67% of African American and black children live in single-parent households, according to the Census Bureau. Further, about 4.15 million black families in the United States had single mothers, a rise from 1990, when the number stood at 3.4 million. This state of affairs has been necessitated by several factors and its impact on children is known. In this article, we’ll explore why black families are disproportionately single-parented and the challenges faced by these families.
The Causes of a Single Parenthood
A single parent is someone raising their children alone without a partner. There are many causes for single-parent families; we explain them all below.
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Slavery
The impact of slavery on Black families in the United States lingers on. During slavery, slave owners deliberately separated families through sale and chose partners for them at will. Additionally, most of them had informal marriages because they weren’t formally recognized. Although slavery was banned in 1865 after the 13th Amendment passed, the damage was irreparable. Most black families separated found it challenging to reunite. The impact of such segregation lasts to date.
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Divorce and Separation
According to this study by Bowling Green State University (BGSU), black women are the only group that had a higher divorce rate than marriage rate. 31 divorces happened per 1000 marriages between couples aged 15 and older. Different issues cause these outcomes, for example, the breakdown in marriage, lack of commitment, infertility and infidelity.
Death of a Partner
Some people were thrust into singlehood by the death of their partner. It is a harsh situation to be in as one grapples with grief and the responsibilities of raising kids or keeping the family going. Death reflects the fragility of the family structure and the possibility of adapting to changing life circumstances.
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Unsupportive Partner
Unfortunately, some people are abandoned by their partners and are forced to raise their families alone. This is where the concept of a deadbeat father or mother came from. These are partners who don’t take parental responsibilities and run away.
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Impact of Single Parenthood on Black Families
There are a lot of negative effects that single-parent homes have on black kids. They include:
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Financial Issues
Two heads are better than one, and this is true in parenting. However, people raising their kids alone have a difficult time economically because they lack the support of a partner. Consequently, you might have to deny your child and yourself some needs.
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Psychological Effects
Studies show that children from single-parent homes have poorer outcomes financially, emotionally and socially. They are more likely to do poorly in school, become teen parents, suffer parental abuse and become poorer. All this is necessitated by the lack of resources in their home.
Additionally, the instability of not having a solid family structure, by the parent having temporary “partners” affects children’s emotional regulation and triggers abandonment fears. In terms of schooling, single parents don’t have time to help their kids in school because of working longer hours. This leads to poorer grades and even drop-out.
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Loneliness
Most single parents don’t have someone to share their difficulties with. Hence, some take it out on their children, burdening them with their emotional well-being and forcing them, child to cope with mature issues. This triggers guilt in your child, who feels like a burden. They might even blame themselves for existing.
In Conclusion
What percentage of black families are single parents? We have established that the black community produces the highest rates. We have also explained why they are in this situation and its negative impact on them. Do you come from a single-parent home? What’s your experience?
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