COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of children in the nation living in single-parent households has nearly tripled between 1960 and 2023.
The percentage went from 9% to 25% as research shows that kids from single-parent households are more than likely to face emotional and behavioral challenges linked to factors such as parental stress and witnessing conflicts between the adults, particularly in the case of divorce or relationships that end.
On Monday, Counseling Psychologist Dr. Charlotte Michelle Sanchez stopped by WRBL News 3 and spoke with anchor Teresa Whitaker to discuss the impacts of single-parent households on children.
She says there can be single-parent homes where children thrive if there is a strong parental relationship, but there are times when there is high custody conflict or divorces where children struggle emotionally, stemming from when parents are angry with each other.
This can lead to children being pulled into the conflict, which can cause problems since children aren't fully developed mentally. When this happens, that could also potentially lead to one of the parents turning the child against the other parent, which is considered emotional abuse, according to Michelle Sanchez.
Michelle Sanchez advises those currently going through this kind of situation to remember to they child is not a part of the divorce. She says the challenge is to focus on your own private situation, keep reassurance with the child and help the communication between both parents for the child.
She says children need a good parent on both ends, mother and father; they shouldn't have to choose.
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