William Wilson

ENG 102-19
Literature Review/Research Report
Abstract

The purpose of this report is to get a better understanding on single

parenting. Single parenting obviously has a big impact in our society. This

report will go in detail to answer that and many other questions about single

parenting.

Introduction

Single parenting is arguably one of the hardest jobs to have. Taking

care of children with no help can affect a lot in the parents life, for example,

economic problems, a decrease in social life, and internal problems as well

such as stress. However, single parenting can have a few positive impacts,

one being the close relationship of the child and parent. To know more about

the topic, I proposed three questions:

1. From their observations, what do people perceive about single

parenting?
2. How does single parenting affect the child/children?
3. What common struggles does single parent households have?

The focus of this report is to display my research of single parenting through

the questions stated above. Through this research, there is different ideas

from the sources I have collected data from. They offer a unique and well

inform look on single parenting.

From their observations, what do people perceive about single

parenting?
William Wilson
ENG 102-19
Literature Review/Research Report
Its fair to say that there are mixed feelings about single parenting.

Most will say that single parenting isnt healthy for both the child and the

parent, others will say that both will benefit from this overall, as to making

them stronger. Some people seem to think that being independent is better

than living with social obligations. Women have become more independent

through the years and this could play a huge part in single parenting. Pew

Research Center issued findings from its survey on changes in family

structure, in which respondents were asked to rank a list of seven trends,

such as interracial marriage and gay couples raising kids, as being good,

bad, or of no consequence to society. More respondentsnearly seven out of

tenranked single mothers as being bad for societymore than any of the

other choices (Mayor). This shows that more than average think badly about

single parenting. Not only do they think that but they also think that it is

detrimental to society. Eighty-three percent of the people I polled on campus

said that single parenting was bad for society from their observations.

Survey data indicate that Americans have become increasingly accepting of

single-parent families formed through divorce and non-marital childbearing

since 1960 (Thornton, Young-DeMa and Rindfuss). As Americans oppose of

single-parent households they have accepted them. I conducted a poll

around campus to see if students thought that single parent households

arent healthy. Meaning, is there more negative than positive affects within

the household. The answers were yes or no. Sixteen out of twenty
William Wilson
ENG 102-19
Literature Review/Research Report
students said that single parent households arent healthy. Six of the

participants are from a single parent household.

Does single parenting affect the child later in life?

Being raised by a single parent has significant impact on a child.

Children may vary depending on how they look at the situation. It can either

build them to become stronger or weaken them. Most seem to think that it

will affect the child even when they grow older out of childhood. Children

raised by one biological parent fare worse on a host of social and economic

measures than children raised by both biological parents (Sigle-Rushton and

McLanahan). This indicates that these issues extend to a childs own

adulthood. Children from single parent families have an increased likelihood

of forming single-parent families themselves and may have difficulty forming

lasting relationships with partners (Richards and Schmiege). This shows that

not only does it affect the household they grew up in, but their own

household when they grow older. Children in single parent households wont

have the experience learning things that both parents can teach, for

example the simple stuff, tying a tie, painting ones nails, etc. This could also

be looked at as a positive thing if the child teaches their self how to do these

things. The bad apart about this is that, it leads to one being self-reliant,

which can also lead to becoming a single parent. I conducted a small poll on

campus regarding whether single parent households affect the child later in

life. The answer options were yes or no. Out of all fifteen participants, they
William Wilson
ENG 102-19
Literature Review/Research Report
all said that single parent households do affect children later in life. Five of

the participants came from single parent households.

What common struggles does single parent households have?

Most single parent households go through the same struggles, the

biggest one being financial income. With only having one parent in the

house, odds are there will be a shorter amount of income than a two-parent

household. One of many common things are that women are the head of

most single parent households. Eighty-seven percent of single-parent

families are headed by women and many of these families face poverty or
William Wilson
ENG 102-19
Literature Review/Research Report
near poverty (Richards and Schmiege).

This image shows that even double the parents, single parent households

still have a higher unemployment percentage. This could be for several

reasons, one being that they have sacrificed their job for their children. As

stated, many of those families face poverty, one reason being, the fact that

women typically receive lower salaries than men. Financials are not the only

struggle though, others can be social isolation, stress, and fatigue. One big

common struggle is child care. Poor, single, working parents often are
William Wilson
ENG 102-19
Literature Review/Research Report
forced to choose between quality and flexibility of child care arrangements

(Kirby). Many of them take their kids to a relative or known person, not

having the money for a daycare.

Conclusion

Not only does single-parent households affect the child and the parent,

but it affects those around them. Through interaction we all know someone

that was or is being raised in a single-parent household. It is clear to note

that there are significant differences from a two-parent household.

References

Sigle-Rushton, Wendy, and Sara McLanahan. "FATHER ABSENCE AND CHILD

WELL-BEING: A CRITICAL REVIEW." Center for Research on Child

Wellbeing Working Paper #02-20, n.d. Web. 14

Mar. 2017.

Mayor, Tracy . "Single Mom Stigma, Alive and Kicking." Brain, Child. N.p., n.d.

Web. 12 Mar.

2017.

Richards, Leslie N., and Cynthia J. Schmiege. "Problems and Strengths of

Single-Parent Families: Implications for Practice and Policy ." JSTOR 42

(1993): n. pag. Web.

2 Mar. 2017
William Wilson
ENG 102-19
Literature Review/Research Report
Kirby, Jacqueline, M.S. "Single-parent Families in Poverty." Uakron. N.p., n.d.

Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

Thornton, Thornton and Young-DeMa Rco, and Pagnini and Rindfuss. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.