By, Monica Gill

Race and Ethnicity

Salt Lake Community College

SINGLE PARENTS IN AMERICA

1. Introduction

2. Single Parenting in America

3. Single Parent Households from 1980-2009 (Chart)

4. Myths About Single Parenting

5. Similarities/Differences(Chart)

6. Thoughts from Single Parents

7. Conclusion

8. Bibliography/Works Cited

9. Reflection

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Single parents are more common than ever in the 21st century. In the past becoming a single parent was frowned upon. Children that are housed by single parents are effected in different ways, but there are some single parents that do a wonderful job.

Over the past 20 years single parenting has become more common. There are all sorts of single parent families that include mothers, fathers, and grand parents raising their grand children. There is added pressure when visitation,

custody and constant conflict are present. The child seems to suffer the most. The parents will see a change in

behavior, school work, and peer pressure.

SINGLE PARENTS IN AMERICA

1980 1990 2000 2005 2006 2007 20080.0%5.0%

10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%

Births to Unmarried Women

Births to Unmarried Women

Single Parenting “The helpful Handy Guide You Need To Be A Strong Confident Single Parent” By Daniel Brush discusses ways to be a good

parent, and how to make parenting work for you. One of the suggestions is to not feel bad or guilty about being a single parent. Single parents

have to be positive, and try to be good role models. Single parents should teach their children that not all families are the same. Single parents

should always make time for themselves.

Making The Decision To Do It Alone by Shondreka Palmer talks about raising a boy to be a man. It is important not to be afraid especially when

you have made the decision to do it alone and getting out of a bad relationship. Be positive, think positive, and you will have positive results. For Shondreka raising a boy to be a man is important and doing it alone is

achievable.

I agree with both authors. I think it is important to be positive and teach children your way. It is great to get idea’s and ask questions but being a

parent is natural and different for each person.

THOUGHTS FROM SINGLE PARENTS

0.0%

30.0%

60.0%

SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES IN ETHNICITY (CHART)

I have learned a lot during this research process. There are a lot of single parents, and not all of them are bad parents.

Parenting is based on one’s own knowledge and belief system. There are many resources to aid in becoming a

good parent. I learned that most single parents take pride in parenting and most think that it is a serious commitment

and responsibility. I was a single parent for fifteen years until I remarried. I wanted to find out how children as a

result of being raised in a single family and what I learned is that it is different for each individual family. Statistics are just a number, and does not reflect on all situations. I

have come to the conclusion that I did the best I could with my children and I am very proud of the outcome.

CONCLUSION

"Census Bureau Homepage." Census Bureau Homepage. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014.

"Articles on the Cause of the Rise in Single Parenting Households." Articles On The Cause Of The Rise In Single Parenting. Ed. Single

Parenting. N.p., 23 Mar. 2011. Web. 03 May 2014.

Brush, Daniel. Single Parenting. N.p.: n.p., 2014. Electronic.

Miller, Wendy. "Myths About Single Parents." 05 Oct. 2011: n. pag. Web. 01 May 2014.

Palmer, Shondreka. Making the Decision to Do It Alone. N.p.: n.p., 2014. Print. "ethnic triablism" argument regarding bilingual

education

WORK CITED PAGE