Single Parent Families: Diversity, Myths and Realities

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.

Table of 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

About the Author :
Marvin B Sussman, Shirley Hanson