In this day and age, nothing is built to last. Everything has a limit stamped on it, and sadly, relationships are no exception. There always comes a time for every couple when serious reflection is required for the sake of a better future, and sometimes these reflections lead to separations. Unfortunate events occur as part of life, and divorces are one of them, and more often than not, children are a part of these relationships which makes the separation all the more unpleasant. A single parenting is fast becoming a norm not only in Western society, but in the East as well. The court of law deems it necessary for both parties involved to provide equal care for the children, and, if that is not a viable option, one of the parents is assigned the primary caregiver while the other must provide for monetary security. Parenthood itself is not an easy task for most newly married couples, so when one has to take care of children on their own, it becomes a daunting challenge.

Mostly, single parents not only have to work multiple jobs, they have to provide the same amount of care that 2 parents strive to provide in an ideal situation. Children have a hard time accepting the idea of divorce in the first place, and their fear of abandonment is only increased with time, if the secondary caregiver remains absent from their lives. A major concern for single parents is the emotional turmoil that children may go through, subject to their parents’ separation, and often, children are distrustful and uncooperative if they are older. Mostly adolescents distance themselves from their parent and strive to become more independent, as they may feel that their lives structures have been disrupted and they don’t fit in with a certain demographic at schools.

Studies show that single parenting is a phenomenon that started cropping up ever since the 60′s, and it has only increased in numbers since. It is now considered a norm, and often people are provided with Single Parent benefits that allow them to provide a more comfortable life for their children. The hardships of single parenting are often represented in the media, with examples present in shows such as Desperate Housewives, Full House, and Castle etc. This is a great step towards understanding single-parenting, for struggling parents as well as children. There are also a lot of different ways to receive help for parents who don’t feel up to the challenge, there are online communities where one can get in touch with people in a similar situation, get advice for certain problems, as well as find out the kind of help the government has provided. There are grants available from the federal government in the U.S, as well as loans for single parents who want to pursue education. There are jobs provided specifically for single parents, and a lot of assistance if one knows where to turn.

No matter what situation single parents face, all over the world, the one common feature defining single parenting is a commitment to their children, families may come in different shapes and sizes but ultimately, a parent committed to giving care, love and security to their child cannot go wrong.