On average individuals coming out of single parent homes go to college less than their counterparts with both parents present (Huan, 2003). This is often associated with the poorer grades that were discussed earlier. However, it is also often tied to spending habits on education (Huan, 2003). Once again, this population is subject to lower income averages, which makes spending so much money on college a difficult endeavor. Moreover, there is another impact which tends to have a negative impact on numbers of children from single parent families going to college (Worth, 1992). According to the research, lower involvement of parents in creating dreams of children going to college (Stage & Hossler, 1989).
The various obstacles many children from single parent families face are seen on a global context. Although this study is testing data only prevalent within the context of the United States, the literature on the topic shows a clear pattern across multiple countries around the globe. Thus, such issues are present both here in the United States and abroad (Pong et al., 2003). In fact, this trend is common in many major Westernized nations. Nations including the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland, too, suffer from the negative aspects of a rise in single parent families (Pong et al., 2003). This then makes the issue a global problem, adding more importance to research extrapolating causes and potential remedies.
There are also different types of single parent families that have uniquely varying issues associated with them more so than other types. Most single parent families are structured with single mothers heading the household. In fact, 82.6% of children living in single parent families lived only with their mothers (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2009). Thus, when research shows evidence of data patterns associated with single parent households, it is predominately relating to households dominated by a single mother. Even within this larger demographic, there are unique sub-categories. For example, "In the United States, evidence suggests that children from single-mother families due to the death of the father show similar levels of educational and occupational attainment compared to those from two-parent families, which are significantly higher than the levels of those from divorced single mother families," (Park, 2008, p 379).
Yet, fathers too often play the role of the single parent, just not as much as their female counterparts. Only about 17.4% of children in single parent families lived with their fathers as of 2007 (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2009). This is an incredibly lower percentage when compared to the single parent households dominated by mothers. However, single parent homes lead by fathers also tend to have their own unique issues that can cause negative affects on the children involved in the situation. Pong et al. (2003) states that "Single father families, however, exhibit more behavioral and academic problems than do children in either single mother or stepfamilies," (685). There are a unique set of characteristics that revolve around father centered households featuring only one parent. Most often, these can be associated with a traumatic loss of the mother, either through death or through rejection.
Single parent homes are increasing dramatically. One might think this would bring greater attention to the problems involved. However, contemporary research actually shows the opposite. In fact, the growth of the single family demographic is though to have negative impacts on policies and programs that could otherwise help those in such situations. Thus, "the growth in single parent families could reduce the tolerance and sympathy toward single parents, and subsequently trigger policy stringency," (Pong et al., 2003, p 689). This creates a situation where it is difficult to implement programs and policies that might actually benefit children of single parent families.
Setting and Demographic
The demographical group of single parent families is immensely large. This makes the study of it difficult. It is clear that "Single parent families are not a homogenous group," (Pong et al., 685). Most prove to be mother headed households in low income socio-economic roles. However, there are other varieties. This, it is important to structure methodological approaches based on what has proven successful in past research efforts.
Pong et al. (2003) studied the academic impact single parenting has on children and made some clear assumptions based on a successful methodological approach. Pong et al. (2003) made general assumptions based on prior literature regarding the negative impacts single parent families have on children's academic performances as a generalized group. They created a situation where they explored differences in academic achievement levels between children...
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