Single-Parent Homes in the United States

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Children growing up in the United States come from different homes yet, all experience and understand the meaning of family. Some children grow up with in single parent family, or with a mother and father. Family is a big part of their lives and beliefs. Researchers bring forth evidences, that being brought up by one parent can physically and mentally destroy a child’s future. Growing up in any type of family can affect a child’s life emotionally, physically, and socially. Children can still be successful in life regardless of being raise by either a single or joint family. Success is not determine by who raise a child, but determine by what the child wants to become in life. Do researchers have a valid point with who raises a child can determine their success in life? Even though the odds are against children from single parent homes being successful children still can succeed. In Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” she tells a story of a single mom who raises two daughters and the mother has to play a role of both mother and father. In the story “Mama” is describe as a strong loving mother to daughters Dee and Maggie. She rejects a traditional gender role when she works to raise and provide for her daughters; instead she takes on an alternative masculine role. “Mama” is proud of her hardy nature and ability to butcher hogs and milk cows. Maggie is the youngest in the story describe as a nervous disturb young lady, and is severely burned in a house fire as a child. Maggie lives at home and is protected by her Mama from the outside world, but this only is making her a victim of shelter. As a result, she suffers from a crippling shyness and lack of education. Maggie’s relationship with her older sister Dee is common with sisters like... ... middle of paper ... ...national Journal of Eating Disorders 42.2 (2009): 153-157. Academic Search Premier. Guttmann, Joseph, and Michal Rosenberg. "Emotional Intimacy and Children's Adjustment: A Comparison Between Single-Parent Divorced and Intact Families." Educational Psychology 23.4 (2003): 457. Professional Development Collection. Kennedy, X. J., and Dana Gioia. Backpack literature: an introduction to fiction, poetry, and drama. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2006. Print. Pike, Lisbeth T. "Effects of Parent Residency Arrangements on the Development of Primary School-Aged Children." Family Matters 57 (2000): 40. MasterFILE Premier. Rozumah, Baharudin, Chi Yee Hong, Sin Jing Lim, and Zulkefly Nor Sheereen. "Educational Goals, Parenting Practices and Adolescents' Academic Achievement." Asian Social Science 6 (2010): 144-152. Academic Search Complete. Web. 6 Apr. 2011.

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