Single Parenting

->becomes easier to accept this situation as a couple.
So far as the institution of family is concerned, ourHowever, in the case of a single parent, it may lead to
society is predominantly oriented towards two-parentfeelings of hurt and frustration. This sense of loneliness
families. For upbringing and fostering children, theand isolation may repel the individuals from resorting to
presence of both the parents is considered to bea divorce.
essential and fundamental. Any other scenarioOther reason why the prospects of single parenting
deviating from this norm is believed to be inherentlymay prove to be an impediment on the way to a
faulty and damaging. To some extent, it is true also. Tilldivorce is financial insecurity. If one of the spouses
now, human families have been built on the rock ofhappens to be unemployed or not earning enough to
two-parent orientation. This belief has certainlysupport the children, the prospects of raising a family
influenced the micro-intricacies involved in the processalone may seem to be impossible. This could induce
of growing up and becoming an adult. However, bythe aggrieved individual to avoid a divorce, so that the
stressing this norm beyond a limit, we tend to ignorechildren may continue to enjoy the benefits of financial
the necessity and inevitability of social evolution andstability. Research has shown that one of the biggest
individual independence. For relevant reasons, peoplereasons that can jeopardise an attempt at single
may resort to alternate trends which may not beparenting is financial incapacity. Lack of resources may
popular or have a mass support, but are acceptablevitiate the family life and could have damaging effects
and sometimes unavoidable. Single parenting is oneon the personalities of the children. The financial
such trend.self-reliance and self-sufficiency of a single parent is
Several circumstances may lead to the formation of avital for him or her to make his family life a success
single-parent household. However, divorce happens tostory.
be the number one reason. Being a single parent is aPeople tend to be concerned with their progeny's
big challenge in itself and, sometimes, this task maypsychological and emotional health. They want them to
seem to be so undaunting that an individual maygrow up into healthy adults and expect them to have
continue to stick to a festering relationship, rather thanstable relationships with their future life partners. A
moving ahead with his life and accepting the challenge.divorce may deprive them of adult role models and
There are several reasons why people are repelledmay lead them to have unhappy and unsuccessful
by the idea of single parenting.relationships with their spouses. This could turn out to
One possible reason could be concern for the children.be one of the reasons for avoiding a divorce.
People are concerned about their children's growthThus, we have seen that for a number of reasons,
and future and want them to have the advantage of apeople may drop the idea of a divorce and may
regular family. For this, they are willing to bear with theircontinue with their non-functional relationships, rather
personal unhappiness and turmoil. Though this decision,than opting for single parenting. However, many of
in reality, may not be in the best interest of the children,these reasons are based on myths and a logical
yet, the myths prevalent about single parenting mayanalysis of them may dispel these fears. It is good to
motivate the people to suffer for the sake of theirhave adult role models, provided these men and
children.women are emotionally healthy individuals. Children
The other side of the coin is that the problems facedmay suffer greater harm by living in a situation of
by single-parent households are the same as that ofperpetual conflict and discord, rather than having an
regular ones. Yet, the reason they seem to be soeffective and mature single parent. A single parent
difficult is because the person supposed to face themwith relevant family skills and financial ability can raise
tends to be alone. Parenting is a full-time job and maywell-rounded children. Alternate role models may
involve certain situations which could be tackled easilyemerge amongst friends and relatives. Initially after a
as a couple than as a single parent. For example,divorce, things may prove to be tough for the children
during certain phases of their growth, children tend toand the parent responsible for them.
exhibit a critical and hostile attitude towards parents. It