Question

single parenting negatively affects children's physical and mental development and should be discourage. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer 1

Single parenting can be a struggle for parents and children. Based on the Magazine published by the Bible and tract society entitled: ”Single Parents, Multiple Challenges” states: “I deal with a lot of emotions. I spend nights in the bathroom crying. It’s kind of hard.”​—JANET, A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE.“ One parent taking care of one or multiple children can be a stress and a burden because all the emotional stress is placed onto them because the father/mother of their children is far away or dead and unable to tend to the emotional needs of who used to be their spouse. The reasons there are single parents are the following: “war, natural disaster, or disease.”

Also, referring widows: “Mothers who have recently become widows have a special burden to carry. They must assume responsibility for their household while still grieving for their lost mate. Their adjustment to this role may take months, even years, as they cope with economic challenges and the responsibility of consoling their children. The widowed mother may find it extremely difficult to assume these added responsibilities. This may leave a child without adequate parenting at a time when he or she desperately needs attention and reassurance.”

Now, referring to divorced parents: “parents going through divorce are under enormous stress. Some parents may feel great anger as a result of the divorce. Feelings of low self-worth and a deep feeling of rejection may also rob some parents of their ability to extend themselves emotionally to their children. Mothers who need to enter the job market for the first time may have difficulty coping with the responsibility of managing a household. They may feel that they have neither the time nor the energy for the special needs of the children, who themselves have to cope with dramatic changes after the divorce of their parents.”

In my personal opinion, single parenting should be discouraged. It’s best to have your spouse with you. However, if the spouse died it’s better to be single. If you are divorced it’s best to remarry, the child understands that the relationship between the parents did not work.