Parenting Alone
Single Parenting
Parents need the same skills whether they parent alone, or as a couple. But parenting alone does have some added challenges. I believe our primary need as humans is emotional closeness with a few irreplaceable others – to belong. Whether it’s driven by the need to pass on our genes, to experience intimacy, or to feel safe, we have an inner drive to be connected to others. When we feel disconnected, or socially isolated, it becomes harmful. There is an abundance of research showing the harmful effects of loneliness on not just emotional health, but physical health as well (see research findings at end of document).
So does that mean single parents are at greater risk of experiencing less than optimal wellbeing? Research findings would suggest yes. But lets ‘unpack’ the research to hear what it is really saying.
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