Statistics have shown that the single parent population continues to grow in the United States. Although it is still predominantly made up of single mothers, the number of single fathers also continues to rise. In 2013, according to the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, there were two million single fathers in the U.S, which made up 17 percent of custodial single parents (NRFC: “Dad Stats”). It may seem like a small number compared to the number of single mothers that exist today, but does this mean that they are not worth enough to pay attention to? Generally, single fathers are discredited in view of the fact that they cannot go through the pains of pregnancy and birthing, and are thus perceived as less competent to take of children whereas single mothers are treated as more praiseworthy and able. Presumably, the social structure of the conventional family in the Western world has changed through the ages, but rightfully so, these ‘unorthodox’ fathers should not stand to be subjected to unfair treatment, based on outdated gender stereotypes. Ergo, these traditions and gender expectations, which also influence the media and …show more content…
Additionally, records provided by the U.S Census Bureau show that in 2010 there were 1.8 million single fathers who made up 15 percent of single parents. Supplementary to this, the factors causing or rather influencing the onset of single fatherhood are; divorce (46 percent), having children out of wedlock (30 percent) which suggests that their partner has abandoned them or is not actively involved, also separation (19 percent), and a small number (6 percent) were affected by the death of their spouse (U.S Census Bureau
In David Blankenhorn’s book written in 1995, he brings to light what he calls “America’s fundamental problem”: our culture of fatherlessness. Our modern day view of fathers is that they are unnecessary both in society and in the upbringing of a child. Blankenhorn argues the contrary: the only way to solve the multitude of social problems present in America is to address the common denominator, the decline of fathers and the shrinking importance of fatherhood. Blankenhorn’s book is split into three parts: Part I: Fatherlessness, Part II: The Cultural Script and Part III: Fatherhood. In Fatherlessness, he provides the history of fatherhood and includes statistics that help to illustrate the transition of the father from head of the household to being “almost entirely a Sunday institution” (pg. 15).
The idea of this article is to help out all the single mothers that raise healthy and strong children. She fights against these stereotypes and studies that say that single mothers are bad and raise bad children. All families are different, which Roiphe explains too, and so many outside factors come into play when raising a bad child and a good child. These studies do not show those, and she sheds light onto them. She compares and contrasts the conservative and liberal views to divide the readers in which one they stand, so then they can understand her whole
The overabundance of debauched dad’s on Television undermines a cultural ideal of responsible fatherhood at a time when that ideal is most needed. At a time when the culture around us is morally crumbling for lack of responsible men leading their families. A time when the divorce rate is 20 X higher than it was 50 years ago. We are in a time when fatherhood is under assault and the consequences of dads disappearing from America’s Family landscape is detrimental to the well-being of fatherless children. The contributors to fatherlessness are only growing, as are the consequences but there is still hope for father-fullness in America today.
In today’s media, numerous journalists, bloggers, and sociologists argue that society as a whole has been damaged by the continuing decimation of the nuclear family. Approximately half of this nation’s population is occupied with citizens adopting the single parent lifestyle. Although many argue that the single parent cannot raise a child as successfully as two parents; however, others contend that the nuclear family setting is most beneficial because both parents directly leads to desired child enhancement. Nonetheless, this dispute needs to be addressed: Are these situations contradicting each other so much that only a single setting would be ethical...
The concepts that Kathleen Genson discusses reinforces the analysis Kramer presented in Chapter 4 “The Family and Intimate Relationships” of The Sociology of Gender. First and foremost, both authors would agree that family is a structure that institutionalizes and maintains gender norms. Both authors would also agree that “families tend to be organized around factors that the individual members cannot control.” In Genson’s chapter “Dilemmas of Involved Fatherhood,” the most prominent forces are the economy and social expectations, both listed and explained by Kramer. Genson’s explanation of how it is unfeasible for men to withdraw from the workforce and focus more time and energy on being involved fathers is an example of the economic factors.
McLoyd, V. C., & Wilson, L. (1992). Telling them like it is: The role of economic and environmental factors in single mothers? discussions with their children. American Journal of Community Psychology, 20, 419-444.
Livingston, Gretchen. The Rise of Single Fathers. 2 July 2013. Web. 11 March 2014 .
In the trajectory of humanity, single parenting has become a concept internationally accepted by most modern cultures. What exactly causes single parenthood? Well there are many factors in which could result in a single parent household. Death of a partner, divorce, and unintended pregnancy are just some of the causes of single parenthood. Based on this worldwide acknowledgement and understanding, single parenthood is usually aided by monetary help from the government or unions. Although financial help is available, the psychological effects a child goes through could never be fixed by any type of cash value. These psychological traumas and mental changes could affect the parent raising the child as well. Even with some financial help, single parents sometimes struggle to make ends meet. A study featured in Time magazine informed Americans that middle to lower class single parents will work 40+ hour weeks at minimum wage to provide for their child. If the parent is so busy at work, who's watching the child? Sometimes, the single parent might still have connection with their own families. Grandma and grandpa have to raise the child since the parent is hard at labor to provide for their offspring. Occasionally, some of our elderly folk do not have the competence to watch over a child. It might even be that the child is too energetic and could wear out the seniors. The child will then resort to the television, street, friends, etc to learn and grow. These influences might be negative for the child especially if they're not coming from the mother or father. An investigation of single parenting leads to the affirmation that raising a child by yourself is very difficult and must be approached very leniently and effectively.
Miller, Naomi. Single Parents by Choice: A Growing Trend in Family Life. New York: Insight, 1992.
It is estimated that 50 percent of all American marriages end in divorce, and that 22 million children in the United States alone live without a father. My parents added to these numbers in 2002, when I was only 5 years old. My mother raised me solely. When I was young, I spent every other weekend traveling eight hours round trip to see my father, but for the past five years I’ve only seen him sparsely — maybe three or four times annually.
Single parenting numbers increase each year. In America there is almost fourteen million single parents raising about thirty-two million children, twenty six percent are under twenty one years of age. Eighty-two percent of single parents are mothers and about eighteen percent are fathers (“Single Parent Statistics-Average Single Parent Statistics”).There are a lot of stereo types about single parents, most of which are untrue, but some can be true also. Single parenting is becoming more common in this generation, and it’s not just because of one reason. There are many reasons these days that there are single parents.
What is a single parent? Is it one who destroys their child’s life? Is it one who ultimately cannot raise a minor on their own? Or is it one who dedicates their lives to the well being of their kid? Imagine a parent, and for whatever reason they were left alone to raise a child. That parent you imagined has to work long hours just to put a meal on the table. That parent has to play the role of the mother and father. That parent has no financial support. Unfortunately, in our society, this image of a single parent is looked down upon. There are people that don’t realize how much a single parent goes through to give their child a better life.
The Family structure has changed significantly in the last fifty years. With higher percentages of marriage ending in divorce, and higher rates of childbearing out of wedlock, single parent families are increasing rapidly. “Seventy percent of all the children will spend all or part of their lives in a single-parent household.” (Dowd) Studies have shown that the children of these families are affected dramatically, both negatively and positively. Women head the majority of single- parent families and as a result, children experience many social problems from growing up without a father. Some of these problems include lack of financial support, and various emotional problems by not having a father around, which may contribute to problems later in life. At the same time, children of single-parent homes become more independent because they learn to take care of themselves, and rely on others to do things for them.
Children’s growth and development start at a very early age. Every child develops at their own pace. Through the stages of development, people are able to see the changes in their emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. A child may grow up to be loud and very outgoing while another may grow up to be quiet and reserved. Some may have more social, emotional, and behavioral problems than others. We know every child, every person is different. Some could have inherited characteristics from their parents. Or some may have picked up these “ways” by observing. Some children may not be in the best of places growing up such as being in a family where physical abuse is present, alcohol and drugs, or family issues between parents leading to divorces. Parents being divorced or having a parent walk out in the family and never returning could negatively impact a growing child especially witnessing the leave.
and the stress of raising a child as a single parent can be all too familiar. Statistics show that a