The purpose of this paper is to examine the mental health and stability of children in single-parent homes, as well as to analyze the child's capacity to form lasting relationships. we will also look at parental separation, depression, school behavior and adjustment, sexual development and identity problems faced by these children, and the parent's role in preventing or abetting these problems.
Millions of children in America today live in single-parent households, the vast majority of these families consisting of a working mother and one or more children. As the divorce rate increases, this situation is likely to grow. Before looking at the effects of this type of environment on the child himself, we should first examine some basic facts about single working parents.
How a child reacts to a parent working is strongly colored by his perceptions of why the parent works. The parent should give much careful thought to explaining the reason to him, without making the mistake of getting overly involved in explanations beyond his grasp. The eleven year old has little trouble understanding that the family needs the mother's income to help pay expenses. The child may even be able to sympathize with her mother's need to do something constructive with her time.
However, let a mother who is the sole support of a three year old son tell him that she works because she needs the money and he might make her a present of $100 in pay money as an inducement to stay home. Instead, the pre-schooler will probably accept the entire concept better if the parent presents it matter-of-factly and with as little possible. The school-age child is not swayed by lengthy explanations, either (Bayrakal, 1990) but will respond easily to the fruits of his mother's labors. The child will appreciate that his or her allowance comes from the fact that the parent earns a living.
No matter what contortions the parent goes through to avoid these dilemm...