Dangers Of Single Parenthood

The greatest gift the universes has given to us, is all tied down in one word ‘’family’’.

Whenever you think of this word, there are butterflies in your stomach, as you can only visualize a bunch of pretty happy faces tangled in an inseparable bond.

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Meanwhile, it is now a norm that not everybody is blessed to enjoy a healthy family bonding, as most of their joy is being shattered after a divorce, the death of a partner or an unwanted pregnancy which then results to single parenting.

The effects of a single-parent home on a child’s behaviour can be far-reaching and impacts several areas of life, including academic achievement and social behaviours.

Our correspondent asked some individuals their take on the matter and some of them had different opinions.

But from the few replies gotten from several conversations, single parenting appears to be dangerous to the growth of a child.

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A source who preferred to be simply addressed as Miss Annabel said, “the child may not actually have regards for family bonding, as they may not be able to take care of their family or even love their spouse and care for them like God intended.”

“The child could grow up to be a nonentity, though it may not be in every situation, however, statistics show that a large number of children with single parents lack basic fundamental training, hence vulnerable to external forces in the environment’’, said another respondent who preferred anonymity.

Speaking from a personal experience, Miss Oyin a single mother said, “basically I had the support of my parents. Having my son while at the university was not easy, sincerely being a single mum has its ups and downs.

“This is because I was left to bear everything financially about him with just the support of my family and none from his father or his family.

“However there is a speculation that kids raised by single parents do not end up well in the society, but this is something I believe is a myth, because bringing up a child irrespective of having parents or just one depends on the personality involved in the aspect of being disciplined and caring at the same time to such kids.”

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Our correspondent further asked Miss Oyin how she deals with the “where is my daddy’’ question, her response was rather amazing.

“Being a single mum has made me more close to my son as its only me he knows even though he often asks of his father, but as a mother, I find a way around it by telling him the father will come around soon because he recognises the father though his young.

‘’As months and years passed I had to be real with him so I told him that his so-called father is no longer coming but as a child he is, he still keeps up with the question. Nevertheless, I know he might not have anyone to fill up that father gap for now but I believe by the time I get married he will,” she said with her voice filled with emotions.

Another respondent, Mr Jerry, raised by a single mother said it has great effects on the child as most of the children suffer from emotional imbalance.

As a victim, he said ‘’I am self-made, though it was not easy and got worse when she gave up the ghost in my first year in the university, then I was left to carter for my younger ones but thanks to God who always makes a way’’.

Many adults who have been groomed by single parents have been exposed at an early age to the negative environment of divorce, thus carrying a commitment phobia with them. In some cases, they refuse to believe in the foundation of marriage.

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