According to Wikipedia, mono parents are parents without partners in raising a child or children. Thus, a mono parent is one who raises his or her bud solely and lonely, spouseless. Illustrations on mono parents will be at variance from place to place. Each societal mannerism treats and classifies them to their accord.

Treatment of mono parents modify according to where they are put up. Mono parents in urban areas are dealt with in a more positive manner in contrast to those from rural areas. Mono parenting has become a widespread scenario in today’s lifestyle. But not all cultures receive this change in the way of living, with a positive outlook.

Mono parents- Their practicality

The mother or father is left to raise the bud, companionless, due to various causes and reasons. They are singled out due to reasons like annulment, mutual separation (break-up), one of them is imprisoned or has kicked the bucket.

The so called parent, who raises the bud, is not necessary to be blood related to that bud. The DNA affirmation does not really count to classify him or her as a mono parent.

Parenting singly is a mere option opted by the person, if the bud is not his or her organic child. Opting to raise another person’s bud is an aristocratic gesture. As per the latest research, mono parents should get hold of their bud either legally or by adopting or by getting pregnant, unnaturally, or by becoming the surrogate mother.

Thus, mono parenting is a personal option, depending on one’s own individuality. Bringing up a kid is a strenuous task and a costly affair, considering the present standard of living. Mono parenting might not always be successful.

In a few places, where the lifestyle of people is still passé, mono parents are regarded pariah. The reason is that, in those days, parenting children who are not born to them or raising a kid companionless, was considered as sin.

Mono parenting – Today’s Fashion

Latest reports, taken in US, states that, on normal standards, thirty percent of the kids are raises in households of mono parents.

Parents, who are single, are dominantly mothers. The impact of mono parenting is more dawned upon mothers who are singled out. But, mono parents in fatherly figures, are also on a rise. The male being a mono parent is a widespread scenario in Muslim dominated areas, due to the fact that they are yet to acknowledge the capability of a woman.

According to the 2002 poll taken in US, kids growing under the father’s in charge was around ten plus five percent of parenthood. But this data has increased one tenth, over the decade. Thus, its is inferred that in the 20th century, male gender shouldering the responsibility of raising a child was not prominent and such a scenario has changed adversely, as the lifestyle of people shifted.

Mono parenthood

Flow through the life, is what our living preaches us. Mono parenting has become a common gesture in our day to day life. Accept the change. Live the way you want. Mono parenting, a sin, has become passé. The kids raised parents are not seen indifferently now. In fact, present regulations are in favor of such parents and children and the kids are protected from close minded people, by these legislation.

Nowadays, mono parenthood has become a part and parcel of the societal mannerisms. In fact, mono parents are acknowledged and appreciated for their strength of will and aristocratic gesture.

The emotional reaction which a person has on hearing the phrase “single parent family” might very well depend on his or her age.

For Americans who came of age before 1975, the mental picture of an ideal family, as portrayed by the media, included two parents, one of whom, usually the father, was the breadwinner. Those children who came from homes with only one parent present were considered, by researchers, to be experiencing a “Family Deficit Model.” Hardly an attitude designed to help single parents and their children feel good about themselves.

Even worse, researchers did not look past the lack of a father or mother to other factors common in single-parent households when deciding that life in one of them automatically doomed children to second-rate academic and social performance. But with over three-fifths of all US children born in the last twenty-five years now spending at least five years in a single parent household, understanding single parenting positive and negative effects on academics is crucial.

Research into the single parenting positive and negative effects on academics is ongoing, but studies completed in 1991 and 1997 indicated that there was a 300% higher high school drop out rate among children from single family homes than among those in ”nuclear” families. This was in spite of the fact that the academic abilities of the dropouts in either group were equal.

One explanation for this statistic is that single parents, often their family’s sole sources of income, cannot always spend time overseeing their children’s study habits, or being present at extracurricular activities. But an even bigger factor, and probably the single most important one, in single parenting positive and negative effects on academics is the typically lower income level of single parent homes.

Among households of similar size and equal income, regardless of the number of parents present, there is little statistical difference in the children’s academic performance. While this finding sheds real doubt on the assumption that a two parent household is “better” for a child, it is really not surprising.

In a single parent household with an adequate income, the parent will have more free time to devote to the children’s studies and school activities. Children who have that sort of support, even if from “only” one parent, are much better equipped to deal with the intellectual and social demands of school than children in either single or two parent households who do not have it.

It’s also been shown that children in single parent homes who receive regular child support from the absent parent will perform better academically than those who do not. This factor has nothing to do with the single parenting abilities of the parent with whom the child lives, but is another indication that the biggest factor in single parenting positive and negative effects on academics is not a matter of parenting style, but of income.

And in certain circumstances, a single parenting positive effect on academics may actually stem from having a mother who must work full time to support the family. The mother’s income, of course, is an obvious benefit, but a 1986 study headed by Ann Milne indicated that African American elementary school children in low-income single parent homes with working mothers outperformed those in low-income two-parent homes with stay-at-home mothers. When low incomes are involved, it appears that children with mothers who struggle to support them are inspired to overcome their disadvantages.

If the continuing research into single parenting positive and negative effects on academics bears these earlier findings out, we may learn that the secret to raising a successful, well-adjusted student is nothing more than money.

There are a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes when it comes to single parent households, but when single parenting statistics are closely examined, these false ideas are quickly put to rest. United States census data from 2000 shows that at the time there were 13.5 million parents with sole custody. In fact, most of these households even have more than 1 minor child to take care of. Additionally, 84 percent of these households have mothers as custodial parents leaving only 16 percent headed by the father.

Single parent statistics state that of all the households headed by the mother, 44 percent are divorced or separated, 33 percent were never married, 22 percent are women who have remarried, and only 1 percent are widows.

It is a common misconception that single moms can support themselves and their children with child support received from the father, but single parenting statistics make it clear that this is not the case. In fact, the stats show that the average amount a single mother would receive from child support is about $4,900 a year. That’s not enough to pay for one person besides support a family. It is common for the mom to work at least part time, and the average income earned in a year is about $28,000. So even with help from the father, it can be difficult to make ends meet.

When it comes to a custodial mother’s work status, single parent statistics state the following: 79 percent are employed, 50 percent work full time all year long, and 29 percent work part time or for part of the year. It is also not as common as you may think for single moms to need welfare or some other financial assistance program to support themselves for their children. Only 31 percent of these moms receive some form of public assistance and only 6 percent are enrolled in welfare, also known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Another common myth which single parenting statistics puts to rest is that most single mothers are teenagers or young adults. Actually, 37.7 percent of all custodial mothers are 40 years old and up. Also, while it is true that many of them live below the poverty level, just barely getting by, the stats show that only 27.7 percent of these moms live in what is considered abject poverty. However, this is still larger than custodial fathers, only 11.1 percent of which live in poverty.

The few examples of single parenting statistics that we have looked at in this article have painted a picture of the average single parent which is much different than is commonly accepted. Most single parents are responsible individuals who work hard in order to support themselves and their children with the limited resources they have available.

In the past, single parents were looked upon with pity and shame. Before divorce was so common, it was viewed as highly unfortunate, and single parenting was regarded as sad. Though divorce is never a happy occasion, the circumstances surrounding single parenting today are much more varied and much less grim. Many single mothers and fathers are raising children alone by choice and happy to be doing it.

Single Parenting in the Black Community

The African American community is one that has been dealing with single-parent households for many generations. In the past, single mothers raising black children have had to do so for numerous reasons, even outside of divorce. The statistics involving black males and early death (by violent crime or otherwise) was one factor. Incarceration rates among black males of child-rearing age were also responsible for the fact that most black single parents were women in the past.

The landscape of single parenting in the African-American community, as in other races has changed considerably over the last couple of decades. Single fathers are increasingly taking on the responsibility for raising children. Also, single mothers and single fathers are sharing responsibility of all aspects of child rearing.

Also, the circumstances surrounding single parenting have changed considerably, broadening the range of reasons it happens in the first place. More and more people are having children out of wedlock, simply for the objective of having children. Though these choices are still considered to be unconventional, they are more widely accepted today than they ever were before.

Issues and Concerns

For mothers raising black children alone, there are several factors that must be taken into consideration. One of the factors is finances. If a single mother is also the single financial provider, she is often working full time, and may even work more than one job. In this case, adequate childcare must be arranged. For school-aged children, the cost of before and after school care can be easier for single parents to afford. If the child or children are too young for school, then the single parent must be able to afford full-time child care or at least be able to rely on the help of a grandparent or other relative that can help care for the children while the parent is out earning a living for the family.

Another consideration of black single parents is access to suitable male role models. Single mothers raising black children have traditionally struggled with this, as there isn’t always a black male in the family that children can look to as a role model. Fortunately, there are more and more African-American “heroes” either in leadership positions, in the media, or in the community. Big brother and big sister programs offer access to role model material that black children can relate to and spend time with. Many of the organizations that provide matching services for children and “role models” promote healthy, long-term relationships that make all the difference in the lives of children being raised by black single parents.

Parenting is one of the toughest jobs we are ever given. A small, unformed mind and body becomes ours to guide, nurture, and raise into a responsible and well adjusted adult. If you’ve lost the co-parent in your life as a daily support whether through divorce or other external circumstances, single parenting can feel like an even more daunting task.

Bering a single mother is of particular challenge given that statistically single mothers struggle a bit more financially as women. In the midst of all of the demands of raising a child and supporting the family practically and financially, it becomes of paramount importance that self care be high on the list. Think of it as positioning your own oxygen mask on an airplane before adjusting your children’s masks. Here are 3 tips to help single moms stay sane:

1. Take very good care of yourself physically. Doing this will help you with energy, focus, and emotional stability as you face the various pressures and stresses of single parenting. Eat healthy foods, avoid “junk” and highly processed food, take supplements as needed (a food based multivitamin and fish oil are a good start for many people), and exercise regularly to increase fitness and boost your mood.

2. Gather your support network and accept their help. You will need adult support for you emotionally, as well as practical help so that you can prevent being overwhelmed by parenting alone. When people offer to help you, don’t pretend to be superwoman and turn them down. Accept the help with gratitude and make the most of it!

3. Do a small thing for yourself each day. Make a list of activities or little indulgences you really enjoy. Pick one thing off this list to do for yourself daily. This helps send your mind a message, that you are worthy and deserving of a little spoiling. As much as you give your children and your job, etc, you need to give yourself something to look forward to.