Single Parent Homes example essay topic

What is your definition of the word Family? Webster defines the word as a group of people living together as a unit; ones ancestry or character. The average person might define it as a household containing blood related siblings, and some might simply define family as a group consisting of a mother, father, and child. In today's society a family can consist of a group of people not related by blood. Over the years the reality of the definition, as well as the actual family, has changed.

After extensive research and review, I have come to the conclusion that the American family, as we know it, is indeed in crises. We have single parenthood, mothers that put their work in front of their family, and also a lack of morals within the home. Single parenthood has risen dramatically over the past ten years. Many spouses are single parents due to divorce, and this has terrible effects on the children.

Children that are in single parent homes are often left without the attention that is needed as a child. This is not purposely done by the parent, but happens frequently due to the fact that the parent has to work to support the child. Being that the spouse is living off one income he, or she, has no choice but to work even harder. This can effect the child in several ways. Some children try to get attention in other ways like getting into trouble in school. An older child, or teenager, may look for love and attention in a boyfriend, girlfriend, or a friend because many of their emotional needs remain unmet.

Another effect of single parenthood is the child is oftentimes unsupervised and left at home alone. The parent is working all of the time. The parent has no way of knowing exactly what their child is doing while they " re away. In earlier times divorce was not a factor. Even if the couple couldn't stand each other they stayed together.

In addition to single parenthood, the labor force is flooded with working mothers, and some of these mothers put their careers before their families. For instance, in the text Public and Private Families a Reader there's an interview that tells about the career of Katherine Mullins, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She starts off by telling about her career. Then she goes on to say that she doesn't regret anything work related that she has done. She doesn't mind being away from her children. She thinks its O.K., and she basically goes on to say that she has to do what she has to do.

In earlier times, mothers were house wives. They were always home taking care of their children, making sure they had their homework completed, cooking, cleaning, and maintaining their homes. Now there are women like Katherine Mullins that rather work than be at home with their children. What kind of insanity is that? I understand she's trying to take care of her family, but I would never choose my job over my family. Last, but definitely not least, family morals are lost.

If society lived their lives using the morals, traditional family values, and religious beliefs that the majority grew up with, many of the problems that average families are having today would not be. There would be no divorce. There would be no teen pregnancy. Children, for the most part would have all the attention they need. All of their emotional needs would be met. They would not have to go searching for love.

It would already be there. At last, over the years the average family has changed quite a bit. Single parenthood is on a rise, more women are working, and most of the morals are lost. The American family is in crises..