Interdependence, Parenting, and Responsible Citizenship.
Source: Journal of Gender Studies, Mar2001, Vol. 10 Issue 1, 11p.
The journal that I chose to analyze for this assignment dealt with the steadily rising situation of single parenting and discussed in detail the many different areas of an individual's life that it effects. Although the article did in fact present information concerning the situation from different perspectives, the central issue that the author was attempting to portray was the effects of single parenting by illustrating single motherhood and the consequences that their children face. By providing an introduction to the matter, the author then produces three arguments which provide evidence to either support or contrast with single parenting as a model of responsible citizenship: establishment of values, interdependence, and shared parenting. .
It has recently become common knowledge that divorce is quite common and as a result, single parenting is rising. The article introduces the fact that not many people take into account the multitude of effects that such a decision has on everybody who is in involved, mainly the children. Evidence supports the claim that divorce causes severe emotional distress on the children that are involved. However, the author does admit that the data lies on both sides of the fence. As stated in the Coltrane text, although the experience of divorce is difficult on the children, the majority do not suffer long term psychological difficulties. In fact, the two factors that are generally associated with problems resulting from divorce for children are the subsequent conflicts and poverty. The act itself is not the focus. The issues that occur within the two households after so much emotional stress has led to such a decision can create conflicts between the parents. Typically although the problem has nothing to do with the child, often times they are unfortunately taken along for the ride.
