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Home » Articles & Information »
Family &
Relationships » "Single Parenting and Today's
Family"

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Single Parenting and Today's Family

Over the past 20 years single-parent families have become even more common
than the so-called "nuclear family" consisting of a mother, father and children.
Today we see all sorts of single parent families: headed by mothers, headed by
fathers, headed by a grandparent raising their grandchildren.

Life in a single parent household - though common - can be quite stressful
for the adult and the children. Members may unrealistically expect that the
family can function like a two-parent family, and may feel that something is
wrong when it can not. The single parent may feel overwhelmed by the
responsibility of juggling caring for the children, maintaining a job and
keeping up with the bills and household chores. And typically, the family's
finances and resources are drastically reduced following the parents' breakup.

Single parent families deal with many other pressures and potential problem
areas that the nuclear family does not have to face. Some of these are:
-
Visitation and custody problems;
- The effects of continuing conflict between
the parents;
- Less opportunity for parents and children to spend time
together;
- Effects of the breakup on children's school performance and peer
relations;
- Disruptions of extended family relationships;
- Problems
caused by the parents' dating and entering new relationships.

The single parent can help family members face these difficulties by talking
with each other about their feelings and working together to tackle problems.
Support from friends, other family members and the church or synagogue can help
too. But if family members are still overwhelmed and having problems, it may be
time to consult an expert.

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