Family-based Factors that Influence The Behavior of Children

Child poverty is a growing national concern, but few are actually aware of the principal cause: the absence of married fathers in the child’s home environment. It is widely recognized that children raised by two parents tend to be more successful in life, including in school, the future job market, and even their own future marriages, compared to children raised by a single mom or dad. According to U.S. Census data, “the poverty rate for single parents with children in the United States in 2009 was 37.1%, whereas the rate for married couples with children was 6.8%” (U.S. Census Bureau, 2009). From this, it can be concluded that marriage and two-parent households wield significant influence over a child's life, and their absence may create unstable and chaotic family environments.

Family Influences on Children's Behavior

As highlighted by Kimberly Howard and Richard V. Reeves in The Washington Post, one reason for this issue is that households with married parents typically have higher family incomes (Howard & Reeves, 2014). This is significant because it applies even to households without children; it's simply easier to provide and maintain a household with two incomes rather than one. In Leaving Atlanta, Octavia frequently complains about her ill-fitting clothes. Her mother ensures they never fit properly, whether it's pants that are too short, baggy dresses handed down from her cousin, or shoes with moth holes. A flashback reveals that a year ago, her father, now remarried and living comfortably, brought her school supplies and an itchy sweater during a visit. Octavia’s father is a professor in a nicer area of South Carolina, while her mother works the night shift to make ends meet for them in a less affluent neighborhood. This highlights how financial stability in a marriage can significantly impact the environment and resources available to a child.

Two-parent households generally have more time to engage in activities such as homework help, bedtime reading, or simply spending quality time together. Aaron Hass states, “Your time is precious to both you and your child. Your willingness to give your time sends a message: You are important” (Hass, 2002). A parent who gives their time implicitly communicates love and respect to their children. In Leaving Atlanta, Octavia rarely interacts with her mother due to her work schedule. Their only interactions occur briefly after school, or occasionally when Octavia is running late. On one occasion, when Octavia returns home late, her mother slaps her without listening to her explanation. According to Hass, “If you, the person your child respects most, believe they are worthy of your undivided attention, your child will bask in the sense of their own importance” (Hass, 2002). A closer relationship with children fosters self-respect and self-acceptance, areas where Octavia struggles significantly.

Perspectives on Single-Parent Households

Some may argue that single-parent households do not harm or may even benefit children compared to married households. An excerpt from The New York Times Sunday Review by Katie Roiphe states, “A Pew Research Center poll on family structures reports that nearly 7 in 10 Americans think single mothers are a ‘bad thing for society’” (Roiphe, 2012). This statistic comes from a country where 53% of babies born to women under thirty are to unmarried mothers. Roiphe argues that the real issue is the societal expectation of what a ‘correct’ family should look like. The belief that single mothers are irresponsible and detrimental to society is often based on vague studies. Roiphe critiques these studies for oversimplifying the complexities of actual lived experiences. She argues that no family structure guarantees happiness or ensures misery; even financially stable, happily married parents can raise troubled children, just as single parents can raise successful ones. Roiphe concludes, “The real menace to America’s children is not single mothers, or unmarried or gay parents, but an economy that stokes an unconscionable divide between the rich and the not rich” (Roiphe, 2012).

Conclusion

In conclusion, marriage and two-parent households wield significant influence over a child's life, and their absence may lead to unstable and chaotic families. Children in married, two-parent households generally benefit from more opportunities and advantages in life. It is crucial to understand the broader societal factors contributing to child poverty and not simply attribute it to family structure alone.

References

• Hass, A. (2002). Your Time is Precious: Parenting and Time Management. Psychology Today.
• Howard, K., & Reeves, R. V. (2014). Why Marriage Matters for Child Wellbeing. The Washington Post.
• Roiphe, K. (2012). In Defense of Single Motherhood. The New York Times Sunday Review.
• U.S. Census Bureau. (2009). Poverty Rates by Family Structure.