The Effects of a Single Parent Home on a Child's Behavior

Single parents can find it difficult to discipline their children.

Children behave differently growing up in a single-parent environment than in a traditional two-parent family. The Kids Health website states that there are more than 20 million single parents in the United States. Kids growing up in a single-family home may experience stronger emotions such as anger, anxiety or sadness. If undetected, these emotions can affect a child's behavior further, resulting in poor grades, aggressiveness, social withdrawal and social problems.

School Life

Single parents accept additional roles and responsibilities, more so than parents in traditional two-parent household. Single parents occupied with work can become so busy that they forget to help their child with homework or school projects. This can cause a child or adolescent to get lower grades and may result in a higher absentee rate. A 1997 study reported in the McGill Journal of Education found that children with a family structure, which includes the parent's involvement with the child's academics, showed higher grades than children whose parents who were not involved. A single-family structure may not always contribute to poor school performance, but children growing up in single-parent homes with low incomes may be more likely to perform poorly in school.

Home Life

Children in single-parent homes may have problems expressing their feelings verbally, and may have sudden outbursts of anger or anxiety. According to U.S. Census Bureau, the absence of one parent may increase the risk of your child developing depression, stress, anxiety and aggression. There are many ways to help your child with these emotions. You can talk with him directly, seek counseling as a family or have your child speak one-on-one with a counselor.

When there are no rules established within a single-parent household, a child may become erratic. Therefore, establishing a few rules is necessary. Some rules may include time limits on watching TV, using the Internet and playing video games. According to the University of Michigan Health Systems, children who view noneducational TV shows at an early age can develop attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Friendships

Children who do not receive attention at home may lack discipline and guidance; this could increase the risk of your child becoming a bully. Adolescents in single-parent households are at risk for exposing themselves to dangerous situations and increase the risk of them joining gangs, drinking alcohol or using drugs.

Health

Children growing up in single-parent homes -- mainly where there is a mother only -- may often suffer from illnesses and have higher absentee rates in school, according to the Marriage and Family Encyclopedia. This is usually due to a decline in finances and the lack of health insurance.

References

• Marriage and Family Encyclopedia: Single-Parent Families - The Effects On Children
• Adoption: Single Parenting and Children's Academic Achievement
• U.S. Census Bureau: Poverty, Family Structure, and Child Well-Being: October 29, 2009
• University of Michigan Health Systems: Your Child Development and Behavior: August 2010
• Kids Health: Living With a Single Parent: June 2010