essay single parent

Single parenting and today’s family

Life in a single parent household—though common—can be quite stressful for the adult and the children.

Divorce and Child Custody

Today single parent families have become even more common than the so-called “nuclear family” consisting of a mother, father, and children. Today we see all sorts of single parent families: headed by mothers, fathers, and even by a grandparent raising their grandchildren.

Life in a single parent household—though common—can be quite stressful for the adult and the children. The single parent may feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of juggling caring for the children, maintaining a job, and keeping up with the bills and household chores. And typically, the family’s finances and resources are drastically reduced following the parents’ breakup.

Single parent families deal with many other pressures and potential problem areas that other families may not face.

Stressors faced by single parent families

Visitation and custody problems.
The effects of continuing conflict between the parents.
Less opportunity for parents and children to spend time together.
Effects of the breakup on children’s school performance and peer relations.
Disruptions of extended family relationships.
Problems caused by the parents’ dating and entering new relationships.

The single parent can help family members face these difficulties by talking with each other about their feelings and working together to tackle problems. Support from friends, other family members, and places of worship can help too. But if family members are still overwhelmed and having problems, it may be time to consult an expert or a licensed mental health professional.

How Does Society View Single Parents? Research Paper

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Introduction

Single parent, how society views single parenthood, works cited.

Single families face various challenges as they try to bring up their children like other families. They also face stigmatization in some societies where they are rejected and disapproved. In addition, some religious sectors like Islam and Christianity do not show open support for single parenthood, especially if its causes are contrary to their beliefs.

Single parents therefore face problems from all corners, ranging from schools, government positions, and society at large. Caring for their children is also a challenge as they have to ensure that children grow just as the others who have both parents.

One of the most difficult problems facing single parents is how to integrate into the society with their families. Most societies only recognize married couples as able to raise children in an effective way. Furthermore, children find themselves isolated when in learning institutions as others embrace both parent while they glare in awe (DePaullo 1).

Causes of single parenthood vary and usually lead to different societal views. For instance, single parenthood arising from death of one partner is usually considered correct. However, it does not shoulder the responsibilities that come with it. On the other hand, single parenthood arising from separation and divorce face integration problems in the society, apart from the increased responsibilities.

This disparity in how the society and community at large treat single parents has raised concern all over the world. Their isolation in some States has led to poor development of their children as they are left to offer parental duties to the children. This paper will try to argue out whether societal judgment of single parents based on its cause is justifiable. It will also endeavor to explore the problems faced by single parents in detail (DePaullo 1).

A single parent refers to one who cares for one or more children without the help of one of the biological parents of the child or children. Different nations have varying laws related to single parenthood.

These laws determine how those families are treated or served by their respective governments. Single parenthood may be caused by either of these, choice or unexpected circumstances. The latter include death of one of the parents, abandonment which may occur in tough conditions, parents who neglect their children may cause them to rely on the others for both needs, teenage pregnancies or children born outside marriage.

Single parenthood caused by choice includes scenarios such as surrogate motherhood, child adoption, divorce and separation between biological parents as well as artificial insemination, among others. These factors that cause single parenthood also influence their way of life. It is estimated that most single parent families face prospects of poverty given the increased responsibilities (DePaullo 1).

Some Governments like the United States, UK, Australia, among others, in which there is high rates of single parent families have devised ways of assisting them.

For instance, United States had about 13 million single families in 2006, among which those headed by females were about 80%. This is quite a high rate and the effects are real as they try to make homes for these families. The UK estimated that 52% of single parent families lived below their defined poverty line in 2009, with over 3 million children raised by single parents.

This survey estimated that the UK had about 1.9 million single parents, a very high rate comparing its size and population with the United States. Australia also had over 14% single parent families, a very high number to work with. This has forced government to come in with strategies to assist them given their exposure to poverty and stigma (DePaullo 1).

Society is very instrumental in helping single families integrate well with other members of a community. Of great concern is the fact that most societies categorize single families based on the causes of their status. In most cases divorcees are seen as a bad influence in societies without considering its causes, the church shuns divorce and this makes it very difficult for divorcees to integrate well in the society.

This makes them look like sinners among other congregation. Also, society considers these families as failures and do not approve of their dealings. Some sectors of religion even disapprove integration with such people as they assume that they are bad influence to the supposed ‘clean’ society. This has cause stigma to such families as their children face all sorts of scorn and unanswered questions from their parents (DePaullo 1).

Furthermore, those single families that are caused by unexpected circumstances like death still face some sort of isolation although not to an extent of those caused by choice. In most societies, isolation comes in facing and shouldering of family responsibilities for these single parents.

Schools are areas of challenges for children and parents from single parenthood. Even single parent teachers face discriminations in schools, making it much more difficult for mere students or parents. The stigma that comes with such problems are likely to leave them isolated in community projects and other societal activities.

That is why it is quite important to address such problems as single parenthood, which in most cases, rarely comes out of choice. Most people find themselves in such situations and therefore need communal support as well as government assistance to help them become important channels of development in the society (Richards 277-285).

The paper discusses whether it is right or justifiable to judge single parents based on the causes of their status. Conservatives usually consider single parenthood caused by choice as a taboo in the society. On the other hand, modern societies have continued to embrace single parenthood irrespective of the cause.

Nonetheless, Religious sectors feel that these developments cause societal degradation and pollution of a once ‘clean’ society. These sentiments are usually shared by most religious sectors which abhor such actions. Should society judge single parents based on causes of the status? The following discussion would provide a clear answer to that (Richards 277-285).

Single parents should be judged based on causes of their status

There are several reasons that would make one believe that single parents need to be judged based on causes of their status. For instance, those parents who decide to divorce knowing very well the coming repercussions that would overwhelm them and their children should be discouraged from doing so, when the community or society makes divorce a taboo, this discourages unnecessary divorce.

When these families are not discouraged the society will be polluted and derailed. Such behaviors, on purpose should be discouraged as they may lead to distortions in family values. The world is full of various events and problems, people should be ready to persevere, and this would help in uniting many families (Richards 277-285).

When children have both parents, then their development is well taken care of. Children without one of their parents often end up in mix-ups such as early marriages, teenage pregnancies, stereotype against other genders, which is very destructive to a normal society.

Drug abuse in teenager is mostly connected to child negligence or abuse. Societies will never tolerate child abuse, and negligence. Therefore in that regard, it is important that single parenthood by choice is discouraged in the society. This will help in ensuring good moral values in the community (Richards 277-285).

In that respect, parents should be discouraged from making difficult choices for their children, in divorcing. As much as life is quite difficult and full of distrusts, parents should try as much as they can to avoid such issues, this will be good for their children. It is very important to have children in marriage with both parents fulfilling their responsibilities. Most single parenthoods are as a result of parents neglecting their responsibilities.

This has to be discouraged at all costs, because those who suffer in such situations are children as well as the single parent. Therefore, society is justified in dictating pathways that its members should take, without which; they should be held responsible (Sacks 10).

Single parents should not be judged based on their status

Single parents are just like other people in the community; their status is mostly due to happenings that are beyond control, for instance, when divorce occurs, one of the divorcees usually ends up disappointed or victimized, we cannot judge victims as this would be contrary to societal beliefs. In that regard, single parenthood caused by divorce should not be condemned.

Moreover, some parents neglect their children due to family burdens; some people cannot afford to adequately provide such services to their children and without intending to do so, ends up neglecting their own children. Society should consider these children as their own, with responsibility for their protection lying on their shoulders.

Single parents also need full backing from governments and other related agencies, to boost them both financially and emotionally. In addition, it is important to note that children that suffer from such situations are never at fault, society should therefore endeavor to provide adequate support for these children, physically, and most importantly emotionally by backup their parents (Risman 1049).

Single parents therefore face problems from all corners, ranging from schools, government positions, and society at large. The argument above emphasizes the fact that single parenthood should not be done at will, through careless divorce or neglect of children.

The first argument for society’s justification in judging or isolating single parents, especially those caused out of choice argue that when this is encouraged, people will neglect their responsibilities out of simple problems that can be solved amicably (Richards 277-285).

The second argument, against society’s justification states that even though some people neglect or divorce out of small differences, there are victims of divorce who need to be protected by the society and provided with necessities to enable their children succeed in life.

It goes on to state that these children need protection and love, which only the society can provide. Neglecting them is suicidal for a community that needs to focus on the future.

Moreover, as has been stated above, neglected children tend to enter into bad groupings that would eventually cost society its gains. The society is there to safeguard its members and this cannot be achieved if children are neglected irrespective of the cause. It is therefore important to note that society is not justified in their treatment of single parents (Quinlan 376-390).

It is important to state that single parenthood is a difficult task, as the needs of children are shouldered by one individual. It is also imperative to note that most single parent occurrences are never out of both parent’s wish, but unexpectedly, or out of situations that are quite difficult to understand.

The complexity of such situations ends up in divorce leaving children to one parent, who may or may not have the capability of providing all the requirements. In this regard, as much as society may be justified in their judgment, single parents need support both from the community and government.

They are isolated and feel deprived of social pleasure. These should be accorded to them as required since they too are citizens, who works hard for the good of the nation. They should be allowed into high positions without questions as to their single parenthood; this will boost their morale and have a positive effect on their children (Pong 23-42).

DePaullo, Bella. “The Scientific Study of People who are single: An Annotated Bibliography”. Association of single People . 17.05.2011.17.05.2011. Web.

Pong, Suet-ling. “The School Compositional Effect of Single Parenthood on 10th Grade Achievement”. Sociology of Education 71:1 (1998), 23-42.

Quinlan, Robert. “Father absence, parental care, and female reproductive development”. Evolution and Human Behavior . Volume 24, Issue 6, November 2003, Pages 376-390.

Richards, Leslie and Schmiege, Cynthia. “Family Relations”. Family Diversity . Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 277–285.

Risman, Barbara, and Park, Kyung. “Just The Two of Us: Parent-Child Relationships in Single-Parent Homes”. Journal of Marriage and the Family . 1988, 50, 4, Nov, 1049.

Sacks, George. “Boys without fathers is not a logical new idea.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock: Arkansas.

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Single Parents: Positive Single Parenting

How it works

Being a single parent is incredibly challenging, especially if the family is headed by a woman. She must provide and care for her children, including cooking, feeding, clothing, and transporting them, all while maintaining a career. It is essential for her to spend time raising her children, providing them with experiences, activities, and inspiration, all while managing her own professional development. She engages in shaping the futures of her children, guiding them towards establishing their own lives. Until her children marry or secure jobs, they rely solely on her.

After this, her challenges considerably decrease. Money is a significant concern for a majority of single mothers. Their emotional wellbeing is also impacted by their single status. Many single mothers report feeling lonely, helpless, hopeless, and lacking confidence and identity. In social situations, the majority of single mothers avoid attending parties and have even altered their dress style due to depression. They often develop poor nutritional habits. The majority of these mothers find it challenging to maintain discipline among their children in the absence of a male figure. They complain of loneliness, suffering, and depression, and struggle with the responsibility of childcare and establishing a routine for their children.

My name is Jessy, and I am a 32-year-old single mother to three wonderful children. My spouse recently passed away in a fatal road accident. After getting married and having two children, I stopped working at my job of ten years to better care for my children. However, my spouse’s passing has left us feeling incredibly lonely. As a hardworking individual, I am driven to work independently to support my children. Unfortunately, finding a job has been a struggle. Countless resumes have been handed out, and I have been to numerous job interviews. Despite all the rejections and various hardships, I have not given up hope.

At last, I have started working as an administrator at Lee Chen Wah Sdn Bhd, a local company conveniently located near my house and my children’s school. Upon joining, I sought to find a balance in my work life. My working hours proved to be quite flexible, a necessity especially given the stage my child is at in his schooling. I often need to pick him up, attend my sister’s events, and be present for various other occasions. Therefore, having a flexible working schedule is a boon. Being a single parent, I have the sole responsibility for every aspect of day-to-day child care, and this has really built my confidence.

Not too long ago, I heard rumors about my company downsizing and needing some employees to resign soon. This naturally caused me a great deal of worry. I was unsure whether to believe or ignore the news, so I decided to ask my colleagues Rita, Shidi, and Janet for their perspectives. Unfortunately, they confirmed the rumors, attributing them to the considerable debts the company has amassed. I found this puzzling given that our business appears stable and customer demand seems constantly on the rise. In my confusion, I sought clarity from other colleagues, Zana, Ramli, and Jamil, who work at the management level. According to them, the news was just a gossip and the company is still in good shape.

They advised me to cross-check the news through various sources, including discussion with higher-level staff from the company itself and the analysis of company-related information available on the internet and in newspapers. After all, the term ‘human resources’ evolved in the 1960s precisely to highlight the importance of such probing and understanding. Concurring, I investigated further about the company on the internet and through the latest newspaper reports.

As discussed earlier, the news originated from gossip. I understand that gossip is a natural and inevitable occurrence in the workplace. It can be a force for good by fostering camaraderie through daily socialization. However, gossip risks becoming its malign twin: workplace rumor. According to Stanford business professor Chip Heath, it’s nearly impossible for workplaces to halt the rumor mill entirely. Instead, to address the rumor issue, organizations must join the discussion, perhaps by creating a business-centric forum on the company’s website or holding regular staff meetings to address concerns. Determining the truth behind corporate gossip can help alleviate employee anxiety about potential job losses or significant changes. Ensuring employees feel secure contributes to their overall productivity.

Gossip is a diversion at work and can go too far, turning into badgering. I shouldn’t hesitate to engage HR if there’s an issue I can’t resolve on my own. The majority of employers have an employee handbook that prohibits harassment. If the gossiper doesn’t stop after our confrontation, it can be considered as harassment. Document it and report it. Gossip and negativity in the workplace are usually symptoms of deeper problems such as jealousy, insecurity, miscommunication, and overall dissatisfaction. I can combat my colleagues’ negativity by being positive and cheerful. As the saying goes, “I must be the change I want to see in the world.”

If a situation is toxic and showing no signs of improving, then perhaps I shouldn’t be there anymore. It will impact both me and my children’s lives. I must act quickly, always keeping my resume updated and applying for jobs in other companies within my skill set. The better I become professionally, the more I can provide for my children. Furthermore, I can consider starting my own business as a source of income. Ideally, I can execute both the plans in parallel: running a business and working a job.

As a single parent, I must be able to balance my time and priorities to provide for my children while also remaining emotionally available to them. Starting my own business could be the key to achieving my personal and career aspirations. For instance, opening a daycare service in my home could be quite practical and profitable. Other than the potential financial benefit, working from home and being able to spend time with my children are fantastic benefits of a home-based daycare business. As a result, I could even save on daycare expenses for my three children.

Being passionate about teaching, starting a tutoring business would be a wonderful opportunity for me. I can easily start this from home and maintain flexible working hours. It requires being skilled in the subject that I would like to tutor and reaching out to local students. Even after a full day of work, I could continue tutoring. Alternatively, I could become a florist. Flowers are in demand throughout the year, and if I have a love for flowers and know how to arrange and display them beautifully, then starting a florist business could be very profitable for me. Catering to special occasions or events could also provide massive financial gains.

Being a single parent, I need to find the balance between taking care of my family and running a business. A handmade business could work best for me. This could give me an opportunity to channel my creativity and work from home with easily accessible supplies. E-commerce platforms, like Etsy, Lazada, and Amazon, make it possible for me to sell my products to customers around the world. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are also incredibly helpful for conducting business from home.

Do you appreciate home structure and decorating? Then an interior design business might be the perfect choice for you. The desire to make our surroundings more beautiful is a great motivation to enter the interior design business. I can assist people with limited budgets by home staging or decorating their homes with items they already own.

Do you have a passion for makeup or hair styling? Starting a beauty salon might be the ideal business for you. A beauty salon is one of the most popular choices among women starting their own business for the first time. Given the various options, I can choose the most suitable alternative that can provide a secure life with good earnings. I plan to execute both business and a job in parallel, as the most sensible safety net. This way, I can have a stable income from both job and business activities. With the current economic status, it’s hard to raise my three children with minimum salary and depending on one job.

You’re probably thinking about a business idea. It’s likely something you’ve been considering for a while. And you’re probably ready to turn your business idea into a reality.

As part of the planning stage, you’ll need to gather information, do research, and ensure that your business idea is viable. During this information gathering stage, there’s a small list of people you should talk with before proceeding with larger steps like applying for a bank loan or acquiring a business space. To assist you on your business journey, take the time to speak with these five people:

Family, friends, bankers, a trusted advisor or business coach, and a lawyer or accountant.

2 A depended on adviser or business educate
6 Decision making
7 Organizing
8 Budgeting

One of the first people I need to talk with about this new business is my family. It seems like a no-brainer, right? However, some people get so caught up in their business idea that they fail to have a genuine sit-down conversation about how the business could affect their relationships, finances, and free time.

“Starting a new business can be all-consuming, and the support of my family will make all the difference. It’s essential to know whether my family is ready for the commitment and time that starting a successful business will take.”

A depended on adviser or business educate

Getting a recommendation from someone in the enterprise field is always an excellent idea. Whether I’m starting my first business or my fifth, talking with someone who can provide me with unbiased business advice will truly be beneficial.

“I need someone who has been where I am and understands what there is to lose, as well as to win. Business owners need someone who understands them and their business, and is objective enough to keep the vision tied to the reality.”

Ideally, this person can continue to provide advice for years—not just as I plan my business, but also as it grows.

A lot of marketers obtain at least a part of their financing through a traditional bank loan. If I plan to borrow money, I will need to find a trusted banker to help me through the application process. I may also want to ask my business adviser to recommend a banker, or I could ask other business colleagues for a referral.

The smart way to start a business is with as much information as possible. By speaking with these five people, the foundation for success will be firm and well-grounded.

Starting an enterprise involves some legal hoops, so I need to talk with an attorney. For example, should I start an LLC, an S-Corp, or an Inc.? An attorney can provide me with advice and draw up the legal paperwork to ensure my business structure meets my goals and limits liability.

An attorney can also help me define business relationships. Maybe I borrowed money from one of my peers in exchange for equity in the company, or perhaps I plan to start a corporation with several partners. Whatever the situation, I need legal documents to set boundaries and minimize future disputes.

I want to improve my method of doing both business and work. I will focus on planning, decision-making, organizing, and budgeting.

It is the process of determining in advance what should be accomplished, when, by whom, how, and at what cost. Long-range planning is fundamentally important as it focuses attention on critical future issues that are vitally important to the organization. Strategic planning has been defined as that which involves determining the basic objectives of an organization and allocating resources to their achievement.

Decision making

Decisions should be made admirably under fluctuating conditions with various measures of information about options and results. Decisions are concerned with the future and might be made under states of certainty, states of risk, or states of uncertainty.

Organizing is the process of establishing formal relationships among people and resources in order to achieve specific goals and objectives. It is a method of creating defined connections among individuals and assets to reach predetermined targets.

The spending at that point becomes a guide, which, however, may always be in a state of change. The budgeting process isn’t merely a yearly task; it is a continuous process of regular review and possible revision. One should always be assessing how one’s performance compares to the initial expectations.

Single-parent rearing has become more common and accepted in Malaysia. Being a single parent is terrifying, confusing and overwhelming, but it can also be very rewarding. Single or not, I am my children’s parent and the most important tools I possess are my love for my children, my wisdom, and my common sense. These kids are significantly emotionally influenced by the quality and quantity of love and compassion invested in their upbringing. Regardless of the family structure, it must be one of respect and strong moral values that they can someday pass on to their own families. Children might feel they have lost a protector or a guide, leading to feelings of loss. This sense of loss could escalate to high rates of anxiety and aggression and children using their troubled emotions to manipulate their parents. If I do my best, learn from my mistakes (and I learn something new every day) and love my children along the way, I am doing all that any parent, single or married, can ever do. It is crucial for society and governmental aids to notice these fundamental differences and take action. There should be government-funded programs to support single parent families with childcare and finances.

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20 Scholarships for Students from Single-Parent Households

According to the Pew Research Center , approximately one-quarter of children in the United States are raised in single-parent families. While it’s not as uncommon as it once was, growing up as the child of a single parent can carry its own set of unique opportunities and challenges. Some children report closer familial relationships, while others struggle to make ends meet. For single-parent families with only one income, educational costs can represent an especially significant burden. Fortunately, there are a number of high-quality scholarships that provide financial assistance to students raised by single moms, dads, or other single guardians.

To qualify for many of these single-parent scholarships, you’ll need to complete the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA®) and calculate your student aid index (SAI) for your college education. Not sure how to begin? Use our custom tools to determine how much your family might be able to contribute and answer the FAFSA®’s trickiest questions . Then, sign up for Going Merry to find even more scholarships specifically for you.

20 Scholarships for Children of Single Parents

It doesn’t matter if you lost a parent to illness or an accident or if your parents simply divorced when you were young: These awards apply to dependent children from single-parent households of all kinds. So, if a single mom or dad raised you, start your scholarship search here.

1. Vincent Bennett Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Amount: Up to $6,250 a year

Provider: First Responders Children’s Foundation

Eligibility Requirements:

Minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college, university, or technical or vocational institution
Child of a law enforcement officer or firefighter who died or was permanently disabled in the line of duty
Must be a citizen or permanent resident

Application Requirements: Transcript, 3 letters of recommendation, student aid report, financial aid award letter, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency, proof of acceptance or enrollment, personal statement, headshot, list of honors and awards, picture of first responder’s ID or letter from employer

Named for Vincent Bennett Jr., a passionate member of the First Responders Children’s Foundation, this four-year award provides financial support to one exceptional college freshman each academic year. To be eligible for the Vincent Bennett Jr. Memorial Scholarship, you must be the child of a firefighter or law enforcement officer who was killed while on duty. While there’s no required field of study, students pursuing engineering will be given preference. Community service and high academic achievement will also help set you apart.

2. The Toby Merrill Scholarship

Amount: $9,700

Provider: The Toby Merrill Scholarship Fund

Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college or university

Application Requirements: Essay, list of extracurricular activities, list of honors and awards

Toby Merrill was a committed dad, husband, and friend who tragically lost his life to cancer. To honor Toby, his family and friends created the need-based Toby Merrill Scholarship to help students who have lost a parent pay for their higher education. Because Toby was committed to community service, scholarship recipients will need to complete 10 volunteer hours each year to renew their scholarship. While it’s not a requirement for entry, the award gives priority to students experiencing hardship due to bereavement and/or cancer.

3. First Responders Children’s Foundation Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Biological, adopted, or stepchild of a first responder who died in the line of duty

If you’re the child of a first responder who was killed in the line of duty, the First Responders Children’s Foundation Scholarship could help you pay for college. The award amount varies each year, but the maximum award amount is $6,250, and it can be renewed annually for up to four years. Priority goes to applicants whose parent(s) passed away while on the job. (Stepchildren of deceased first responders qualify, too, as long as they were listed as a dependent on tax returns prior to the first responder’s death.)

4. Jennifer Casey Alderman Scholarship Award

Amount: $10,000

Provider: Twisted Pink

Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, or Tennessee resident
Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Child of a parent who died from metastatic breast cancer or has financial hardship due to a parent currently living with metastatic breast cancer.

Application Requirements: Essay

Twisted Pink works to further research and access to care for people with metastatic breast cancer. In honor of Jennifer Casey Alderman, a mother and wife who lost her life to the disease, the organization created the Jennifer Casey Alderman Scholarship Award . To apply, you’ll need to write an essay about any topic of your choosing. (Need help with your essay? Use Going Merry’s essay tips to help you write the perfect one.) You’ll also need to provide proof of your eligibility via an obituary, death certificate, or letter from your parent’s medical oncologist. Scholarship recipients can renew the award each subsequent year for $2,500 annually.

5. Ava’s Grace Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Provider: The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis

Missouri or Illinois resident (limited to the following Illinois counties: Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, or St. Clair counties)
Minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university
Child of a parent who is or has been incarcerated in a U.S. penitentiary (state or federal)

Application Requirements: Transcript, completed FAFSA®, student aid report, personal statement, resume

The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis sponsors the Ava’s Grace Scholarship for students who have at least one incarcerated parent. The award was named for Ava, who founded the scholarship in response to her own mother’s incarceration and her desire to use education to break the incarceration cycle. To qualify, you must have been a resident of Missouri or a few select counties in Illinois for a minimum of two years. Priority goes to students with a Student Aide Index (SAI) of $15,000 or less. (If your SAI is greater than $15,000, you can still apply, but you’ll need to demonstrate extenuating circumstances.) In your personal statement, write about how having an incarcerated parent has affected your education, development, and goals for your future. This grant program is renewable for up to eight semesters.

6. The 9/11 Promise Scholarship

Provider: 9/11 Promise

Under the age of 25
Child of a first responder or armed services member who died in the line of duty OR children of a first responder or military service member certified as not being able to work

Application Requirements: 2 letters of recommendation, essay, personal statement, list of honors and awards

The 9/11 Promise Scholarship was initially created to honor those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City. Today, the award goes to 11 deserving young students whose lives have been irreparably changed due to the loss of a first-responder parent. The amounts vary between $5,000 and $15,000. This college scholarship can be used to fund undergraduate or graduate studies as well as to finance a trade or vocational degree. The essay prompt asks students to write about what they’ve learned by having a first responder for a parent. (You’ll also need to provide proof of death and documentation of your parent’s service.)

7. ReWritten Scholarship

Provider: ReWritten

Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college, university, or trade or vocational school
Child raised by a single mother

Application Requirements: Personal statement

Statistically, children raised without fathers are more likely to live in low-income communities, face imprisonment, die by suicide, or run away from home — but ReWritten wants to re-write that story. To support students from fatherless households, they’ve created the ReWritten Scholarship . The award ranges from $500 to $5,000 and is intended to help college students gain access to a brighter future. To apply, students should submit a written plan for their higher education and demonstrate financial need.

8. Life Lessons Scholarship Program

Provider: Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education

17 to 24 years of age
Child of a parent or legal guardian who is deceased

If you’ve lost a parent or guardian, the Life Lessons Scholarship Program is aimed at helping you afford higher education. This award is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. To apply, write an essay or record a three-minute video discussing how the death of your parent impacted your life and your plans for your future. This award is sponsored by the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, so if relevant, be sure to explain how a lack of appropriate life insurance impacted your family financially. The award amount varies, but the total amount for all prizes (usually around 40 total) will be $250,000.

9. The Family Scholarship Fund

Provider: The American Society of Safety Professionals Foundation

Child of a parent who died in a workplace incident

Application Requirements: Transcript, essay

As part of its mission to support those in occupational safety or health careers, the American Society of Safety Professionals Foundation created the Family Scholarship Fund . The fund works to offset college costs for students who have lost a parent in a workplace incident. The award amount varies by year and financial need. Because application requirements are fairly open-ended (students can be pursuing a degree either full-time or part-time, for example), the selection committee considers each application on an individual basis. For the best chance of winning, write an essay detailing how the loss of your parent affected your life.

10. Operation Second Chance Scholarship

Amount: $3,500

Provider: Operation Second Chance

Enrolled as a high-school senior
Child of a veteran who died from injuries related to combat deployment

Application Requirements: Transcript, student aid report, proof of acceptance or enrollment

Operation Second Chance works to support veterans and their families. To that end, the nonprofit offers its Operation Second Chance Scholarship to the children of veterans killed in combat. To apply, you must be a high school senior planning to pursue higher education in the upcoming school year. There is no GPA or standardized test score requirement, and students can plan to attend any kind of post-secondary school: community colleges, universities, vocational schools, and trade schools are all fair game for eligibility.

11. Colwell Law Single Parent Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: Colwell Law

Enrolled in a college or university
Child raised by a single parent

Application Requirements: Transcript, essay, resume

Colwell Law, a firm that specializes in family and divorce practice, understands how much of a financial burden it can be for single moms and dads to send their kids to college. To help bridge that gap in financial support, they endow the Colwell Law Single Parent Scholarship . The award is open to children of single parents as well as to single parents themselves. The application includes an essay where applicants should share how living in a single-parent household has shaped their values, character, and goals.

12. The Quell Foundation Survivor Scholarship

Provider: The Quell Foundation Irene Pasierb Memorial Fund

Minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale
Child of a parent, caregiver, or sibling who died due to suicide

Application Requirements: Transcript, personal statement

The Quell Foundation Irene Pasierb Memorial Fund is passionate about improving education and reducing the stigma around mental illness. The Quell Foundation Survivor Scholarship is given annually to students who have lost a parent, caregiver, or sibling to suicide. The scholarship opportunity is open to current high school seniors planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree, as well as to current undergraduate and graduate students. Your personal statement should include how your family member’s death has affected your life and education. (Refer to our tips to craft a compelling personal statement that will help you stand out from the crowd.)

13. Encore Protection Victims of Drunk Driving Scholarship

Provider: Encore Protection

Child of a parent who died due to a drunk-driving accident

Encore Protection provides roadside assistance to drivers across the United States. As part of their goal to improve driver safety, Encore is passionate about ending drunk driving. In an effort to support this cause, they’ve created the Encore Protection Victims of Drunk Driving Scholarship . This award helps students who have lost a parent to a drunk driving accident afford post-secondary education. To apply, you’ll need to write an essay addressing the effects of drunk driving — both on you and on the community at large.

14. The Lisa Michelle Memorial Fund Scholarship

Provider: The Lisa Michelle Memorial Fund

Child of a parent who died due to alcohol, drug, or prescription drug abuse

Application Requirements: Transcript, proof of acceptance or enrollment, essay

The Lisa Michelle Memorial Fund was created in honor of Lisa Michelle, a mother who tragically lost her battle with addiction. The Lisa Michelle Memorial Fund Scholarship supports one deserving student each year who has lost a parent to alcohol or drug abuse. This scholarship opportunity asks students to write an essay about their experience of losing a parent to addiction. In your statement, be sure to explain how a college education will impact both you and your family.

15. FOZA Scholarship for Maternal Mental Health Awareness

Provider: Friends of Zayne Adams, Inc.

Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Native American
Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college, university, or trade or vocational school
Child of a parent who died of postpartum depression-related suicide

Postpartum depression is a common and often undiscussed illness that affects up to approximately 15% of new mothers, according to the National Library of Medicine . Zayne Adams’s mother was one of them. After he lost her in the first month of his life, his mother’s friends and family came together to create the FOZA Scholarship for Maternal Mental Health Awareness . This scholarship award helps children who have lost a mother due to postpartum depression-related suicide. To apply, you’ll need to write an essay expressing why community service is important to you. This award is open to students pursuing undergraduate, associate’s, and/or trade degrees.

16. Tuition and Fee Exemption for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans Grant

Amount: Full tuition and fees

Provider: State of Indiana

Indiana resident
Under the age of 33
Child of a U.S. armed forces member who died or was permanently disabled in the line of duty

Application Requirements: Completed FAFSA®, student aid report

Unlike a lot of scholarships on this list, the Tuition and Fee Exemption for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans Grant is a grant program funded by the Indiana Department of Education. This program was specifically created for students who both reside and plan to pursue a college degree in the state of Indiana. To maintain eligibility, students must remain enrolled in a degree program at a public university or college. If you qualify for this grant, you will have up to eight years to use the assistance, so you can pause your studies at any time and come back to school later as needed.

17. Redrick Leijon Nicholas Williams Scholarship

Provider: Greater Emmanuel Temple Church

Los Angeles County resident
Black/African American male

Application Requirements: Transcript, 3 letters of recommendation, essay, video essay

Greater Emmanuel Temple Church, a cornerstone of the local Black community in Los Angeles, created the Redrick Leijon Nicholas Williams Scholarship to support Black men raised by single mothers. The award gets its name from a strong community leader and Greater Emmanuel Temple Church member who worked tirelessly to help his single mother support his four younger siblings. To honor his strength, this award goes to one graduating high school senior each year. You must be entering either a two- or four-year program to qualify. In addition to a written essay, students must submit a 90-second video about their mother, including her sacrifices and the role she played in the applicant’s life.

18. The Foster Hope Award

Amount: $500

Provider: Foster Hope

Wisconsin resident
Enrolled in a college or university
Have experienced an adverse life event

Application Requirements: Transcript, 2 letters of recommendation, proof of residency, essay

Initially created for children raised in the foster care system, the Foster Hope Award has been expanded to include all Wisconsin students who have experienced childhood hardship. To win it, you must have experienced an adverse life event — like losing a parent — and be able to write an essay explaining how you’ve demonstrated hope in the face of adversity. Applicants who are residents of Central Wisconsin or have attended the Royal Family Kids Camp will receive preference during the selection process. You’ll also need to be attending an in-state college or university.

19. Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

Provider: U.S. Department of Education

Child of a U.S. armed forces member who died during service in Iraq or Afghanistan
Ineligible for the Pell Grant based on your expected family contribution but meet all other Pell Grant eligibility requirements

Application Requirements: Completed FAFSA®, student aid report, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency

The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is a grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. To be eligible, you must not qualify for the Pell Grant due to your EFC but must meet the other Pell Grant requirements for financial need and U.S. citizenship. The award amount varies each year but cannot exceed the amount of your tuition. If you qualify, you’re eligible to receive this grant for up to 12 semesters. All you have to do to renew is continue to fill out the FAFSA® each year.

20. Children of Veterans Tuition Grant

Provider: State of Michigan

Michigan resident
16 to 26 years old
Child of a U.S. Armed Forces member who died or was permanently disabled due to service

The Children of Veterans Tuition Grant is a grant program designed to help Michigan students earn the college degrees of their dreams. To qualify, you must have a parent who is a veteran and who died or was permanently disabled during the course of their service. The award is renewable for up to four years or for $11,200 as long as the recipient maintains an overall GPA of 2.25 or higher. The scholarship amount varies based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA® and your course load, but the maximum for a full-time student is $2,800 per year.

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Losing a parent — either to death or to personal circumstances — can come with unimaginable grief, not to mention serious financial hardship. That’s especially true if you grew up in a low-income community. Only having one breadwinner can make pursuing a college education more difficult, but it doesn’t have to prevent you from receiving your degree. Thanks to the growing number of scholarship opportunities for children from single-parent homes, financial assistance is within reach.

If you need help keeping track of application deadlines, making sense of financial aid, or finding other relevant scholarships, Going Merry has you covered. Our intuitive, easy-to-use platform curates awards just for you based on your financial need, personal preferences, and interests.Simplify your scholarship search and application process by signing up for Going Merry today.

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Family / Single Parenting

Single Parenting Essay Examples

The consequences of single parenting for children.

Family is the first and probably the closest connection we all have since we were born. Forming a complete family requires both parents and children to help each other in finances and to be there for each other whenever they are in need. Unfortunately, not...

Broken Families: Research on the Effects of Divorce

Why did the broken family rate increase at 20 to 30 percent in the United States? This question led me to choose the topic of broken family essay to find the answer. The article that I am going to be talking about is “Broken Families...

Single Parents Should Get More Praise and Support

One-third of children living in the US are living with a single mother. “81% of those single-parent homes are headed by a mom.” This is a big problem worldwide, it can cause the child to have more problems in school, they’re going to be different...

The Issue of Single Parenting in the United States

The government has long viewed single parenting as an issue in the United States. Single parenthood is more common among low-income women who often experience unintended pregnancy when they are still unmarried and poor. While these women view marriage as a luxury that should be...

How Does Single Parenting Work

Traditional families that consist of two parents and their children with both parents in their first marriage have become less common in the United States. The increasing rate of divorce over the years resulted in an increasing number of binuclear, or single-parent families as well....

Pros & Cons of Social Networking Sites & Selfies

In our modern society (SNS) has created ample opportunities for connecting, sharing and disclosing information amongst peers. Further positive affirmations of selfie-posting as men-tioned by Boursier & Manna (2018), whom argue that there are two significant factors: (1) self-promotion and (2) self-disclosure. Social promotion is...

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