Our society alters with every generation. Seventy-five years ago, you would not have thought about divorce because there was a stigma attached to it that supposed you were worthless. Irrespective of the reason, people thought if you were divorced, then something must be improper with you. Nowadays is a different story, I am not certain that it’s an improvement to be able to divorce so easily. If we committed more deliberation into getting married, then perhaps we wouldn’t have so many single parents. The number of single parents has multiplied over the last twenty years. The number of children who have been a product of single parents has continuously grown as well. This is because the overall modification in society has changed drastically over the past years.
How a person reacts to certain situations, and how one copes with change have impacted determinations involving families today. Studies have shown that there are outcomes, whether affirmative or negative on being a single parent to children. Conflicting studies have shown that there are positive and negative effects of single parenting. Some studies show that children who have been raised by single parents have lower self-regard than that of joint parenting.
But then again, some studies show that single or joint parenting doesn’t have any effect on the development or well-being of a parent. How a parent deals with a child, and oneself can form the moral force* of the family, which can lead to the emotional well-being of both the parent and the child.
Whenever the single parent relationship between the parent and child is carefully managed, the following positive outcomes may be felt within the family:
1) Gradual lessening of stress- Prior to being a single parent, feelings of tension are present and are felt by the parents and children.
Frequently, the feelings of the child are not felt by both parents. When the situation is explained to the child, this can lead to an impression of understanding on why the breakup occurred.
This understanding can help the child cope with the current situation, and therefore gradually release tension toward the child’s parents, and to others as well.
2) More time with each other- Tension sensed during the discussions on separation and divorce lead to neglecting children. Screaming matches, and not speaking to one another are common feelings felt by children and the parent.
The effect of being a single parent therefore gives more time to address the needs of children, and open communication channels between the two. Planning vacations, and bonding sessions with each other can be a result of this. More time would lead to a more at ease family atmosphere.
3) Re-establishing affiliations with the community- Children and parents can work together, and could even make relationships with the community because of this effect of single parenting.
Single parents can ask help from their neighbors regarding the care of their children, such as baby-sitting or helping out with household chores. This often leads to a positive feeling of involvement on both the parent and the child, and the neighborhood besides.
4) Out of the box experience to the child- Since the child now shuttles between two separate parents, the child can broaden his/her experiences pertaining to life. The child is more sensitive and aware to what goes around his/her life, and can feel that the world does not center on them as they once thought.
5) A sense of accomplishment – When a child is assigned with small duties, a sense of accomplishment typically is felt. Since further obligations have been added, a feeling of receptiveness is added to the sense of accomplishment felt. This is because a feat has been done to help out in the home. This makes the child feel that he/she is an important member of the household.
6) Prioritizing to lead to work and life balance – Single parents need to learn the value of prioritizing. Occasionally, new tasks are needed to be able to look for new types of jobs to support the family.
Schedules, school and financial responsibilities need to be prioritized to be able to maintain work and life equilibrium. Attaining work life equilibrium is a continuous challenge to the parent, due to additional responsibilities of managing a family.
7) Active role in decision making – Children can play an active role in the decision making of single parents. Single parents need additional minds to think most importantly in making major decisions.
Tags: Children, single parenting
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