Full Description
Here is a comprehensive source of vital information on single parent families in contemporary society. This book analyzes literature and empirical research concerning single parent families and explores issues and challenges they face. Contributing authors from many fields and perspectives examine a broad range of subjects relating to families in which one person is primarily responsible for parenting. The only state-of-the-art compendium on the topic of single parent families available today, the book synthesizes empirical, theoretical, and contemporary literature about the diversity, myths, and realities of single parent families in western countries.Each chapter contains a demographic overview, definitions, a literature review, and implications for practice, research, education, and social policy. Theoretical and conceptual perspectives related to parenting and wider families are included. An analysis, synthesis, and commentary on single parent families concludes the volume. Themes highlighted throughout the book include socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of single parent families, cultural and ethnic features, and legal and ethical components. Some chapter topics include:
single parenthood following divorce
single parenthood following death of a spouse
never married teen mothers and fathers
female-headed homeless families
adoptions by single parents
noncustodial mothers and fathers
grandparents as primary parents
single parents of children with disabilitiesSingle Parent Families contains additional resources useful for family professionals: an annotated bibliography, a video/filmography, and a national community resource list. The book is intended for a multidisciplinary audience, including sociologists, psychologists, health care professionals, social workers, therapists, and other researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and educators. An ideal primary or reference text for undergraduate and graduate level programs, the book can also serve as a tool for staff development and continuing education in service agencies.
Contents
Contents
Single Parent Families: Present and Future Perspectives
Single Parents and Wider Families in the New Context of Legitimacy
A Conceptualization of Parenting: Examining the Single Parent Family
The Changing Demographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics of Single-Parent Families
The Economics of Single Parenthood: Past Research and Future Directions
Poverty and the Single Mother Family: A Macroeconomic Perspective
Homeless Female-Headed Families: Relationships at Risk
Single Parenthood and the Law
Single Mothers With Custody Following Divorce
Single Fathers With Custody Following Separation and Divorce
Noncustodial Mothers Following Divorce
Noncustodial Fathers Following Divorce
Noncustodial Parents: Emergent Issues of Diversity and Process
Never Married/Biological Teen Mother Headed Household
Young Nonresident Biological Fathers
Context and Surrogate Parenting and Contemporary Grandparents
Adoptions by Single Parents
Single Parenting in Families of Children With Disabilities
Single Parent Widows: Stressors, Appraisal, Coping, Resources, Grieving Responses, and Health
Widowers as Single Fathers
Single Parent Families: A Bookshelf
Video/Filmography on Single Parenting
Resources for Single Parent Families
Quality of Life and Well-Being of Single Parent Families: Disparate Voices or a Long Overdue Chorus?
From Stereotype to Archetype: Single Parent Families
Index
Glossary of Terms
Reference Notes Included
