furthermore, the child would become a society’s problem if not properly reared by the parent. Hence, in order to prevent the negative consequences of a single parenthood on the child, it is necessary that the parent should exert every effort in guiding the child as he or she grows. Works cited Bornstein, Marc H. Handbook of Parenting: Being and Becoming a Parent. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2002. Magnier, Jenny. 14 March 2007. â€Å"The Effects of Single Parenting on Children. † Ezine Articles. 7 April 2009 < http://ezinearticles. com/? The-Effects-Of-Single-Parenting-On-Children&id=488617>. â€Å"Single Parent Families- The Effects on Children. † 2008. Marriage and Family Encyclopedia. 7 April 2009 .