Single Parent Families

Single parent is the term used for a mother or father who raises children below 18 years without help from the other parent. Formerly typical single parent is a unwed teenager or a young widow, but today this term is used for several reasons. Single fathers though not as common as the single mother, but much more than a generation ago. They are usually married and divorced.  In most cases it is not a choice made by both parents but circumstances have thrown them into these situations.

Statistics reveal that the number of single parents are on the rise for several  reasons  as people are falling away from the traditional biological father, mother and children concept. Marriage is no longer considered sacred and the law has made it easier for divorce and remarriage. Cultural acceptance of living together is another reason for more single parents. This is more common in developed countries which seems to have come to terms with this way of life, while in some of the developing countries a single parent is still considered a social stigma.

There are many reasons to be a single parent which could be due to a divorce where the law decides that one parent has custody of the under 18 years children with the other parent having only visitation rights or they may both have joint custody. In instances where a parent has sole custody, the parent will  bring up the children by themselves.

In some cases the parents may have never married and but there may be instances when the father of the children live with the mother but by law she would still be considered a single parent due to lack of  tangible legal evidence.  

Many are those who become single parents by choice, because they adopt children bringing them up single handedly.    

Educated successful career women who are able to support themselves, sometimes prefer to stay single and enjoy their independence. However they find that being a biological mother is a need that has to be met and if  marriage is not the answer to fulfill this desire, they have many other ways of becoming a parent. Artificial insemination has become the solution to their dream.

In some instances couples who have not been able to bear children due to infertility or physical incapability, have other women who are prepared to go through the pregnancy by becoming the surrogate mothers, usually for a fee.

A happy married couple with children can suddenly be faced with a traumatic situations in life due to death of one parent. It is a choice made by destiny but there are those who make the choice to make your spouse a single parent by abandoning their spouse and their children.

The reasons for being a single parent are many but the challenges that has to be faced by all single parents are more often than not, very similar. Every chore and responsibility, whether be financial, emotional, physical or spiritual, is no longer shared by two, but is the responsibility of one single parent.