Single parent is an adjective that is used to describe the family that consists of the father or mother with their children . These family groups, therefore, are headed by only one of the parents and not by both.
Different interpretations
When the parent lives with his children in an independent home, it is a classic single-parent family. There are cases, however, where the father or mother resides with their descendants in a house where other relatives also live (such as the children's grandparents or uncles): in this situation we usually speak of the existence of a single-parent nucleus in a larger family group.
Beyond the definition given above, certain nuances are often taken into account to understand what a single-parent family is. In a broad sense, if a 60-year-old woman lives with her 90-year-old mother , it is a single-parent family. But generally the expression is used to refer to an adult who lives with his minor children .
Emergence
Sometimes the single-parent family is formed based on a voluntary decision by the adult . This happens if a woman decides to be a single mother and undergoes an artificial insemination process, to mention one possibility. Undesirable circumstances, on the other hand, can lead to the formation of a single-parent family (as happens if the father leaves and abandons the woman and her child).
In the first case, since it arises by decision of the adult, the development of the single-parent family can be very positive and solid. Although there are those who argue that every child should have both parents for a healthy upbringing , this idea is increasingly outdated and imprecise, since there are plenty of negative examples in traditional families and positive ones in others.
When single-parenthood occurs due to an accident or abandonment, on the other hand, achieving stability and happiness can be much more difficult. Being left without the other half unexpectedly sometimes leads to blaming the child, an injustice that can mark him or her forever. It is also common to fall into some form of depression that prevents adults from protecting their child properly .
Disadvantages of single parent family
It is important to note that, according to different studies, single-parent families tend to be poorer than families with two parents. This is because there is only one source of income and the adult faces additional difficulties in having to take care of children and earn income alone.
As we mentioned in the previous section, there are those who point out that every child should be raised by his father and mother, and for these opponents of the single-parent family, the concept itself represents a disadvantage in itself. However, this vision is very closed , since in the first place it denies the mere possibility of family groups composed of two fathers or two mothers. Furthermore, love is not guaranteed in any family, and it is arguably the most important thing in life.
This disdain for families consisting of a single adult and his children can be ignored to a certain extent, to prevent it from negatively affecting the development of the nucleus. However, its strength is considerable in many areas of society, starting with school, where looks and gossip can do a lot of harm to those who do not have a traditional family structure. In short, it is possible to talk about material disadvantages, such as lack of monetary income, or subjective ones, such as hatred and discrimination ; In any case, governments should help all families progress.