Experts have conducted interesting studies into the effects single parenting has on children from a variety of angles. Examples include Elizabeth C. Cooksey and Patricia H. Craig dealing with Men’s involvement in parenting in the US writing on Parenting from a distance: The effects of paternal characteristics on contact between non-residential fathers and their children
Their research deals with the effects both marital and fertility behavior have had on the role of father. Their data source is the National Survey of Families and Households whereby they examine various socio-demographic, situational and attitudinal characteristics that may bear on the degree of interaction between non-residential fathers and their minor children. In looking at the effects single parenting has on children, their approach to distance parenting shows that few facets bear influence on both visiting and talking over the phone or letter writing. Some, such as the presence of multiple children in a household predict visiting only, while others – child’s age and gender – predict only verbal/written contact. They also find that some of the life-course decisions dads make influence their involvement with non-residential children, whilst other decisions reinforce their parenting traits.
Punishment and the psyche
Vonnie C. McLoyd, Toby Epstein Jayaratne, Rosario Ceballo and Julio Borquez, experts on the effects single parenting has on children write on Unemployment and Work Interruption among African American Single Mothers: Effects on Parenting and Adolescent Socio-emotional Functioning Child Development
Their paper was published on behalf of the Society for Research in Child Development and uses interview data from 241 single African American mothers and their seventh- and eighth-grade children. The research tests a model consisting of 2 economic stressors; maternal unemployment and work interruption and consdier how they influence adolescent socio-emotional functioning.
Their findings on effects single parenting has on children show that economic stressors affect adolescent socio-emotional functioning indirectly, rather than directly. This occurs through their impact on mothers’ psychological functioning as well as parenting behavior and mother-child relations. According to the authors; ‘Current unemployment, but not past work interruption, had a direct effect on depressive symptomatology in mothers. As expected, depressive symptomatology in mothers predicted more frequent maternal punishment of adolescents, and this relation was fully mediated by mothers’ negative perceptions of the maternal role.’
When mothers punished their children more frequently, in context to the effects single parenting has on children, this was shown to add to stress and depressive symptoms in teenagers. In addition, interactions under such circumstances depended on the quality of their relationship with their mothers. The more they were able to support their children, the less depression the experienced and as a result the less they punished their teens. Financial issues showed to be an indicator of how adolescents view economic hardship depending on their mother’s behaviour in this regard. The effects single parenting has on children can also bear on how adolescents consider their families to experience – and perceive – higher levels of anxiety, hardships, stress and self-esteem.
Keith A. Crnic and Mark T. Greenberg investigate; Minor Parenting Stresses with Young Children. The work of these experts is conducted in relation to the effects single parenting has on children among 74 mothers and their 5-year-old children. They considered the angle of major life stress and minor daily hassles associated with parenting. Mothers completing questionnaires concerning the following:
- stressors;
- aspects of parenting and individual psychological status;
- social support;
- family functioning; and
- child behavioral status.
Mother/child pairs were also observed in interactions in a laboratory setting. These analyses of the effects single parenting has on children indicated that life stress and parenting daily hassles significantly predicted aspects of child, parent, and family status. Further analyses showed that mothers’ social support moderated the influence of these hassles on aspects of maternal behavior.
The positive effects single parenting has on children
Positive and negative is often in the eye of the beholder and relevant to society’s perceptions thereof, sometimes these are based on assumptions. As you raise your children, the following aspects can serve as a basic guideline ensuring that single parenting has a positive affect:
- Develop Strong Bonds: One-on-one time spent with your child, otherwise not have been possible in a two-parent unit, forges a deep bond. This connection will stay long beyond their 18th birthday and into their adult years.
- Experience Community: If the family is far away your local neighbourhood will have single parent support groups, churches, and synagogues designed to champion the entire family.
- Shared Responsibilities: In deciding the direction of the effects single parenting has on children and which ones you wish for them to take, realise that your children’s contributions around the house will make them feel like they are adding value. By acknowledging this they will develop a sense of pride which fosters good self esteem.
- Handle Conflict and Disappointment: How you deal with your ex and others in tough situations can rub off, use these opportunities to show the kids how to deal with disappointments early in life so they are equipped and ready.
Additional positive effects single parenting has on children shows that they;
- Are happy not to see their parents fighting all of the time
- Will form a closer bond with the custodial single parent
- Tend to become independent sooner
- Will learn to handle difficult situations better
- Will one day be more understanding of their future spouse and children
The role of stigmas in the negative effects single parenting has on children
In looking at research on this topic, one has first to understand whether the negative effects single parenting has on children are from the parenting itself, or as a result of single parent circumstances. After all, it may not be as clinical as this when one takes a deeper look. As a result of divorce rates hikes and such more research has been conducted into single parenting and certain negative effects have become by-products. These include the following unfortunate stereotypes as portrayed in the media;
- negative social stigmas
- reduced educational achievement
- economic depressors
- anti-social behaviour
- self esteem issues
Societal stigma is the hardest factor to overcome because it is so heavily imbedded in the global mind. This is ironic since most people don’t choose to be single by choice, who knows how they would fare without the heavy stigma in the first place. In the Netherlands a study revealed that the weak social position of the mother is a cause of the negative effects single parenting has on children.
Single-parent children are cited as having a tendency to do badly at school. This is supported by assumptions such as that the single parent does not have resources or provide educational opportunities. While this assumption holds a certain amount of ground, it holds true also for two parent units living in poverty – and as a result can be argued as being circumstantial. It is obvious that being a single parent child is complex in itself. Children will mirror their parent’s actions, thoughts and feelings. Stigmas attached to single parenting will sometime result in children being bullied at school. This makes them withdrawn and depressed. In fact , according to research conducted at Cornell University in regard to the effects of single parenting has on children, especially with single mothers, the academic and behavioural progress of the child showed no harmful effects.
Effects single parenting has on children because of stigmas attached, include that they are likely to suffer from mental health problems. Research has also claimed that the children of single parents are more likely to be irresponsible in their behaviour when it comes to drug and alcohol abuse and sexual expression. As long as they believe the world is a safe and loving place these behaviours will be unlikely with a foundation of strong enough self esteem.
Parental interactions form a powerful base, from which children define their own identities and relationships from a young age. This shapes the child’s world and life, role models need to be wholesome but not ‘perfect’ and unattainable. In order to overcome the negative effects single parenting has on children ignore the social stigmas and do your best with pride. Happy kids suffer less social issues, with support and love they can overcome the toughest financial and psychological obstacles. The emotional foundations will assist in providing a safety net against many of the negative effects single parenting has on children.