Single Parenting

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Facts About Single Parenting

Single parenting is not an easy thing to do. You must be both mother and father to a child or children. Many times, a single parent gives up their social lives in order to be there for the children.

Let's discuss the single statistics parenting facts in order to dispel the myths of single parenting. Based on US Census data for 2000 (the last census year) there were 13.5 million single parents with custody.

This is a very large number. Another fact that the 2000 census brings to light is that most single parent households have more than 1 minor child in the home.

Just looking at these two facts and you can see what an impact single parenting is having on society. When added up there are over 13.5 million minor children in single parent homes.

What does this mean to these children and how are these parents dealing with raising them. Another question to consider is of these million of single parents, how many never have been married?

One myth about single parents is that single moms live on the support they receive from the children's father. This is untrue.

The average amount of monetary support a single parent receives on a yearly basis is about $4,900.00. One person cannot survive on that kind of money, let alone a family.

This is why most single parents have to work. It is more common for single women with custody of minor children to work part-time. The average working salary of a working single parent is $28,000.00.

So when you combine the average working salary with the average amount of yearly support you can see that a single parent on average only takes in just under $33,000.00.

It is very difficult to make ends meet for a family on this salary. Granted these are 2000 numbers, but things have not changed that much.

This definitely dispels the myth that single parents, in particular single moms live a life of luxury living on their support payments. These single parenting facts tell a very different story.

Other myths about single moms are those that pertain to teenage mothers. Facts are many teenage mothers are not lazy, not do they have loose morals. They are either by choice or circumstance single and raising a child.

Many finish high school and go on to graduate college. Being a single teenage mom is one of the most difficult tasks anyone can do. Most are raising a child by themselves or if they are lucky with the help of family.

This is supported by the fact that 5.6 million children are living with their grandparents, according to the 200 census. However, custodial teenage moms are usually trying to balance completing school, working full or part time and caring for a young child.

Many live below the poverty level, which makes things even tougher for them. They are anything but lazy and most teenage moms do not have the time or energy to put into a boyfriend or other relationship.

Now that we have examined the facts about single parenting, maybe the rest of the world will stop being so judgmental.

Single parents are responsible, hardworking individuals who are raising productive, happy and healthy children with few resources. It is time we looked at them in a different light.

References:
http://www.parentswithoutpartners.org

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