The Importance Of Single Parenting

Despite of family unit, the importance of parenting is one of the best predictors of children’s social and emotional well being. Many single parents find it risky to function efficiently as parents. Several studies show that single parenting is associated with children’s poor academic achievements, low self esteem, emotional problems, conduct problems and problems forming and maintaining social affiliation (Paul R. Amato, 2005).

Disclosure to Stress Children living in one parent families are exposed to more stressful experiences and conditions than children who are living in two parent families. Though scholars define stress in different ways, most believe that it occurs when external demands exceed people 's coping skills.

B. English, a psychologist that mental health “an enduring state where in the person is well adjusted, has a zest for living and is attaining self actualization. It is a positive state not merely absent of mental disorder.” Boehm defined Mental Health as “a condition and level of social functioning in a socially acceptable way.” Mental health is defined as a state of mind characterized by emotional well being, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms and capacity to establish constructive relationship and cope with the ordinary demand of stresses of life (Corsini 1999). Psychologists use the term “well adjusted” synonym for “Mental Health”. When we say that a person is “Well Adjusted”, so we are talking that he is mentally healthy person and “Maladjusted Person” is said to be Mentally Ill person”.

Characteristics of Mentally Healthy Person Different characteristics of a Mentally Healthy person are as following

Self Regulated A mentally healthy persons have the ability to governs polices itself without the help of others. (Steven Stosny, 2011)

Self Esteem A mentally healthy person has confidence on its own abilities and values (Hewitt,

He is the most of time comfortable with other people and reacts with freedom of action in different social situation.

To Accept and Give Attention Another aspect of mental health involves the ability to form relationship with people. A well adjusted person does not make arguing with others for the gratification of his own needs. To be Productive and happy Mental health is also characterized by general productivity and mentally healthy person is able to use his abilities in a more productive way and they do not have the feelings of hatred or jealousy towards someone.

Absence of Extensive Tension or