While some two-parent households may find it difficult to raise children today, imagine how increasingly difficult it must be for a single parent. Here are some facts about single parenting that will dispel many myths associated with it.
What was once thought as the exception to the rule is now becoming the norm. Statistics reveal that there are approximately 59% of children in the US who are raised by single parents. In fact, over 15 million children live in single-parent homes today.
Another fact about single parenting is that there is no more emotional or behavioral problems experienced by children that those who are raised by a two-parent household. Thus, children who live with a single parent grow up just as healthy and are just as emotionally secure as children who live with two parents.
Sometimes children who live with a single parent are labeled. Their peers may tease them about coming from a broken home or that one parent left because of them. Yes, kids can be cruel. The fact is that children have nothing to do with the fact that moms and dads fall out of love or can no longer live with each other. In fact, when a parent leaves, it opens the door for a more peaceful and stable home life. Moreover, single parents are just as creative and responsible that dual parents.
Another myth that has to be dispelled is that children who grow up with single parents lose their self-worth and confidence. This is so far from the truth. A child’s self-worth is no more dependent upon a single parent than two parents. Situations can occur in both households wherein children lose their self-esteem due to peer pressure and other outside forces that make them feel less confident. A good parent will teach their child to become a viable member of society, filled with self-love and respect for oneself and others.
Another notion that single parents cannot sufficient raise children is a misnomer. There are more single parents today who are successfully raising children despite the many challenges they face. They hold jobs, take care of the kids, and complete all of the daily tasks that face them.
If there is a problem in a single family household, there are a number of support groups for single parents wherein they can network with other single parents and discuss issues that all are familiar with and can help each other learn to cope with the day to day trials and tribulations of raising children. More importantly, single parents learn very early on how to nurture their children and give them the wisdom and strength to become independent members of society.
Just as there are many myths, the aforementioned facts about single parenting are just the tip of the iceberg. Every day there are children who have to face living with one parent either because of divorce, separation, or death. Single parents can and do provide for their children in countless ways. To suggest otherwise is the greatest myth of all.
