Children from Single Parent Homes

Paper Summary:

The paper examines the literature on the adverse outcomes for children from single parent families and focuses on three quantitative studies and the statistical methods used. The paper concludes that there appears to be a significantly higher risk of mental and physical ill health, substance abuse and educational and behavioral problems for children raised in single parent families. The paper notes the different statistical methods and data sets used in these different studies that lend further support to this hypothesis. The paper concludes that policy makers need to consider the health and educational needs which are specific to single parent families.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Literature Review
Findings
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Single parent families comprise a significant portion of the American population, and so it is important to identify the specific needs of this group. Studies which have been conducted indicate that children from single parent families are at an increased risk of mental and physical ill health, and are at increased risk of some specific problems including schizophrenia and psychosis. In addition, children from single parent families are also at increased risk of substance abuse and some other educational and behavioral problems. The large number of studies, across different countries, using different data sets and statistical methods, which give similar conclusions indicates the validity of the data. This therefore supports the theory that policy makers need to take account of there being health and educational needs which are specific to single parent families."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Biblarz, T.J. & Gottainer, G. (2004). Family structure and children's success: A comparison of widowed and divorced single-mother families. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(2): 533-548.
• Kuntsche, E.N. & Silbereisen, R.K. (2004). Parental closeness and adolescent substance use in single and two-parent families in Switzerland. Swiss Journal of Psychology, 63(2): 85-92.
• O'Hare, B. (No date). The Rise - and fall? - of Single Parent Families. Retrieved on September 14, 2008, from: http://www.prb.org/Articles/2001/TheRiseandFallofSingleParentFamilies.aspx.
• Spencer, N. (2005). Does material disadvantage explain the increased risk of adverse health, educational, and behavioral outcomes among children in lone parent households in Britain? A cross sectional study. BMJ, 59: 152-157.
• Taanila, A., Latinen, E., Moilanen, I. & Jarvelin, M.-R. (2004). Effects of family interaction on the child's behavior in single-parent or reconstructed families. Family Process, 41(4): 693-708.

More papers on Children from Single Parent Homes:

• Research Paper # 147872 : "Single-Parent Homes"
• Analytical Essay # 9495 : "Single Parent Families: Are Children Worse Off?"
• Research Paper # 61632 : "Single-Parent Household Students"

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