Effect of a Single Mother Home on a Male Child Depends on Mom

Time and Environment Determine the Effect of a Single Mother Home on a Male Child

The effect of a single mother home on a male child has many positive effects if the single mother provides a supportive and stable environment.  Men can not disappear off the earth, even though women may wish at times they would.  Except for the most sheltered cases, there will always be male influence.  The effect of a single mother home on a male child will depend on the mother, and the male.

The effect of a single mother home on a male child depends on the circumstances of the male entering the single mother home, the involvement of a father or other male influence, other children in the home, the male’s environment,  the mother, and the male child.  The isolated fact that a male is being raised in a single mother home will not have a negative effect on the health and well-being of the male.  Prior conditions and later relations will determine the effect of a single mother home on a male child.

Early Circumstances Affect the Effect of a Single Mother Home on a Male Child

A male child that has been raised from birth by a single mother without knowing his father will be affected differently than a male child who lives with a single mother but receives visits from his father regularly.  Similarly, a male child from a single mother home that was the result of a single mother adoption or single mother artificial insemination may have different perceptions than a young male son of a young teen not realizing the disadvantages of being a teen mother.

A male son witnessing years of his parents arguing before a children and divorce settlement moved him in with his single mother, and a male child who witnessed years of domestic violence before his mom asserted her single mother rights to divorce, will be affected differently than a male child living with his single mother after an amicable divorce and friendly joint custody plan.
 
A child who watched his parents argue frequently, will likely have behavior problems in school whether he lives with his married parents or in a single mother home.   In addition, males have more behavior problems than females, whether they are in married homes or single mother homes.

The Effect of a Single Mother Home on a Male Child that has Healthy Male Influences

The effect of a single mother home on a male child will also depend on social male influences. 2008 studies from the Journal of Marriage and Family have shown that what matters is that the male influence is a good one.  As long as quality time is spent, the actively participating male will have a positive influence on the child. 

In one study, “social” fathers performed better at parenting than biological fathers.  Even back in 1985 a study at the University of Michigan reported that black male children in single mother homes do just as well whether their father lives in the home or out of the home, as long as he’s involved in his son’s life. 

Another 2008 study on boys and teachers showed that male teachers make a significant impact on their male student’s lives.   A single mother who lives in an area without strong male influences can utilize church youth groups and single mother programs, such as the Boys and Girls club which has been proven to establish healthy male emotional bonding.  The effect of a single mother home on a male child will also vary depending on how single mother dating is presented in the home, and the male’s participation in household roles. 

The effect of a single mother home on a male child will be positive if there exists a positive background and a positive environment.  Providing a male child with healthy active male role models will have a strong beneficial effect on a young male growing up in a single mother home.  Every parent is different and every child is different, and the effect of a single mother home on a male child will be different for everyone. 

Resources for Single Mothers Raising a Son:

Raising Him Alone
1994 Michigan Study Black American Fathers
Science News Effect of “Social Dads”