According to the most recent statistics, there were approximately 14.6 million single parents in the United States in 2019. This represented about 23 percent of all households with children under the age of 18. 

By 2023, this number is estimated to rise to 15.6 million single parents, representing 24 percent of all households with children under 18. Of those 15.6 million single parents in 2023, an estimated 11 million will be single mothers and 4.6 million will be single fathers. 

Single mothers are more likely to be living in poverty than single fathers, with an estimated 40.3 percent living below the poverty line in 2023, compared to 12.9 percent of single fathers.

So…Is Single Rearing Beneficial? 

If the stats show an increase in the single rearing of children, aren’t we supposed to understand the consequences and benefits of single parenting?

Well, what else we’re here for?

Let’s understand the depths of single parenthood, the meaning of single parenting, the causes of single rearing of a child, the benefits of single parenting, and the struggles of single parenting.

What is Single Parenthood?

Single parenting is the parenting of children by one parent, either a mother or a father, without the help of the other parent. 

This style of parenting often requires that the parent take on additional roles and responsibilities to make up for the absence of the other parent. 

Single Rearing is often difficult and can be emotionally and financially challenging.

The Many Causes of Single Parenting

Here are nine of the causes for the single rearing of a child.

1. Death of a parent: When one parent dies, the remaining parent is left to care for the children alone. The death of a partner can leave one parent to care for the children. This can be especially difficult if the death was sudden and unexpected. 

2. Divorce or separation: One of the most common causes of single parenting is divorce or separation. When a couple decides to split up, the remaining parent must take on the responsibility of raising the children alone. 

3. Unplanned pregnancy: Unplanned pregnancies can lead to single parenting when the mother or father decides to raise the child alone, or if the other parent is not present or not involved in the child’s life. 

4. Parental incarceration: If a parent is incarcerated, it can leave the other parent to raise the children alone. 

5. Mental or physical health issues: Mental and physical health issues can create a situation in which a parent is unable to care for their children and the other parent must take on the responsibility of raising the children alone. 

6. Military deployment: When one parent is deployed in the military, the other parent may take on the responsibility of raising the children alone. 

7. Financial circumstances: In some cases, single parents may be forced to raise their children alone due to financial circumstances. This could be due to the parent losing their job or facing unexpected financial hardship. 

8. Abandonment: When one parent abandons their children, the other parent is often left to raise the children on their own.

9. Abuse: If a parent is in an abusive relationship, it can be dangerous for children to stay in the home. In this case, the other parent may take on the responsibility of raising the children.

Benefits of Single Rearing of a Child

Though couple parenting has a lot of benefits, it certainly does not mean that single parenting does not have any.

Here are some proven benefits of single rearing of a child-

1. Increased Bonding: Single parents have the opportunity to create a close bond with their children. With only one parent in the household, the parent has more time to spend with their child, allowing them to create a strong and loving bond. 

2. Greater Responsibility: Single parenting often forces children to take on more responsibility and independence at a younger age. This can help them develop the skills and qualities needed to become successful adults. 

3. Adaptability: Single parents often have to work harder and longer hours to provide for their families, which helps children learn how to be flexible and adapt to different situations. 

4. Self-Reliance: Single parenting encourages children to become more self-reliant and independent. As they grow older, they learn the importance of making decisions, taking responsibility, and relying on themselves. 

5. Strengthened Relationships: Single parenting can help strengthen relationships between parents and their children. With only one parent in the home, children are often more likely to open up to their parents, allowing for deeper conversations and understanding. (INSERT LINK HERE_Building Strong Communication with Your Child)

6. Pride: Despite the challenges, single parenting can be a rewarding experience. Seeing a child’s growth and development can bring a huge sense of pride and accomplishment to the parent.

7. Improved Time Management: Single parenting requires parents to be extra organized and efficient when it comes to managing their time and scheduling activities. 

8. Stronger Problem-Solving Skills: Single parents often have to take on more responsibilities and solve more problems on their own, helping to build strong problem-solving skills in their children. 

9. Better Appreciation for Life: Single parents and their children often learn to appreciate the small things in life and make the most out of every moment. 

10. Strengthened Character: Single parents and their children often face more challenges and hardships, which can help build character and resilience.

The Challenges of Raising a Child Alone

Single parenting is often a challenging role that may leave parents feeling overwhelmed and struggling to balance the many demands of raising a family. 

Here are a few common challenges of single-handedly raising a child-

1. The struggles of single parenting can include financial difficulties, challenges with finding quality childcare, feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility of parenting on their own, and feeling lonely and isolated. 

2. Single parents may also experience feelings of guilt, stress, and a lack of self-care. Financial difficulties are a common struggle for single parents. 

3. Oftentimes, single parents are juggling multiple jobs and have limited resources. This can make it difficult to provide for their children and meet basic needs such as food, housing, and clothing. 

4. Finding quality childcare can be a challenge for single parents. Not only do they have to find a provider that is reliable, but they must also ensure that the childcare provider is trustworthy and able to provide the care that their children need. 

5. Single parents often feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of parenting on their own. They may feel like they are not doing enough for their children or that they are not able to provide the same level of care and attention as a two-parent family. 

6. Single parents may also feel lonely and isolated, especially if they do not have family or friends nearby. This can lead to feelings of depression and a lack of support. It is important for single parents to take time for themselves and to practice self-care. This can help them to manage their stress, stay connected to their community, and provide a model of balance for their children. It is also important for single parents to reach out to family and friends for support, as well as seek professional help if needed.

Are Single Parents Physically and Mentally Healthier?

• The answer to this question depends on the individual situation. 

In some cases, single parents may experience increased stress, anxiety, and depression (INSERT LINK HERE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION CONTENT FROM HEALTH)due to their unique parenting situation. 

On the other hand, single parents may also benefit from the rewards of parenting on their own, such as a sense of autonomy, pride, and self-reliance. 

Ultimately, the physical and mental health of any single parent will depend on the resources they have access to, their support system, and the resilience and coping strategies they use to manage their stress.

Conclusion

Every family is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. 

Single parenting and couple rearing both have their own set of challenges and rewards. 

Both approaches can work well if the parents are committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment for their children. 

Ultimately, it is up to the individual family to decide which parenting style works best for them.