The Struggles of Single-Parent Households

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At the core of every marriage is family, family structure, and family values. These values are passed down from generation to generation. However in recent years the standard North American family has shifted. One of the most striking changes in family structure over the last twenty years has been the increase in single-parent families. With the increase in children being born out of marriage, teen parenting, and other social dilemmas, more children are being raised in single parent household. Single mothers are prevalent in minority groups, especially in the African American community. The African American youth has a stigma of high cases of teen pregnancy, high cases of sexually transmitted diseases, and are more likely to participate in risky behavior when compared to their White counterparts. Studies have shown that children born into single parent households tend to live less healthy lives, participate in risky behavior, and demonstrate behavior problems in the class room. In the article “Single Mothers’ Self- Efficacy, Parenting in the Home Environment…” by Aurora Jackson and Richard Scheines, is a two wave study were researchers interviewed 178 single black mothers and their young children. The study is meant to examine the links between low wage income mothers and their self-efficiency and how that self- efficiency is linked to other psychological wellbeing, parenting styles, and the quality of their parenting styles. The authors argue that depression and other mental and emotional problems that children face are directly linked with the non-residential father and the work load that the mother takes on because of the lack financial support are less likely to be in the household as well. Equally the researchers argue that ... ... middle of paper ... ... young girls have with the staff. Equally as important young men tend to rebel more and be more aggressive. In turn this adds extra stress on the mother which affects her work and her ability to be a good and effective parent. Works Cited Jackson Aurora P, & Scheines Richard. (2005). Single mothers' self-efficacy, parenting in the home environment, and children's development in a two-wave study. Social Work Research, 29(1), 7-7 Kincaid, C., Jones, D., Cuellar, J., & Gonzalez, M. (2011). Psychological control associated with youth adjustment and risky behavior in african american single mother families. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 20(1), 102-110. doi:10.1007/s10826-010-9383-6 Heidi Denler Christopher Wolters Maria Benzon. (Jul 12, 2013). Social cognitive theory. Retrieved 12/5, 2013, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/social-cognitive-theory/

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