Single Parent Struggle Argumentative

For many years, children growing up in a single parent family have been considered ‘different’. Being raised by only one parent seems to be wrong and impossible to do, but over the decades it has become more normal as such. Today in the 21st century many children have grown up to become stable and successful whether they had one or two parents to tell them what is right and wrong. The issue lies in the progression of children being raised by single parents versus children being raised by both a mother and a father. When looked at closely this topic becomes a lot more intriguing. What most people do not understand is that raising a child so that they are emotionally stable and know the correct values should not rely on the structure of the family. Focus should be put on what the child is like. Children of single parents are just as progressive with emotional and social skills as those with two parents. People make their minds up too quickly and believe that the only way for children to gain full emotional and social skills is to be raised by both a mother and father. When a topic as large as this one it is simply impossible to blame children who have not progressed as others down to only have one parent. From the article “Single-parent families cause juvenile crime” by Robert L. Maginnis states, “children from single-parent families are more likely to have behaviour problems because they tend to lack economic security and adequate time with parents”

This basic statement just proves shows that people believe that because a child is from a single parent family that they are most likely to miss out on certain things. Never the less, just because a child is from a single parent family does not mean they are the most likely to be criminals. There will be many reasons to why a child is being raised by only a mother or a father and what they need to understand is that it can be extremely difficult. It is most likely that a single parent will work full time to be able to provide for themselves and their child. They also must allow time to spend time with their time. However hard it may be for single-parents they still manage to cope. That then leads on to the other side of the argument. Single parenting is a subject that is looked down upon by many people, what they must understand is that single parents are becoming a lot more common as the days go on. Since 1995 the American family structure for children between ages 14-18 consists of 42% living in first marriage family with both parents, 22%
living in second marriage (step-family), 21% living in a single parent, divorced or separated family, 6% living in a single parent who has never married therefore leaving 3% living in a single parent widowed family.

As much as it hurts this is a horrible statistic, seeing that 58% of children are living in a single parent family. It is not a very nice statistic as it shows how little faith is put into a relationship before actually having children. Horribly not all single-parents take the time to perform the vital tasks that they should to raise their child. Parents who knew they wouldn’t have been able to carry out the duty of becoming a responsible and reliable parent should have thought about that before deciding to have children. If you do decide to become a parent there are many things you can do to enhance your performance as a parent. Robert L. Maginnis later states that “Boys who do not have fathers as male role models suffer especially” although some may say it is important for a boy to have a father figure there are many other ways of teaching a boy lessons he needs to know for future life. Single-parents aren’t always alone, many of them have other family members that are willing to help when needs be. Just because a boy does not have a father figure does not mean he has nobody else, he will get the attention he needs from a member of his family or even just a friend. Children who are raised by both a mother and father are known to receive more attention but two parents doesn’t necessary equate to attention and of course emotionally support.

However children from single parent backgrounds may be better off in some situations. As in many cases this rings true but not in all. Yes you may be living with both your mother and your father it will have its faults, there would be nothing worse growing up in a two parent family who did nothing but argue. All children, no matter what type of family they come from will automatically follow in their parents footsteps. So therefore thinking it’s okay to argue with the ones they are supposed to love. A child being raised by one parent, who devotes their time and emotion into their child would benefit much more than a child who has both parents that shows their child fighting and arguing is acceptable.

There is no difference between a bad single parent and a bad set of parents. Fred and Rose West were a happily married “mum and dad”. Yet they murdered their own daughter and numerous other young females. Showing that not all families are lucky enough to be happy and healthy, is it important for society to notice structural differences within a family and do something to help. There should be government funded programmes to help assist single-parent families with finance so that they can still have time with their child. The child will always become what they have been taught to be from a young age, these children are deeply affected emotionally by the amount of effort that is put into raising them. No matter what the family structure is there should be an aspect of respect and strong morals that they should know for their future life.