-The February contest #1 by sduttaskitchen|Challenges for a single parent.
Please identify and discuss several challenges faced by single parents.
An amalgamation of sustainability challenges the single parents are facing is multidimensional and multi-layered that cuts across both short and long-term wellbeing. The financial pressure issue that causes only one income to provide accommodation, childcare, education and healthcare is one of the most common challenges. The other major issue is time management; working, parenting and housework normally leaves one exhausted and without time to learn and have fun.
Emotional strain can also be caused by social isolation or stress, or absence of a joint decision-making. The inflexible working hours or absence of family-friendly working policy are some of the workplace challenges that single parents may face. Besides, the problems of emotional development and performance among children may have the additional burden. However, the many unmarried parents are resilient, flexible and committed towards the family.
How does one perceive adaptation in the context of an individual? Please share your perspective on this matter.
Adaptation can also be considered as an ongoing dialogue between the self and the changing situations at the individual level. It is not just the survival, but is an act of interpretation, choice and adaptation. Feeling constrained, redefining our goals, remaking our habits, values or identities is one of the ways in which an individual is adjusting based on experience. It is a blend of malleability and persistence in that there may be a set of beliefs which remain constant and methods of articulation vary.
Adaptation is also behavioral and emotional as well as cognitive which involves resilience, learning and meaning-making. It is interesting to note that it is relative and contextual, what could be considered to be strong in one situation, can be viewed as a compromise in another. Adaptation, in turn, is an agency acting within constraints, which is showing how people are bargaining change, and not having change forced upon them in a slow and context-specific way.
Do you believe that a child requires the involvement of both parents equally to achieve optimal development? I invite you to share your perspectives on this matter.
Research shows that secure bonds and emotional availability as well as fidelity help are more likely to propose successful development as opposed to the absolute requirement of equal parental participation. Complementary and different role modeling and responsibility will be offered by two active parents that is rather helpful to children. However, families are different.
Single parenting, extended family, same sex parenting, and other care giving can equally bring good outcomes as the children develop in a setting of love, structure and safety. It is most significant that a child should have a good caregiver and the favorable surrounding which is able to satisfy the need of an emotional, social and material one. Even in some cases, equal participation may be the most appropriate practice, and not always a universal requirement to the optimum development.
Thanks for reading my post I'm inviting @goodybest, @josepha and @ninapenda to participate.