Single-parent families can be defined as families where a parent lives with dependent children, either alone or in a larger household, without a spouse or partner. Single parent families have become a permanent and noticeable feature in many societies today. As the traditional structure of husband, wife, and children gives way to other forms of family life have you ever wonder why. Single-parent families are generally categorized by the sex of the custodial parent (mother-only or father-only families).
Today’s single mother does not necessarily fit the old stereotype of an unwed teen living on welfare. Unwed motherhood has lost much of its stigma. In addition, many women are better educated and better able to support themselves—so marriage is no longer a financial prerequisite to motherhood. Mother-only families include widows, divorced and separated women, and never-married mothers. In the case of divorce, mothers are usually given custody. In the past, father-only families formed as a result of widowhood, desertion by the mother, or wives refusing custody. There has been a major increase in the number of single fathers. Single fathers are twice as common in white families when compared to black families
The increase in births to unwed mothers is the consequence of unplanned, accidental pregnancy, this includes teenage mothers, as well as adult women who delay marriage while pursuing educational and career opportunities, increasing the probability of pregnancy outside of marriage. Contributing factors to teen pregnancy are because of adult role models; peer pressure; poverty; and inadequate sex education, especially about contraception and family planning
Another contributing form of single parenting is women who choose to have or adopt and raise and raise a child or children alone. technology development allows women to have children a partner. people who choose this road single parent or a same sex partner, single women who are near the end of there child bearing years
Zhonelle,s blog 