There are so many scenarios that would conclude the preference of becoming a one parent family. Domestic violence would certainly be at the top of the list for breaking up the nuclear system. Luckily, I was able to see where my relationship was headed before I even had my daughters. .
Since he is not a US citizen, I am unable to get child support and he has refused to have any contact with me or our daughters. Today, even with my financial hardships that are almost never ending, I would rather be "broke" than have to deal with him in a co-parenting situation. Instead of climbing into a pit of victimhood and pity, I chose to pursue a higher education and begin building my dream career. Of course, my situation is different than many others. For some single parents they are held under law to allow custody which can continue conflict between both parties. Some single parents would love nothing more than to have the other parent involved but for whatever circumstances, they are unable to. Because of the many problems that parents face in these situations, functioning effectively as a parent becomes quite a challenge. In an interesting journal article based on several studies done with one parent families, Paul Amato (2005) states that "Many of these deficits in parenting [less emotionally supportive, have fewer rules, inconsistent disciplining, less supervision and more conflict with children] presumably result from struggling to make ends meet with limited financial resources and trying to raise children without the help of the other biological parent" (Amato, 2005. P.83). When one has an added lack of emotional support, showing up and caring for the well-being of the child can be difficult, but by no means impossible. .
I have a unique well of experience having been raised by the mother I was born to. She struggled as she put herself through school, worked a full-time job and cared for us.
