The so-called “conventional families” have been overtaken by “single-parent families” for the past twenty years.
It is a reality that during the last 20 years, on the American continent, mainly in Central and South America, it is becoming increasingly common for families of single parents, headed by mothers, headed by fathers or headed by grandparents raising grandchildren.
Although life in a family of single parents is something ordinary nowadays, this situation can mean a high level of stress for the adult and children since they expect their family to function as one in which both figures are present, it is said, mother and father.
Likewise, the mother or father, or the grandparents, may feel distressed by the responsibility of doing titanic tasks to take care of the children, keep their work and accounts up to date and do the housework. Furthermore, the family’s finances and resources are often drastically reduced after the separation from the parents.
Single-parent families face many other pressures and potential problem areas that conventional families do not. For example, visitation and custody problems; the ongoing conflicts between mom and dad; less opportunity for parents and children to share time together for dispersal and recreation; the effects of separation on the academic environment of children and their relationship with their schoolmates.
Finally, it is also an important factor that leads to constant problems when distant relatives do not have contact with children, as is the case with maternal or paternal grandparents. New parental relationships or appointments can also trigger a number of obstacles in the overall development of minors.
The mother or father can help family members confront these difficulties by talking to each other about their feelings and working together to try to solve the problems. The support of friends, fellow believers, and other family members can also help. However, if family members are still very overwhelmed and struggling, it may be time to consult an expert.