By :Christopher Ray Green Menlo College 2009

“One of the most robust demographic trends of recent years has been the increasing number of children growing up in single-parent families. The number reflects high rates of both marital dissolution and children born to unwed mothers. The trend concerns analysts because single-parent status is associated with adjustment problems for children.” (Ackerman, D’Earmo, Umylny, Schultz, & Izard, 2001). Purpose of this study is to reveal the impact of single-parenting on child development.

Family Structure Divorce Single Fathers/Mothers Education Reflection

Family structure refers to two-parent (intact families), single mom or dad, single by divorce or death, stepparent homes, and foster families. Children from single or step-parent homes score lower on test performance than children from two parent homes (Zimiles & Lee, 1991). Family structure vs. Home Environment (Ackerman, 2001).

Every year more than 1 million children in the United States experience the divorce of their parents (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1989, p.87). Big misunderstanding: Divorce is a sequence of events (Hetherington, 1980). Timing of divorce can either help or hurt process Contact with noncustodial parent will reduce developmental issues that may occur through divorce

There are different challenges, rewards, and tasks that the parent and child will deal with according to the gender of parent and child. Single mothers- Better with children’s psychosocial characteristics (Lee, Kushner, Cho, 2007). Single fathers- Important in explaining cognitive development and social initiative (Lee, Kushner, Cho, 2007). Children living with the same-sex parent were better adjusted (Santrock & Warshak, 1979).

Students from step-parent and single-parent families are almost three times likely to drop out of school as their counterparts from intact families 7% vs. 20% (Zimiles & Lee, 1991). Children living with like-gender parents are less likely to drop out than children who live in home with a parent of opposite gender (Zimiles & Lee, 1991). Face higher risk of low academic achievement and dropping out (Pong, Dronkers, & Thompson, 2003)

Find a way to work with former spouse (if divorced) Be a parent Make peace with situation Consult with others about decisions (outside support) Proper parenting