Negative Effects of Single-Parent Households

Coming from a disintegrated family can have a huge effect on the children involved. It can even affect the future of the child. Children that grow up in a single-parent household are more likely to have low academic scores. They usually have more problems at home than kids with both parents that keep them from focusing at school. They are also more likely to act violent towards others, to engage in sexual activities at an earlier age, and to experiment with drugs. One reason why this may happen is because single-parent households tend to have a lower income and have to work more. As a result, they don’t have as much time to spend with their children.

Living with financial problems is stressful and can have many emotional effects on children, including low self-esteem, increased anger and frustration, and an increased risk for violent behavior. Other emotional effects of growing up in a single-parent home may include feelings of abandonment, sadness, loneliness, and difficulty socializing and connecting with others.

Another risk these kids face is abuse. In a study of 156 victims of child sexual abuse, researchers found that the majority of the children came from disrupted or single-parent homes. Only 31% of the children lived with both biological parents. Single mothers commit 49% of all child abuse cases. Kids from single-parent families are at a greater risk for teen pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse, high school drop outs, divorce, and for repeating the cycle of abuse they faced.

Sources:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/83670-effects-single-parent-home-childs/
http://www.photius.com/feminocracy/facts_on_fatherless_kids.html
http://www.clipartof.com/portfolio/toonaday/school-kids/2