Single Parenting Implications

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the impact on the children involved in families with just one parent. It discusses possible adverse effects, such as developmental issues, increased sexual promiscuity, higher incidences of substance abuse, behavioral disorders and diminished academic performance. The paper then aims to determine what factors are involved in causing these effects and how best to resolve them.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Chapter One:
Introduction
Chapter 2
Effects of Single Parenthood on Educational Outcomes
Chapter 3
Increased Incidence of Children Becoming at Risk Due to Single Parenthood
Chapter 4
Summary and Conclusions

From the Paper:

"In summary, the review of the literature supports the assumption that increases in single parenthood have indeed reduced children's economic well-being; while cohabitating couples were at a slight economic advantage over single-parent households, they were still worse off than married-parent households. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that increases in marriage could be expected to provide a concomitant economic benefit for children in cohabitating and single-family homes. An increase in the number of two-parent homes would also spell the difference between academic success and failure for many children today, not to mention the proven benefits to reducing the incidence of at risk behaviors and criminal activities typically associated with single-family homes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abbott, D. A., Davis, M. E., Meredith, W. H., & Self-Kelly, R. (1997). The influence of a Big Brothers Program on the adjustment of boys in single-parent families. Journal of Psychology, 131(2), 144.
• Amato, P. R. (2000) Diversity within single-parent families: In Handbook of family diversity. New York: Oxford.
• Battjes, R. J., Gordon, M. S., & Kinlock, T. W. (2004). Correlates of early substance use and crime among adolescents entering outpatient substance abuse treatment. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 30(1), 39.
• Biblarz, T. (1999) Family structure, educational attainment, and socioeconomic success: Rethinking the "pathology of matriarchy." American Journal of Sociology.
• Booth, A., & Dunn, J. F. (1996). Family-school links: How do they affect educational outcomes? Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

More papers on Single Parenting Implications:

• Essay # 29554 : "Single Parents and Child Care"
• Term Paper # 93236 : "Effects of Divorce on Children"
• Research Paper # 52655 : "Child Abuse and Depression in Latino Children"

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