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The Struggles of Being a Single Parent

The Struggles of Being a Single Parent essay

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How Does Society View Single Parents? Research Paper

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Introduction

Single parent, how society views single parenthood, works cited.

Single families face various challenges as they try to bring up their children like other families. They also face stigmatization in some societies where they are rejected and disapproved. In addition, some religious sectors like Islam and Christianity do not show open support for single parenthood, especially if its causes are contrary to their beliefs.

Single parents therefore face problems from all corners, ranging from schools, government positions, and society at large. Caring for their children is also a challenge as they have to ensure that children grow just as the others who have both parents.

One of the most difficult problems facing single parents is how to integrate into the society with their families. Most societies only recognize married couples as able to raise children in an effective way. Furthermore, children find themselves isolated when in learning institutions as others embrace both parent while they glare in awe (DePaullo 1).

Causes of single parenthood vary and usually lead to different societal views. For instance, single parenthood arising from death of one partner is usually considered correct. However, it does not shoulder the responsibilities that come with it. On the other hand, single parenthood arising from separation and divorce face integration problems in the society, apart from the increased responsibilities.

This disparity in how the society and community at large treat single parents has raised concern all over the world. Their isolation in some States has led to poor development of their children as they are left to offer parental duties to the children. This paper will try to argue out whether societal judgment of single parents based on its cause is justifiable. It will also endeavor to explore the problems faced by single parents in detail (DePaullo 1).

A single parent refers to one who cares for one or more children without the help of one of the biological parents of the child or children. Different nations have varying laws related to single parenthood.

These laws determine how those families are treated or served by their respective governments. Single parenthood may be caused by either of these, choice or unexpected circumstances. The latter include death of one of the parents, abandonment which may occur in tough conditions, parents who neglect their children may cause them to rely on the others for both needs, teenage pregnancies or children born outside marriage.

Single parenthood caused by choice includes scenarios such as surrogate motherhood, child adoption, divorce and separation between biological parents as well as artificial insemination, among others. These factors that cause single parenthood also influence their way of life. It is estimated that most single parent families face prospects of poverty given the increased responsibilities (DePaullo 1).

Some Governments like the United States, UK, Australia, among others, in which there is high rates of single parent families have devised ways of assisting them.

For instance, United States had about 13 million single families in 2006, among which those headed by females were about 80%. This is quite a high rate and the effects are real as they try to make homes for these families. The UK estimated that 52% of single parent families lived below their defined poverty line in 2009, with over 3 million children raised by single parents.

This survey estimated that the UK had about 1.9 million single parents, a very high rate comparing its size and population with the United States. Australia also had over 14% single parent families, a very high number to work with. This has forced government to come in with strategies to assist them given their exposure to poverty and stigma (DePaullo 1).

Society is very instrumental in helping single families integrate well with other members of a community. Of great concern is the fact that most societies categorize single families based on the causes of their status. In most cases divorcees are seen as a bad influence in societies without considering its causes, the church shuns divorce and this makes it very difficult for divorcees to integrate well in the society.

This makes them look like sinners among other congregation. Also, society considers these families as failures and do not approve of their dealings. Some sectors of religion even disapprove integration with such people as they assume that they are bad influence to the supposed ‘clean’ society. This has cause stigma to such families as their children face all sorts of scorn and unanswered questions from their parents (DePaullo 1).

Furthermore, those single families that are caused by unexpected circumstances like death still face some sort of isolation although not to an extent of those caused by choice. In most societies, isolation comes in facing and shouldering of family responsibilities for these single parents.

Schools are areas of challenges for children and parents from single parenthood. Even single parent teachers face discriminations in schools, making it much more difficult for mere students or parents. The stigma that comes with such problems are likely to leave them isolated in community projects and other societal activities.

That is why it is quite important to address such problems as single parenthood, which in most cases, rarely comes out of choice. Most people find themselves in such situations and therefore need communal support as well as government assistance to help them become important channels of development in the society (Richards 277-285).

The paper discusses whether it is right or justifiable to judge single parents based on the causes of their status. Conservatives usually consider single parenthood caused by choice as a taboo in the society. On the other hand, modern societies have continued to embrace single parenthood irrespective of the cause.

Nonetheless, Religious sectors feel that these developments cause societal degradation and pollution of a once ‘clean’ society. These sentiments are usually shared by most religious sectors which abhor such actions. Should society judge single parents based on causes of the status? The following discussion would provide a clear answer to that (Richards 277-285).

Single parents should be judged based on causes of their status

There are several reasons that would make one believe that single parents need to be judged based on causes of their status. For instance, those parents who decide to divorce knowing very well the coming repercussions that would overwhelm them and their children should be discouraged from doing so, when the community or society makes divorce a taboo, this discourages unnecessary divorce.

When these families are not discouraged the society will be polluted and derailed. Such behaviors, on purpose should be discouraged as they may lead to distortions in family values. The world is full of various events and problems, people should be ready to persevere, and this would help in uniting many families (Richards 277-285).

When children have both parents, then their development is well taken care of. Children without one of their parents often end up in mix-ups such as early marriages, teenage pregnancies, stereotype against other genders, which is very destructive to a normal society.

Drug abuse in teenager is mostly connected to child negligence or abuse. Societies will never tolerate child abuse, and negligence. Therefore in that regard, it is important that single parenthood by choice is discouraged in the society. This will help in ensuring good moral values in the community (Richards 277-285).

In that respect, parents should be discouraged from making difficult choices for their children, in divorcing. As much as life is quite difficult and full of distrusts, parents should try as much as they can to avoid such issues, this will be good for their children. It is very important to have children in marriage with both parents fulfilling their responsibilities. Most single parenthoods are as a result of parents neglecting their responsibilities.

This has to be discouraged at all costs, because those who suffer in such situations are children as well as the single parent. Therefore, society is justified in dictating pathways that its members should take, without which; they should be held responsible (Sacks 10).

Single parents should not be judged based on their status

Single parents are just like other people in the community; their status is mostly due to happenings that are beyond control, for instance, when divorce occurs, one of the divorcees usually ends up disappointed or victimized, we cannot judge victims as this would be contrary to societal beliefs. In that regard, single parenthood caused by divorce should not be condemned.

Moreover, some parents neglect their children due to family burdens; some people cannot afford to adequately provide such services to their children and without intending to do so, ends up neglecting their own children. Society should consider these children as their own, with responsibility for their protection lying on their shoulders.

Single parents also need full backing from governments and other related agencies, to boost them both financially and emotionally. In addition, it is important to note that children that suffer from such situations are never at fault, society should therefore endeavor to provide adequate support for these children, physically, and most importantly emotionally by backup their parents (Risman 1049).

Single parents therefore face problems from all corners, ranging from schools, government positions, and society at large. The argument above emphasizes the fact that single parenthood should not be done at will, through careless divorce or neglect of children.

The first argument for society’s justification in judging or isolating single parents, especially those caused out of choice argue that when this is encouraged, people will neglect their responsibilities out of simple problems that can be solved amicably (Richards 277-285).

The second argument, against society’s justification states that even though some people neglect or divorce out of small differences, there are victims of divorce who need to be protected by the society and provided with necessities to enable their children succeed in life.

It goes on to state that these children need protection and love, which only the society can provide. Neglecting them is suicidal for a community that needs to focus on the future.

Moreover, as has been stated above, neglected children tend to enter into bad groupings that would eventually cost society its gains. The society is there to safeguard its members and this cannot be achieved if children are neglected irrespective of the cause. It is therefore important to note that society is not justified in their treatment of single parents (Quinlan 376-390).

It is important to state that single parenthood is a difficult task, as the needs of children are shouldered by one individual. It is also imperative to note that most single parent occurrences are never out of both parent’s wish, but unexpectedly, or out of situations that are quite difficult to understand.

The complexity of such situations ends up in divorce leaving children to one parent, who may or may not have the capability of providing all the requirements. In this regard, as much as society may be justified in their judgment, single parents need support both from the community and government.

They are isolated and feel deprived of social pleasure. These should be accorded to them as required since they too are citizens, who works hard for the good of the nation. They should be allowed into high positions without questions as to their single parenthood; this will boost their morale and have a positive effect on their children (Pong 23-42).

DePaullo, Bella. “The Scientific Study of People who are single: An Annotated Bibliography”. Association of single People . 17.05.2011.17.05.2011. Web.

Pong, Suet-ling. “The School Compositional Effect of Single Parenthood on 10th Grade Achievement”. Sociology of Education 71:1 (1998), 23-42.

Quinlan, Robert. “Father absence, parental care, and female reproductive development”. Evolution and Human Behavior . Volume 24, Issue 6, November 2003, Pages 376-390.

Richards, Leslie and Schmiege, Cynthia. “Family Relations”. Family Diversity . Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 277–285.

Risman, Barbara, and Park, Kyung. “Just The Two of Us: Parent-Child Relationships in Single-Parent Homes”. Journal of Marriage and the Family . 1988, 50, 4, Nov, 1049.

Sacks, George. “Boys without fathers is not a logical new idea.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock: Arkansas.

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Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Single Parenting: Impact on Child’s Development

Introduction, impact based on various age groups of children, impact on cognitive development and academic performance, impact on economic resources andsocial support system, impact on emotional and behavioural well being, impact on parenting and parent-child relationship, impact on social development and social communication, positive impacts of single parenting on children, interventions and recommendations, effective parenting, parental responsibilities, and parent child relationship, promotion of social development, legal and therapeutic interventions, building resilience, declaration of conflicting interests, cite article, share options, information, rights and permissions, metrics and citations, figures and tables, download to reference manager.

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  • Single parent family
  • single parent
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Single parenting and today’s family

Life in a single parent household—though common—can be quite stressful for the adult and the children.

  • Divorce and Child Custody

Single parenting and today's family

Today single parent families have become even more common than the so-called “nuclear family” consisting of a mother, father, and children. Today we see all sorts of single parent families: headed by mothers, fathers, and even by a grandparent raising their grandchildren.

Life in a single parent household—though common—can be quite stressful for the adult and the children. The single parent may feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of juggling caring for the children, maintaining a job, and keeping up with the bills and household chores. And typically, the family’s finances and resources are drastically reduced following the parents’ breakup.

Single parent families deal with many other pressures and potential problem areas that other families may not face.

Stressors faced by single parent families

  • Visitation and custody problems.
  • The effects of continuing conflict between the parents.
  • Less opportunity for parents and children to spend time together.
  • Effects of the breakup on children’s school performance and peer relations.
  • Disruptions of extended family relationships.
  • Problems caused by the parents’ dating and entering new relationships.

The single parent can help family members face these difficulties by talking with each other about their feelings and working together to tackle problems. Support from friends, other family members, and places of worship can help too. But if family members are still overwhelmed and having problems, it may be time to consult an expert or a licensed mental health professional.

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The Single-Parent Family

Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

A single parent is someone who is unmarried, widowed, or divorced and not remarried. The single-parent household can be headed by a mother, a father, a grandparent, an uncle, or aunt. According to the Pew Research Center, between 25 to 30 percent of children under age 18 in the U.S. live in a single-parent household. The U.S. Census reports that roughly 22 million children live with a single parent. And three times as many women, when compared with men, head these households .

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Single parents should be reassured by the fact that a large number of studies find no differences between the children of single mothers and children from other types of households. One study looked into the lives of children from different kinds of households—two-parent biological, adoptive, step-father, step-mother, single-parent—and the type of household did not matter. Children’s grades, and their relationships with their siblings and their friends, were about the same across all households. In a survey of adolescents living in nine types of households, those who lived with parents who had always been single and who were being raised in multi-generational households reported the highest sense of well-being of all those surveyed.

In studies as well as many reports from children themselves, children are better off raised by a single parent as opposed to living with married parents who engage in constant conflict. Children raised by one divorced parent sometimes have better outcomes than children raised by a parent who is remarried. It is impossible to predict a child's outcome based on this one factor alone. 

Yes. Every situation involves trade-offs, and they often go unrecognized at the time. In a common refrain, the grown child of a single, working mom reported that he was glad that his mom was busy all the time. His friends, by contrast, had moms who stayed at home. These parents were hyper-involved in their lives, including their schoolwork and schedules. This overbearing participation produced problems between parent and child.

Yes, but this is a risk for married parents as well. Some parents rely too heavily on a child for emotional support. These individuals become enmeshed with their child because of their own low self-esteem, loneliness, neediness, insecurity, or other similar reasons. These parents lack boundaries, preferring to be a best friend rather than a parent.

The vast majority of the children of single parents flourish at home and in later life. In a national survey of substance abuse among more than 22,000 adolescents from different kinds of households, the rate of substance abuse among the children of single parents was 5.7 percent, and the rate for the children of married parents was 4.5%. 

Not at all. More often, the children of single parents defy all stereotypes . If problems arise, they likely already existed when a child's parents were married or arise independent of the household configuration. These children were struggling in their nuclear family. Researchers who followed children of married parents for more than a decade, not knowing in advance whether the parents would stay married or divorce, found that among the children whose parents did divorce and who had problems, their difficulties began at a young age.

Children need a safe and reliable household to flourish. Of course, it is much harder for single-parents who live with financial hardship. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that nearly 11 million people are considered working poor. The definition of working poor is an individual who spends 27 weeks or more in the workforce, this person is working or looking for work, yet their income is below the poverty level. And according to the U.S. Census, single moms are one of the most disadvantaged groups—with nearly 30 percent living in poverty. Many of these single moms cannot provide for their families as they often have lower-paying jobs.

Being the sole parent of a household may mean you are the boss, free of quarrels over money and finance. That’s great, but according to research, it costs $234,000 to raise a child . This price tag impacts the high risk of financial hardship.

This should not be a source of concern or guilt, even though it often is. Children of mothers who return to work while the children are infants and toddlers, fare the same behaviorally and academically compared with children whose mothers stay home. In one study, kids from single-parent families , whose mothers worked, had better academic scores and fewer behavioral problems than did children whose mothers did not work.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that at two years after the breakup of their family, nearly 50 percent of children who live with their mother do not see their father regularly. Many fathers are often shortchanged by custody arrangements. However, a father showing interest and being involved with his children is a huge plus for all. One way to help this along: Help your ex. Pick up the children from school, attend their functions, and cheer them on at games--this involvement can make a difference. Helping your ex will help you. By being an involved father, you and your kids will find ways to spend more time together.

To raise successful children in any family configuration, stability and security matter. Single parents can help ensure such an environment by developing a supportive network of friends, relatives, and neighbors. People who care. For those with extreme financial hardship, there are resources in your community including assistance for housing, food, and healthcare for children, depending on income and other criteria. 

To raise thriving children, a single parent must juggle many aspects of life, the household, work demands, finances, among many other concerns. All parents face similar obstacles, but the challenge for a single-parent is greater.

Set house rules with your kids.

Give undivided attention to each child, even a daily 10-minute one-one conversation will help.

Set boundaries, boundaries, boundaries.

Be consistent and fair, always.

Kids need schedules and routines (sounds boring, but it works).

Lower your expectations, and do away with any ideas of perfection.

Lose your sense of guilt, victimhood, and martyrdom.

Ignore judgmental people.

You need support through good childcare, friends, family, neighbors.

If possible, get along with your ex. (To do so, you need to get over yourself.)

Apply self-care daily, eat right, exercise, sleep, meditate. (If you do not have time, make the time.)

If you need therapy, a good family therapist will help.

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  • Single Parenting

Essays on Single Parenting

The problem of single parenting is very widespread and complex, so writing a single parenting essay about it will help with better understanding and will give you the opportunity to collect and express your thoughts. Single parenting essays tell us that there are a large number of single-parent families. It is very difficult to raise and support a child alone – physically, financially, and mentally. Samples of essays on single parenting reveal that in single-parent families child often don't get enough attention and feel neglected. Also, single-parent children don't get a healthy family image or learn as much about relationships, making it harder for them to build their own family in the future. Peruse our single parenting essay samples – the best ones are below. Know that we are here to help you out with your essay as well.

Effects of Divorce on Children When two people marry, they are publicly declaring that they are loyal to each other before death. Starting a family together strengthens the relationship and allows it to be completed as a full family unit. Unfortunately, certain things do not turn out, and marriages end in...

Words: 1158

For most families today, single parenthood was common. The majority of solitary childcare is for women or more for mothers. One parent raises a child without the other parent s support. Research shows that one out of two children in the United States are raised in a single family before 18...

Words: 1800

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In 1993 Valerie Polakow wrote Lives on the Verge to deal with the plight of single mothers and their children in the "other" America. The term "other America" is used to indicate that in America there are two classes: the other America and the rest of the world. The "other"...

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Spence Counseling Center

Overcoming Challenges in Single Parenting

Anxiety , Boundaries , Depression , getting help , Health , Relationships , Self Care | 0 comments

single parenting challenges

Single parent homes are more and more common these days. And though the circumstances may vary, the reality is that solo parenting is often stressful, demanding, and hectic. Single parenthood comes with a unique set of emotional challenges that can feel overwhelming. Most single parents struggle with the same issues – from self-doubt and anxiety over money to the stress of making decisions alone. If you are a single parent, there are several things you can do to help minimize the stress in your life — and bring back the joy of parenting.

Challenge 1: Having no one to tag in. Being on 24/7 means that there is no one to pass the baton to when you are having a bad parenting moment and this can quickly lead to burnout. It also leads to anxiety and stress over making all the decisions on your own. Whether it’s a toddler tantrum or a school decision, many single parents are the only ones completely invested in their children.

Solution: Set up a support system. All single parents need help — whether it’s someone to watch the kids while you run out to do errands or simply someone to talk to when you feel overwhelmed. While it’s tempting to try to handle everything alone, ask friends and family members for help. Try joining a single-parent support group in your area, or, if finances allow, hire a trusted sitter to help out with the kids or someone to assist with housework.

Also, try to schedule meals, chores, bedtimes, and other family functions at regular hours so that your child knows exactly what to expect each day. A consistent routine will help your child feel more secure and help you feel more organized.

Challenge 2: Self-doubt . It is so hard to know if you’re doing a good job as a single parent. When you’re in a relationship, you have someone who agrees (or disagrees) with your methods and can help you see the value in your positive parenting moments and help you improve where you fall short. But as a single parent you have to do that alone, and it often leads to self-doubt.

Solution: Abolish the word “guilt” from your vocabulary. It’s extremely easy for single parents to feel guilty about the time they don’t have or the things they can’t do or provide for their children. But for your own sense of well-being, it’s better to focus on all the things you do accomplish on a daily basis and on all the things you do provide — and don’t forget about all the love, attention, and comfort you’re responsible for! If you ever question your day-to-day achievements, just make a list. At the end of the day, remind yourself that no one is perfect and that you are doing the best you can.

Challenge 3: Missing the kids when they’re with their other parent. Loneliness is a constant challenge, and the hardest part can be getting used to being without the kids.

Solution: The solution is to plan out those times, so you don’t give yourself a chance to get into a funk. Reach out to friends and schedule nights out singing karaoke, going to dinner, walking around a museum, or checking out a movie that is too intense for when the kids are around. Basically do whatever things you may not be able to do when the kids are home.

Challenge 4: Stress and anxiety about money. Without two incomes, many single parents are often economically vulnerable. Minimum wage keeps many single moms below the poverty level—even when they’re working full time! Across America, homeless shelters are the final refuge for many single parent families. Not surprisingly, poverty and economic hardship are linked to anxiety and depression.

Solution:  Raising a family on one income, or relying on an ex-spouse for child support, can be one of the hardest aspects of parenting alone. That’s why it’s important to take steps to define your financial goals, because you can’t have a plan without goals. Start by making a budget to help you see where all your money is going and where it needs to go. See if there is anything you can cut out or reduce (such as cable or high interest credit cards). Think about any other sacrifices you can make such as daily coffee runs or finding a cheaper place to live.

Challenge 5: Ignoring the importance of self-care. We are often expected to be a super parent when the other is not involved. After spending the day working full time, and then being on Mommy duty at home, it’s easy to forget about taking care of yourself. “Spa days” are a pipe dream for most lone parents, and finding time to exercise can seem impossible. Self-care enables men and women to cope with the challenges of single parenting, but most single parents put their own care last on their to-do list.

Solution: It is important to schedule time for yourself . Even if it’s something as simple as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or having a chat with a friend, setting aside a little personal time will give you a chance to refuel. Even if it is only fifteen minutes, take time out of the week to do something for yourself. Going for a walk or writing in a journal – something that allows you to reconnect with who you were before you became a parent.

Challenge 6: Sleep Deprivation . Not surprisingly, single parents rarely get enough sleep. Why? Because they can get so much done when their kids are sleeping! Laundry, housekeeping, night shifts, studying, and other responsibilities often undermine the chance for a good night’s rest. Not only does poor sleep put people at an increased risk of suffering from depression and anxiety, but it can also increase their chances of developing immune deficiency and heart disease.

Solution: Turn off the TV, phone, and tablet at night. You may be guilty of getting the kids to bed and then watching shows, playing electronic games, or working until the wee hours of the morning. It may feel excruciating to turn all of this off and actually go to bed and it may take time to break the habit! But once you do, you may find that you are a lot more productive during the day and a lot more relaxed with your kids!

Challenge 7: Setting boundaries. Many single parents have a hard time setting boundaries because they feel they have to do it all or feel guilty saying no.

Solution: Prioritize your boundaries. As a single parent, boundaries are essential to keep your family’s life stable and constant. We all need boundaries to safeguard us for a healthy lifestyle .  Without boundaries, life can be one exhausting attempt to catch up. Boundaries respect who you are.  Once in place they protect you by making expectations and responsibilities clear. This is especially important to set boundaries with your own kids. You may start to feel you are losing your identity if you don’t draw a line somewhere.

Challenge 8: Ongoing conflict with an ex. Divorce and separation are hard enough, but continuing conflict with a child’s other parent can erode a single person’s mental health. Bullying, manipulation, withholding child support, and violating divorce agreements are among the many behaviors divorced parents tell us they face.

Solution: Manage conversations by staying on topic. We are not looking for perfect behavior here. Parents under the stress of money worries, legal concerns, stories of betrayal, and uncertainty about the future are going to make mistakes—even big mistakes. But there is so much at stake for their children, that it is worth stepping back and trying to handle conflict in an intelligent and civil way . Work at keeping your conversations on topic and don’t rehash history. If your ex-spouse insists on engaging in conversation over old issues, try and direct the conversation back to the topic at hand. If you are unable to do this, then excuse yourself from the conversation by walking away or hanging up the phone. Come back to the conversation in a few days and try again.

Challenge 9: Weak support networks. When one becomes a single parent — whether by choice or circumstance — friends often drift away when you need them the most. Friends and family may choose sides, feel awkward, or be unable to relate to a single person’s new reality. Disconnection from community gives rise to feelings of alienation and hopelessness.

Solution: Ask for help. The first step is to let go of the pressure you’re putting on yourself to do it all on your own. Look at the families around you. Even many two-parent families who receive regular help from grandparents, aunts, and uncles. There is nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it. Needing help is not a sign of weakness or failure! Asking for help gets easier the more you do it. Start by asking for help in one small area. If you’re more comfortable, suggest trading tasks like child care and cooking with a friend or with people in your church.

Challenge 10: Stressed-out and anxious parents create stressed-out and anxious kids. Depression and anxiety among elementary school students are rising. Nearly a third of high school students report feeling sad or hopeless. One in five school-age kids has a diagnosable mental disorder — 20 percent of our children!

Solution: You can’t help your children manage their stress until you can manage yours. If you think you’re hiding your worry and stress from your kids, think again. Whether you have a teen or a toddler, modeling healthy stress management is critical for the health of future generations. While we can’t eliminate all stress, there are many things we can do to become more resilient to the stress in our lives. At the core, you have to start with yourself.

What does it look like? It looks like five minutes of mindful breathing, or taking a moment to engage with your child. It’s using a mealtime to discuss a mistake that you learned from today, so your children begin to understand that life isn’t perfect, and that mistakes can lead to growth rather than stress . These are small shifts, yes, but they matter. And if you make them a habit you will not only change your response to modern stress, you’ll change your kids’ as well.

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Andrew has 30 years of experience in the human services field working in corrections, private practice, and community mental health. He earned his master’s degree in professional counseling from Colorado Christian University in 2001. Prior to that, he worked as a corrections counselor in the MA Department of Corrections. He has been trained in several counseling modalities that he integrates consistently into his practice with clients. He also has a wealth of life experience that some say is the best education of all. He is trained in Gottman Level I and II where he provides invaluable marriage and couples counseling. He is also trained in EMDR, a trauma-based modality for those who struggle with the impacts of posttraumatic stress and other trauma-related symptoms. He has extensive experience working with individuals struggling with depression and anxiety, anger management, and other common mental health concerns. In his free time, he enjoys camping and hiking, photography, and spending time birdwatching. He also loves spending time with his wife and four children laughing, hanging out, and enjoying BBQ.

Administrative and Billing Assistant

Theresa comes to Spence with 31 years of Administrative and Billing experience. She served in the U.S. Army for 7 years. She loves working with people! She feels that you should always great anyone with a smile, bringing a bit of “sunshine” to someone who maybe having a “cloudy” day. In her free time she likes writing, listening to music and spending time with family.

Angela comes to Spence with 15 years of administrative and management experience. She has her Associates in Medical Assisting and Batchelor’s in Healthcare Management. Angela loves to help others who struggle with mental health through showing them the love and kindness they deserve. In her free time she likes to craft, crochet, and watching football with her 2 Great Danes.

Phillip Edwards – Intern

Phillip followed God’s calling to help others navigate the challenges they face in life. Phil is currently completing his Masters of Counseling from Crown College with a dual licensure in mental health along with alcohol and drug addiction counseling. He is excited to start his practicum and internship in August 2024. He is passionate about helping individuals, couples, families both traditional and blended to foster healing and growth. His free time consist of reading history with a goal of reading a biography on every President, building model cars, and cooking. Phil is a dedicated father, stepfather, and granddad. He and his wife have a blended family of six.

Whitney graduated from Crown College with her Masters in Counseling. She previously attended North West Missouri State University and University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a double major in Art and Art History. She feels God gave her a unique calling to love people and see His healing and purpose come to fruition in people’s lives. She takes delight in following and obeying Him and counseling others is a big part of that. In her free time, she enjoys long walks with her husband, games, eating good food, and cuddling up on the couch with a hot beverage, soft blanket, and watching a good show.

MS, LIMFT, LIMHP, LMFT

Betsy is passionate about assisting individuals, couples, and families as they navigate difficult circumstances that life and relationships bring. She offers a compassionate ear and applicable resources to help her clients. Betsy utilizes evidenced-based theories and a trauma-informed approach to understand each situation while acknowledging that Christ is the ultimate source of healing. She strives to help clients identify and adapt core beliefs that may lead to or result from anxiety, depression, PTSD/trauma, relationship distress, grief, and a variety of other concerns, in order to promote true freedom in life and relationships. Betsy is EMDR trained and earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

PhD, Clinical Psychologist

Kevin received his doctorate in Psychology from Colorado State University. He has been practicing for over 30 years. He specializes with those dealing with anxiety/panic attacks, marriage, counseling; working with children and adolescents with behavioral problems; those with addiction, and pain management. He chose this path because it gives him the privilege and opportunity to serve God and others, alike. In his off time he enjoys spending time with his family, pheasant hunting, fishing and cooking with his wife.

Kim comes to Spence with over 35 years of administrative experience. She helps with greeting clients, taking payments, and running various reports. She is a great asset to the Spence family. In her free time, she enjoys walks, reading, playing with her pets, and spending time with her grandbabies.

Intern – Omaha

Andrea pursued counseling because she wants to help those who are struggling to conquer life’s obstacles. Andrea is currently finishing her masters of counseling from Crown College and will start her internship with Spence in Jan 2024. In her free time, she enjoys playing instruments and can play 13 different instruments . She also enjoys walking her dog and p laying with her two cats. She will watch independent guards and percussions along with marching bands in the fall and winter. In the colder months she enjoys watching movies snuggled in with her pets. 

LPC – Kansas Location

Bernard comes to Spence with a Masters in Christian Counseling from Oral Roberts University. As a committed Christian, he works to combine strong Biblical principles with the most current understanding of being human. In addition, he emphasizes the wholeness of the Mind, Body, and Spirit. He believes everyone has the answers to their own issues. It is deep within them and sometimes is covered up with scars and pain. His objective is to help find solutions to life’s challenges. He works with a variety of modalities such as Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, CBT, and Solution Focus Therapy. He has worked with clients who have concerns with depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, relationships, parenting, and careers. Bernard has experience working with all ages in group and individual settings. He has worked in a crisis stabilization hospital and clinic, his own private practice, and as an adjunct instructor. In his free time, he enjoys collecting trains and taking care of his lovable pets.

Linda received her Bachelors in Behavioral Science from Bellevue University and received her degree from Crown College for her Masters in Clinical Counseling. She interned at Spence Counseling Center and then was hired on to continue her work. In her free time she enjoys gardening, crafts, and soap making.

MS, PLMHP, PLCSW

Kim earned her Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Nebraska – Omaha in 2019 and has worked in the fields of child-welfare and behavioral health for over 20 years. Kim and her husband are adoptive parents of three children. Kim’s personal and professional experience have equipped her to work with parents with complex family dynamics and histories of attachment and trauma difficulties. Kim sees clients of all ages and has experience with parenting children with complex needs, trauma, grief, behavior disorders, depression, and anxiety. Kim also enjoys working with individuals experiencing life transition stages and career changes. Kim believes in equipping others to find their unique and individual strengths, helping them to see themselves as Christ sees them, a beloved son or daughter of God. In her free time, she enjoys photography, traveling, hiking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Laura comes to Spence from Alaska with four years of medical billing and customer service experience. She loves to put a smile on the face of clients by helping in whatever way she can. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, reading poetry, and sitting in her outdoor hammock on a nice day. Laura is also fluent in ASL.

MSW, LIMHP, LICSW, LISW

Danielle earned her Master’s in Social Work and Master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Danielle likes to be able to help people holistically heal spiritually, emotionally, and mentally and to grow into what God created them to be. Her specialties are working with teenagers and trauma. She is also certified in Clinical Anxiety Treatment. In her spare time, Danielle likes spending time with her husband, paddleboarding, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and reading.

MA, LIMHP, LPC, CDGC Terapia en Español.

Amelia holds a MS in Rural Development as well as her MA in Mental Health and Counseling from Grace University. She specializes in Couples, Family, and Children’s Therapy, and caters to those who speak either English or Spanish. She loves traveling home to Columbia and visiting her family. Amelia finds that helping people is like giving a glass of clean water to a thirsty person and then show them the way to the fountain so that they can go and drink the water by themselves. She loves to see how the Holy Spirit empowers people to make the right changes in their lives so that they can heal, healthy and whole.

MS, LIMHP, LPC

Melissa earned her Master’s in Community Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2003. She is a licensed therapist in Nebraska and has been with Spence Counseling since 2021. As a former homeschool mom, she understands the struggles of parenting and family dynamics. Melissa sees clients of all ages and has experience with grief, autism, behavior disorders, depression, anxiety, anger, and trauma. She enjoys helping clients discover their strengths and find hope through Christ. In her free time, she enjoys being involved with Boys Scouts and creating things with her hands – knitting, crocheting, needlework, etc.

Intern – Kansas

Hannah is a dedicated and compassionate counseling intern with a bachelors degree in psychology and a minor in Christian caregiving and counseling from Oral Roberts University. With experience in child and family services at a community mental health center and background volunteering with at risk populations, Hannah is passionate about fostering mental wellness and empowerment. Currently pursuing a masters degree in counseling at the University of Saint Mary, she combines her academic knowledge with her heart for service, aiming to provide individuals with the tools for inner healing and personal growth. Outside of her studies, Hannah enjoys reading fantasy novels, running, pickleball, and spending quality time with her cats and husband.

Executive Administrative Assistant, CNC

Laura has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Grace University, an Associates in Communication, and is currently getting her Masters degree in Applied Nutrition Science. She hopes to blend nutrition and psychology to help those with disordered eating patterns. Laura grew up in the Omaha area and has worked with a diverse group of people in many different business settings. She has been at Spence Counseling since 2017 and loves interacting with the clients, therapists, and staff. Laura has extensive experience with administrative tasks including scheduling, billing, training, and correspondence. She also enjoys writing handouts and blogs for Spence Counseling as well as posting on Spence’s Social Media accounts. In her free time, Laura coaches high school cheerleading and loves fishing at the lake or traveling with her husband and 3 girls.

Certified Therapy Dog, Good Girl

Eva pursued counseling because she loves helping people and being there for her clients. She is fully certified as a therapy dog with her mom/handler Danielle. In her free time, she enjoys sticks, long walks, napping, and meeting new friends.

Bob earned his Master’s in Community Counseling from the University of Portland (Oregon) in 1996.  Bob has served as a Youth Director in churches since 1988 and genuinely enjoys teenagers and their families.  As a therapist he has historically worked with individuals addressing chemical dependency, marriage and family issues, depression, anxiety, grief, and vocational transition.  He has been joyfully married to his wife since 1989 and they have three adult children with their own families.  Bob enjoys woodworking, home remodeling, bicycling, reading, singing, playing guitar, and goofing off with the family’s three dogs and two horses!  Bob’s mission is to encourage individuals to discover their unique design in God’s creation and experiencing the freedom for which Jesus died and rose again for them.

Administrative Assistant – Kansas Location

Rhonda comes to Spence with over 30 years of office experience. She works in our Kansas location helping the therapists with billing, insurance, and administrative duties. She enjoys being part of a team to help the office run smoothly and successfully. In her free time, she loves to travel with her husband, spend time with family, play with her grandchildren, and go for long walks.

Luci earned both her Bachelors of Science in Psychology and her Masters in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University. She has experience working with individuals, couples, and families struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar, binge eating, and post traumatic stress disorder. She is a Certified Precision Nutrition Coach and specializes in obesity that is directly related to mental health. In her free time, she enjoys learning about health and fitness and working out. She loves spending time with her family while going on walks, hiking, and camping together.

Amy comes to Spence with 16 years of social work experience. She gained her Masters in Social Work from the University of Missouri at Kansas. Amy loves providing a safe space for clients to talk. She wants people to know it’s okay to not be okay. She loves helping people work on themselves daily to create a positive outlook for their future. In her free time,she enjoys road trips, crafting, walking, cooking, and being with family.

Ryan earned his Master of Social Work degree from The University of Kansas and Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Kansas State University.  His work experience in the mental health field has been in both inpatient and outpatient services and with individuals that struggle with anxiety/panic attacks and trauma/PTSD.  He chose his path in counseling because it gives him the opportunity to serve God and others alike.  Ryan is married with his two wonderful children.  In his off time, he enjoys being a dad, spending time with his family and friends, following the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, and barbecuing. 

MS, LMLP, LMAC

Faith graduated with masters degree in clinical psychology from Fort Hays State University. She is licensed in both mental health and substance abuse treatment and uses evidence based approaches such as CBT, DBT, ACT, Trauma Informed care, Solution-Focused therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Behavior Therapy, and more to help individuals in one-one-one and in group settings. She has experience working with behavioral problems in children/adolescents and their families, adults, addiction treatment, trauma focused care, women’s issues, crisis intervention, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Faith chose counseling because it allows her to serve God and others alike. She values her clients and will meet them at their point of need to walk with them on their healing journey. Her hobbies include hiking, traveling, reading, volunteer projects, spending time with family and friends, hanging out with her dog.

MSW, LIMHP, CMSW, LCSW, LMSW

Regina graduated from Wayne State College with degree in Elementary Education. She then made a career change from teaching to social work to be able to better serve others and graduated from UNO with a Masters in Social Work. She has worked with adults and the elderly for the past 30 years in the community, nursing homes, and hospice. She specializes in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and grief and loss. She believes in serving others with the assistance & presence of the Holy Spirit and gets excited when a person experiences the “light bulb” moment when something is figured out and resolution is made. In her free time, she enjoys playing music, quilting, church activities, and being with friends and family.

Shelly earned her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling through Mid-America Christian University and is a member of the American Association for Christian Counselors. She has been known for her down-to-earth style, and has a heart for helping people transform through mind renewal and finding their health/wholeness in Christ. She seeks to tailor therapy to the needs of each individual client, but enjoys creative/artistic assignments and integrating veins of therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, while integrating things with a spiritual perspective to best help with anxiety, grief, depression, trauma, misplaced self-worth/identity, relationship issues, emotional eating, boundaries, and discovering passion in life. Shelly is enjoying her journey with Spence Counseling and finds it a privilege to care for every client walking through her door.

Clinical Director, MSW, LIMHP, LISW, LICSW

Mark earned his Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2006. He is a licensed therapist in both Nebraska and Iowa. Mark has been a part of the Spence Counseling Center family since 2006 and meets with individuals at the Omaha, Council Bluffs and Red Oak, IA locations. He has counseling experience with marriage, family, depression, anxiety, grief, PTSD/trauma, spiritual issues, and ADHD. Mark sees anyone from ten years old and up, including elderly individuals. He integrates Christian principles into his counseling work. He enjoys helping the people he meets discover how our Creator designed them, and the purposes for which He created them.

Executive Director, MA, LIMHP, LMHC, LPC, CDGC

Chuck earned his Master’s degree in Counseling from Western Seminary in Portland, OR in 1997. He is a licensed therapist in both Nebraska and Iowa. He joined his father at Spence Counseling Center in 1999, and since 2010 has overseen the operation as Executive Director. His counseling experience expands over 20 years and involves meeting with men and women of all ages in the areas of marriage, family, depression, anxiety and addictions. Currently, he spends most of his time observing the growth of the individual therapist and the counseling center as a whole. Chuck has a passion for writing, public speaking, and mentoring new therapists, but none greater than helping people find genuine healing by solving issues at the core. Chuck is married to his wife, Rhonda and together they have two great kids, Karyna and Joel.

Director of Operations

Rhonda earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her experience includes records management, organization, insurance contract credentialing, claims recovery, billing/insurance issues, and project management. She has worked as Spence Counseling Center’s Director of Operations since 2006. She has oversight of all administrative staff, interfaces with all outside vendors and clinical staff, and has been part of the management team since 2008. She and Chuck have two children and in her spare time enjoys time with their family and loves to read.

Kevin received his doctorate in Psychology from Colorado State University. He has been practicing for the last 28 years. He specializes with those dealing with anxiety/panic attacks, marriage, counseling; working with children and adolescents with behavioral problems; those with addiction, and pain management. He chose this path because it gives him the privilege and opportunity to serve God and others, alike. In his off time he enjoys spending time with his family, pheasant hunting, fishing and cooking with his wife.

MS, LIMHP, LADC, LPC

Lori has 30 years of experience in the field of counseling and education; working with individuals, groups, and families dealing with addiction issues, including evaluations and recommendations to meet legal requirements. Specializing in relationships, family and blended family dynamics, life stage transition, grief and loss, parenting, anxiety, depression, and sexual trauma. Lori has a passion for using evidence based therapeutic practices to generate and encourage core changes consistent with God’s truth. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and Master’s degrees in Human Services and Clinical Counseling. She also has a certificate in Biblical Discipleship Counseling and is a member of the American Association for Christian Counselors.

MS, LIMHP, LMHC, CDGC, NCC

Megan earned her Master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2007. She is a licensed therapist in both Nebraska and Iowa. Megan has been with Spence Counseling Center since 2008, working with clients in the Omaha and Council Bluffs locations. Megan sees clients of all ages and has experience with gambling addiction, marriage, family, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and grief issues. She enjoys getting to see growth in her clients as they allow the Holy Spirit to bring about healing and change.

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Growing Up in a Single Parent Family

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Words: 583 |

Published: Mar 1, 2019

Words: 583 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Works Cited:

  • Bauer, P. T. (1978). The proper scope of government: Theory and an application to prisons. The Journal of Law and Economics, 21(1), 1-36.
  • Friedman, M. (1962). Capitalism and Freedom. University of Chicago Press.
  • Hayek, F. A. (1944). The Road to Serfdom. University of Chicago Press.
  • Krugman, P. (2007). The conscience of a liberal. WW Norton & Company.
  • Mankiw, N. G. (2002). Principles of Economics. South-Western College Pub.
  • Mill, J. S. (1848). Principles of Political Economy. University of Toronto Press.
  • Rothbard, M. N. (2006). For a new liberty: The libertarian manifesto. Ludwig von Mises Institute.
  • Samuelson, P. A. (1948). Economics: An introductory analysis. McGraw-Hill.
  • Stiglitz, J. E. (2002). Globalization and its discontents. WW Norton & Company.
  • Smith, A. (1776). An inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations. Bantam Classics.

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single parent struggle essay outline

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  1. Single Parent Struggle: [Essay Example], 1271 words GradesFixer

    Single parent struggle: argumentative essay In the article, "Single-parent families cause juvenile crime", author Robert L. Maginnis states, "Children from single-parent families are more likely to have behavior problems because they tend to lack economic security and adequate time with parents".

  2. Being A Single Parent: [Essay Example], 517 words GradesFixer

    Being a single parent is a challenging and complex role that requires immense strength, resilience, and dedication. Single parenting is often associated with various socioeconomic challenges, emotional struggles, and societal stigmas. However, it is essential to recognize the unique experiences and strengths that single parents possess.

  3. My Mom is a Single Parent: Personal Experience

    Single Parent Struggle: Why Single Parenting is not Worse than Two-Parents Family Essay For many years, children growing up in a single parent family have been viewed as different. Being raised by only one parent seems impossible to many yet over the decades it has become more prevalent.

  4. The Struggles of Single Parenting

    As outlined by McLanahan & Sandefur (p 10), in 1980, the overall dropout rate was 19%, with 13% of the children residing with both parents. Most single parents experience compounded issues relating to finances. The inability to gain entry into the jobs market is borne out of socio-economic constraints. Most of them are non-literate or semi ...

  5. Single Parent Essays: Examples, Topics, & Outlines

    Before 2005, the number of single parents and divorce trends in the Sacramento exceed the national average. Major factors leading to the issues include poverty, and drug abuse. Other risk factors include out-of-wedlock births, which are increasingly high among African-American (65%) and Hispanic (54%).

  6. The Struggles of Being a Single Parent

    The Struggles of Being a Single Parent. Being a mom can be the hardest, empowering thing any woman can do. For others, they think it can be the wort thing in the word. Yes, there are advantages and disadvantages of being a single mom. In today's world there are numbers of children experiencing and growing up with a single parent family.

  7. Single Parent Essay

    Single Parent Essay; Single Parent Essay. Sort By: Page 1 of 50 - About 500 essays. Decent Essays. Single Parents And Single Parent Families. 1575 Words; 7 Pages ... How single parents struggle for many years, children growing up in a single parent family have been viewed as different. But, being raised by only one parent can seem so impossible ...

  8. How Does Society View Single Parents? Research Paper

    A single parent refers to one who cares for one or more children without the help of one of the biological parents of the child or children. Different nations have varying laws related to single parenthood. These laws determine how those families are treated or served by their respective governments.

  9. Argument Essay on Single Parent Struggle

    This focuses on the struggles which single parent families face polito chris polito paola brown eng102 25 march 2008 single parent struggle for many years, ... How To outline - first semester. English Composition. Practice materials. 100% (8) 2. ... Argument Essay on Single Parent Struggle. Course: English Composition (21:355:101)

  10. Single Parenting: Impact on Child's Development

    A single parent can be a single mother or a single father, a solo parent, where the individual is a divorcee or a widow or widower, separated from their partner and unplanned pregnancy, or could be a single parent by choice, where a man or woman chooses to become a single parent through donor insemination or adoption living with one or more dependent children without the presence and support ...

  11. Challenges Faced By Single Parents

    Singles parents have a tougher job because of limited resources. Financial challenges surround single parents on every hand. When a single parent is the only bread winner they no doubt struggle economically and many sacrifices have to be made in order to stay afloat. What many families take for granted are luxuries to a struggling custodial ...

  12. Challenges and Triumphs of Single Parent Struggles

    Get original essay. One of the most daunting challenges faced by single parents is financial instability. Raising a child on a single income can be overwhelming, as it requires careful budgeting and prioritization of basic needs. Providing for essentials such as housing, food, clothing, and education can be particularly demanding.

  13. Single parenting and today's family

    Today single parent families have become even more common than the so-called "nuclear family" consisting of a mother, father, and children. Today we see all sorts of single parent families: headed by mothers, fathers, and even by a grandparent raising their grandchildren. Life in a single parent household—though common—can be quite ...

  14. PDF Single Parent Struggle

    first marriage family with both parents, twenty-two percent living in a second marriage. step-family, twenty-one percent living ina single parent, divorced or separated family, six percent living in a single parent never married family and three percent living in a. single parent widowed family. This is an extremely scary statistic considering ...

  15. Single Parent

    14 essay samples found. A single parent is an individual who has most of the day-to-day responsibilities in the raising of the child or children, which would categorize them as the dominant caregiver. Essays could discuss the challenges and rewards of single parenting, societal attitudes towards single parents, and the impact of single ...

  16. Single Parent Struggle Argumentative Essay

    Single Parents Essay How single parents struggle for many years, children growing up in a single parent family have been viewed as different. But, being raised by only one parent can seem so impossible to many yet, over decades it has become more prevalent. In today's society, many kids have grown up to become

  17. The Single-Parent Family

    The single-parent household can be headed by a mother, a father, a grandparent, an uncle, or aunt. According to the Pew Research Center, between 25 to 30 percent of children under age 18 in the U ...

  18. The Life of Single Mothers: Difficulties and Joyful Moments

    Single mothers face a multitude of challenges that often test their emotional, financial, and physical well-being. Balancing work and parenting, financial strain, lack of support, and feelings of isolation can become constant companions on their journey. The weight of these challenges can be daunting, yet single mothers rise above them with ...

  19. Free Essays on Single Parenting, Examples, Topics, Outlines

    For most families today, single parenthood was common. The majority of solitary childcare is for women or more for mothers. One parent raises a child without the other parent s support. Research shows that one out of two children in the United States are raised in a single family before 18... Mother Single Parenting Social Problems. Words: 1800.

  20. Overcoming Challenges in Single Parenting

    Most single parents struggle with the same issues - from self-doubt and anxiety over money to the stress of making decisions alone. If you are a single parent, there are several things you can do to help minimize the stress in your life — and bring back the joy of parenting. Challenge 1: Having no one to tag in.

  21. Essays on Single Parenting

    Single Parent Struggles are a reality faced by many individuals around the world. Being a single parent is a unique journey that comes with a multitude of challenges, yet it also embodies incredible strength and resilience. This essay delves into the complexities of single parenthood,... Single Parenting. 16.

  22. PDF Single-parent family strength: a phenomenological study;

    within female-headed, single-parent families with school-aged children 2 or more years following separation or divorce. There is little research describing the healthy functioning of female-headed families. For the most part, the analysis of single-parent family functioning has been understood as a deviation from the norm

  23. Growing Up in a Single Parent Family

    Single Parent Struggle: Why Single Parenting is not Worse than Two-Parents Family Essay For many years, children growing up in a single parent family have been viewed as different. Being raised by only one parent seems impossible to many yet over the decades it has become more prevalent.