On average, kids fare better in two-parent families. But a sizable percentage of children in single-parent families thrive, and many in two-parent families do not. What matters most—regardless of family structure—is what happens within the family.
Particularly important is the family’s ability to support and nurture, minimize conflict, practice democratic decision making, set and enforce boundaries, provide consistent and positive forms of discipline and model, and encourage values of caring and responsibility.
Families should also provide access to structured activities (e.g., clubs, organizations, lessons) and a stimulating environment for learning (including parental involvement in schooling).
While it is somewhat easier to deliver these in two-parent families, some single-parent families do succeed by drawing on informal and formal support systems from neighborhoods, schools, and churches. Our challenge is to discover ways to maximize the number of strong two-parent families and support all family efforts to raise healthy children, including efforts by single-parent families.
