Facts About Single Parenting

Some people may have misconceptions about people who are raising their children on their own, but knowing the facts about single parenting can increase understanding of families headed by one person.

There is no such thing as "typical" single parents. Some of them are in their teens, but others attain that status in their 20's, 30's, or 40's. Single parents may have young children at home, while others have grown children.

Not all single parents are people who have never been married. Some people become single parents due to divorce or because they are widowed. Others become single parents by choice. No matter how old they are or what the circumstances that led to their becoming single parents are, they have challenges that are different from dual parent homes.

For one thing, they need to take on the role of mother and father to their children. In dual parent families, ideally the parents share their responsibilities, but in a single parent home this is not possible. Single parents can and should get help from friends, family members and resources in the community to get some time to themselves.

To get an idea of the impact that single parenting has on society in the United States, consider these statistics provided by Parents Without Partners:

• According to the US Census of 2000, 13.5 million people in the United States were raising 21.7 children (under 21 years of age) on their own.

• In 2000, the percentage of households made up of married couples and their children was 24 percent. In 1970, 40 percent of American households were the "traditional" nuclear family of two parents and their children.

• Five percent of households were headed by men in 2000. In 1970, single dads accounted for only one percent of households.

• Most single parents are not able to support themselves and their children solely on the support payments they receive from their children's father. The average amount paid in child support each year is $4,900.00.

• Since they don't receive a level of financial support that would allow them to stay at home to raise their children, most single parents work. When their children are small, most of them work part time.

• Eighty-nine percent of single fathers are employed, and seventy-seven percent of single mothers have jobs.

• Many single parents own their own homes. Fifty-eight percent of single fathers and forty-nine percent of single mothers either currently own or are planning to buy their own home.

• The percentage of single parents living in poverty is declining. In 1993, one-third of single parents and their children lived in poverty, and by 1999, just over 25 percent of single parent families were living in those circumstances.

• Some young, single parents may get help from their parents to raise their children. Approximately 5.6 million children in the United States are being brought up by their grandparents.

• Approximately 33 percent of single mothers have never been married.

• Just under half of all single parents (48 percent of single father homes and 44 percent of single mother homes) lived in suburban areas.

• Thirty percent of single parents are on social assistance.

Another of the facts about single parents is that there will always be some parents in North American society that are raising their children on their own. Now that divorce has lost the stigma that it had in the past, people are less likely to stay in marriages that they don't find fulfilling. The numbers of single parents may continue to rise or stabilize when the next census results are published, but all parents trying to raise their children on their own need the help and support of people around them to do so effectively.

• Children Playing
• 10 Parenting Tips
• Halloween Trivia for Kids
• Bible Trivia for Kids
• Trivia Questions for Kids

• Disney Princess Coloring Pages
• Teen Birthday Party Ideas
• Pros and Cons of School Uniforms
• Children's Birthday Cake Ideas
• Kids' Hair Styles

• Single Parenting
• Parenting Classes
• Parenting Advice from Reverend Crutchfield
• Child Behavior: Parenting Tips
• Parenting Advice