Children in Single-Parent Homes With Emotional Problems
With one parent trying to do the work of two, a single-parent home can easily be filled with stress, disorganization and an ultimate lack of resources. In fact, it is often suggested that these disadvantages cause children in single-parent homes to develop emotional problems. Does this Spark an idea?
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Disadvantages
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Single parents often need to work diligently to earn enough money to provide for the family. As a result, the children often need to pitch in at home. With these added responsibilities, children might feel stressed and begin to resent the situation. If the parent spends long hours at work, the children might also feel lonely and/or unimportant.
Emotional Problems
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If a child experiences negative emotions from living in a single-parent home, he may develop emotional problems. These problems might include depression, anxiety and addictions.
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Underlying Factors
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Although the phrase "single-parent home" typically conjures up images of divorce or unwed parents, the situation may also be the result of a parent's death. Additionally, one parent may need to leave the home for an extended period of time, such as for work or military deployment. Rather than immediately linking the emotional problems to the single-family home, it might help to first consider the underlying reason for the family's situation.
Considerations
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While there seems to be a correlation between a child's emotional problems and living in a single-parent home, it may still be the best option for some families. In fact, the Encyclopedia of Children's Health notes that children living in a two-parent home with an abusive or antisocial parent typically experience worse effects than children in a single-parent home with a non abusive parent.
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References
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