Single Parenting and Self Esteem of the Adolescent Child

Single parenting and self esteem of the adolescent child – how does one affect the other? Does single parenting really have a negative impact on the adolescent child's self esteem?

The answer: no, responsible single parenting does not have a negative effect on an adolescent child's self esteem. Cornell University agrees.

First published in 1999 and then followed up with a subsequent study of 1500 adolescents ranging in age from 12 to 13 years of age;

It has been determined that as long as the single parenting – mothers, in particular, have adequate parenting skills the children are not at risk for developmental and behavioral issues.

The study gathered information from a multiethnic group of adolescents between 12 and 13. The parents of these children mostly gave birth to them around the age of 21. They defined single motherhood as a parent without a live in partner at the time of the study.

What does this mean for single mothers? The study clearly shows that single parenting and self esteem of the adolescent child is not negatively affected by a competent single mother.

By assessing children's performances in math, reading, and vocabulary there were no risk factors attributed to single parenting. In addition, there were no signs that single parenting and self esteem of the adolescent child contributed to behavioral problems.

So when would single parent and the self esteem of the adolescent child have a negative impact on the teen / preteen? If the single parent is having difficulty coping with single parenthood or if there are other issues in addition to the marital status of the parent,

There may be a negative impact on the self esteem of the adolescent. For example financial issues or constant fighting with an ex-spouse or partner can have serious negative effects on a child.

Most single parents do not fall into this group. Now single mothers can rest assured that they are not negatively impacting the health and welfare of their adolescent children by remaining single.

Although other's may disagree, the results of this study are particularly lucid. As long as the single mother is a good mother with competent parenting skills, her children will not suffer as a result of her marital status.

This holds true across multiethnic lines. Caucasians, Hispanics, and African American single mothers are not negatively affecting their adolescent children by remaining single.

Cornell has proven what we mothers knew all along. If you love your children and raise them with love and respect, they will flourish and become all that they can be.

As long as we are good parents our marital status should not be a sole reason to mark our children as "at risk". Single parenting and self esteem of the adolescent child go hand in hand.

If the parent is a good, competent parent then you can expect a child with good self esteem. If the single parent is angry or abusive then the child will suffer and they will end up with poor self esteem.

Parenting classes should be available to all single parents. This way they can ensure that they are doing the best for their children.

References:
http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/May04/single.parents.ssl.html

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