Abstract This paper discusses how historically the concept of the singleparent family in the United States has led to the belief that when one individual attempts to raise a child there will be hardships and family failure. This is contended because of the reliance of the family on one income and the dual roles that many singleparents are forced to play in raising their children. Single mothers act as caregiver disciplinarian financial head of household and housekeeper. The paper further discusses how in addition to these responsibilities most single moms have full-time jobs, and statistics indicate that the majority of single mothers in the country receive no financial support from fathers. Yet, despite the abundance of negative elements that may be possible in the world of the singleparent, there is an absolute possibility of success for the singleparent to raise a family in this country.
Abstract This paper finds evidence that children raised in single-parent families can achieve the same level of well-being as those raised in two-parent families. The author points out that so-called "single-parent families" often have other family members or partners substituting for the missing parent.
From the Paper "When compared to the nuclear family, single parent households are just as capable of raising healthy well-adjusting children. Despite much evidence to the contrary, the effect of living in a single parent household does not necessarily have a ..."
Tags:Single-parent, two-parent, family configuration, well-being, achievement, delinquency
Abstract This paper presents a policy briefly outlining where the province of Ontario is failing singleparents on welfare (or, more generally, singleparents struggling to survive economically). The paper explores the problem, the nature and history of the issue and the stakeholders involved. It then looks at what the government (at least at the provincial level) can do and what is being done in other (European) jurisdictions. Finally, the paper discusses two possible policy options that hold out significant promise.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
History of the Issue
Stakeholders and Policy Recommendations
Governments and the Issue
Economics and Politics
What other Jurisdictions are Doing
Two Possible Options that Might Work
From the Paper "In the end, social workers concerned about the rampant phenomenon of single parents in Ontario finding themselves trapped on social welfare can generally agree that something different from the prevailing provincial approach to the issue is needed. First of all, the minimum wage needs to be raised to at least $10 per hour and OW benefits need to be increased, as well. Simply put, ridiculously low wages give people little incentive to leave welfare behind exacerbate the cycle of poverty. Furthermore, child care services need to be implemented in full in this province - and that means money should be put towards new facilities. A huge amount of money is not necessarily required, but if a small percentage of funds allocated for social welfare were instead put into state-funded childcare facilities, that might be just what single parents need in order to re-access the labor force."
Abstract This paper discusses how as more and more singleparents have moved, by necessity or choice, from the home into the workforce, the need for affordable, quality childcare has become a crucial social issue and how there is an enormous impact and cost placed on singleparents. It provides an analysis of the existing problems surrounding childcare, as well as local, state and federal recommendations to expand child care for singleparents and to improve quality and implications of these changes. It evaluates how quality childcare, educational programs and after-school activities are extremely helpful to singleparents and provide creative ways for them to shoulder the responsibility of raising children while working.
Outline
Statement of the Problem
Goals and Objectives
Significance of the Problem
Community Involvement
Mobilizing the Media and Officials
Solutions and Policy Recommendations
Benefits to Special Population and People of Color
Implementation
Evaluation
From the Paper "For single parents, childcare costs can pose a significant barrier to entering the workforce. In many cases, single parents to have a hard time finding affordable, safe care in close proximity to their homes or work that meet their scheduling requirements.
Even if single parents are able to find a childcare program that is affordable and meets their individual needs, there are faced with another problem?the quality of childcare. Many affordable childcare solutions have unsafe environments, including unsanitary conditions and a lack of supervision."
Abstract The paper offers a brief discussion of the definition of socialpolicy and then traces the history of the development of welfarepolicy in Australia. To analyse how efficiently the current delivery of socialpolicy achieves its goal, the paper focuses on the two key welfarepolicy areas of education and employment. The paper argues that in these key policy areas, the delivery of socialpolicy does not completely fulfil its social goals and aims. The paper contends that socialpolicy is shaped by changing needs and values, thus the delivery of welfare must reflect these changes to ensure efficient and effective socialpolicy.
From the Paper "In its common form as it is most often applied, 'social policy' has connotations of equality through the provision of welfare and the redistribution of resources (Graycar & Jamrozik 1993, p. 54). This definition is further extended by McClelland (2006a, p. 7), who adds that social policy involves debates about values, and assumptions of the behaviour of members of a society. The scope of social policy is broad, in that there are a wide-range of factors which influence it. This can include factors such as economic, political, and historical contexts (Jones 1996, p. 30; McClelland 2006a, p. 18). Economic policy, for example, often determines the resource allocation aspects of social welfare policy (Smyth 1994, p. 39). Given this broad scope of social policy, social welfare should be viewed not in isolation, but as part of the broader contexts of a society. This is an important point to consider, as this often affects the aims of a social policy goal, and also the effectiveness of social policy as an instrument."
Abstract A paper on the evolving work force and the trends that have forced employers to offer better benefits like child care to the singleparents whose number is increasing in the business world as the divorce rate increases.
Abstract This paper examines how single-parent households are common due to divorce, death of a spouse, the increased number of unmarried individuals raising children, and other socio-economic reasons. It explores how this gradual change in demographics over the years has greatly impacted the lives of children from all backgrounds and how one of these impacts has concerned the relocation of the custodial parent. It examines how this continues to be a much-debated issue that is not close to being resolved.
From the Paper "About 11 million children or 28 percent of all children under 18 live in homes with only one parent according to the Bureau of the Census. This is more than triple than that in 1960, although the increase has slowed. In about 85 percent of these single-parent households, the mother is custodian, although the number of father-only families more than doubled between 1980 and 1982. One of the major effects of single-parenting is the reduction in income. Married fathers earn the most, followed by single fathers and then single mothers. A large proportion of single mothers are either at or just above poverty rates. This significantly affects health and physical and mental well being."
This paper is a research project which seeks to prove the link between children from single-parent households and poor academic performance in school and to pose specific solutions to reverse this trend.
Abstract This paper explains that, although the study could not determine if single-parent status is a sole cause, it does conclude that single-parent household status is linked inextricably to a low-income status and the propensity for the student to be involved in crime. The author states that data was gathered from secondary sources, such as textbook, journal, periodical and reliable internet sources, with an emphasis on establishing correlations through quantitative data and on suggesting policy and funding initiatives through qualitative data. The paper recommends that (1) teacher awareness of single-parent status is critical, (2) peer counseling helps to improve grades for students from single-parent homes, (3) administrative sensitivity to single-parent status of a school district's students is key, but confidentiality must be maintained throughout and (4) extracurricular activities help improve academic performance for students from single-parent households; therefore, funding for these activities must increase.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Literature Review
Introduction
Overarching Challenges Facing Single-Parent Students
Single-Parent Household Children's Challenges in School Districts
Teacher Awareness of Single-Parent Status of Student
Careful Student Peer Counseling is a Critical Necessary Component
School Districts Must Encourage Confidential Journal Writing Programs
Managing School District Administration's Sensitivity While Maintaining Confidentiality
The Effect of Extracurricular Activities
Trained Professional Counselors
Scholarships to Incentivize At-Risk Students to Perform Better Academically
Methodology
Approach
Data Gathering Method
Database of the Study
Validity of Data
Originality and Limitations of Data
Summary of Chapter
Data Analysis
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
From the Paper "And, needless to say, the missing parents are often not at all involved in their children's lives. According to the Alabama Department of Human Resources, nationally, 40 percent of children whose fathers live outside the home simply have no contact with them. And it is not as though those fathers who do have contact with their children are generally integrally involved. Specifically, the other 60 percent had contact with their children an average of 69 days during the year.Perhaps this is because fathers often are not geographically close to their biological children -- 26 percent of absent fathers live in a different state than their children, according to the Department of Human Resources at Alabama in 2005."
Abstract The paper states that in American society there are many children who are raised in singleparent homes. The paper, in discussing various studies, highlights the fact that singleparent homes are comparable to two parent homes. This particular topic is important because of the sheer number of children who are raised in singleparent homes. The paper discusses a proposed study that will assist parents, teachers, social workers and others, who work with children, in understanding the issues the children may face as a result of their familial situations. The paper emphasizes that the findings of the study will contribute to the body of knowledge concerning singleparent and two parent homes and their impact upon children.
From the Paper "Another study entitled "Just the two of us: Parent-Child Relationships in Single-Parent homes", researched the strengths and weaknesses of the individualist and micro- structural theories as it pertained to the gender differences in parent child relationships. The study concluded that for four out of the five variables parental gender did not affect child outcomes. The only exception was school discipline. The study found that when a male is the custodial parent children tend to have fewer problems in school."
Abstract The paper examines the literature on the adverse outcomes for children from singleparent 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 singleparent 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 singleparent 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."
Abstract This paper discusses how singleparents and their children constitute a rapidly growing population in America, a product of a high divorce rate and changing social mores. It further discusses how single-parent households were once the result of the father leaving and while this is still very much the case today, such families now also include more single fathers, unwed teenage mothers and other singleparents, creating a new interest in this population.
From the Paper "Research also shows that single parent homes are more likely to be associated with criminal activity and that children from single-parent homes account for 72 percent of teenage murders (Tanner, 1995). Some single parent families are harder hit by economic change than others, and it has long been true that women and single mothers, and especially those from minority groups, have been hit the hardest by structural changes in the economy, such as the declining productivity growth and increasing global competition along with the disappearance of the manufacturing base. From the end of World War II to the 1960's, the U.S. led the world in the export of manufactured goods, but by 1970, West Germany had surpassed the U.S. in exports so that by the 1980's West Germany exceeded U.S. exports by 22%. Entire segments of the American manufacturing sector have declined or completely disappeared, with major losses in the manufacture of cameras, copiers, video recorders, audio equipment, machine tools, and steel. To remain competitive, many companies have had to restructure of downsize, and the loss of jobs involved has reduced the possible jobs for single mothers (Bowen, Desimone, & McKay, 1995). "
Abstract The paper shows that there has been much debate centered on the growing number of singleparents raising children and how society tends to blame singleparent homes for the majority of ills including drug abuse, violent crimes and juvenile delinquency. While there are some singleparent households headed by men, the overwhelming majority of singleparent homes are headed by women. The paper shows that this fact sparks another concern, since the average household income for the female singleparent is a mere 24,000 per year, which depending on the size of the family could mean that many singleparent households are living at or below the poverty rate. The paper questions that with the apparent negatives of being a child in a singleparent household, is it a valid conclusion to say that on average, children of singleparent households are worse of than their counterparts living in a two-parent household? This paper also discusses how children of singleparents cope emotionally and how they fare academically relative to their peers.
From the Paper "They may also be more knowledgeable, cultured and well rounded if they have two sets of families to learn from and be loved by. These aspects may help them become more determined to succeed in their endeavors, teach them to become great leaders and valuable contributors to their families and to society. Single parent families are not economic bads, as a matter of fact, many of the worlds great leaders, visionaries, entertainers, politicians, TV personalities and others who make a valuable contribution to society every day are products of single parent homes."
Tags: fatherless, juvenile, delinquency, independence, responsibility, underage, sex
