Importance Of Single Parents In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Atticus goin’ it alone. Single-parent families are more common than you think. A recent study by Sara McLanahan with The Harvard Press shows that about 25% of families are headed by single-parents in today’s society. A family that is run by one adult, struggles much more than a family with two adults. This was a problem in the 1930s, as demonstrated in the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. Single-parent homes are still a relevant problem in the 21st century. Atticus Finch became a single-parent due to the death of his spouse, in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Atticus’ injustice in the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, is that he had no choice in becoming a single-parent. Raising his children to be honest, respectable and proper was important to …show more content…

Parenting strategies imprint a child’s long term outcome in their adult days. Parents can and do, influence a child’s: personality, social development, what they learn, how they think, feel, and act (Lansford). In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus influences and guides his children by correcting them when they go wrong and showing love to each of them. Raising a child can be very difficult at times. It can be even more hectic with only one parent guiding a child through their early years. There are many choices a parent can make when addressing a child such as rejection over acceptance and neglect vs indulgence. Each of these choices influence the child’s reaction and will shape the attitudes and behaviors of the youth (Kleist). The parenting tactics of an adult will contribute to how a child reacts to the world as they grow up. As an illustration, in To Kill a Mockingbird, Mayella Ewell felt mocked and disrespected when Atticus was addressing her as Miss and talking to her with respect. Mayella responds to Atticus' remarks by saying, “Long’s as he keeps on callin’ me ma’am an sayin’ Miss Mayella. I don’t hafta take his sass,

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