Single Parent Struggle By Chris Polito Analysis

In the essay “Single Parent Struggle,” Chris Polito talks about children growing up with only one parent, and how just because they might just have a father or mother raising them, it doesn't mean they can't grow up equal to a child with both parents. He argues that children should be taught more about values than structure of a family. Throughout the whole essay, Polito goes on to argue his point on how children can grow up with the emotional, social, and behavioral skills they need through just one parent. The first point Polito discusses is the emotional and behavioral skills children can only acquire through the guidance of two parents. He goes on to argue the quote, 'Single-parent families cause juvenile crime,” (Polito 1) by the author Robert L. Maginnis. Just because a child is raised by one parent, that doesn't automatically mean they will grow up to be a
Over half of American children, since 1995, live with only one parent (Polito 2). He goes on to criticize the parent who couldn't be there for their child and left, stating that parents should have considered the possibilities of having children before having one. Accidents do occur, but adults should realize what could be at stake when having a child. If you aren't ready to have kids, than exercise proper care to make sure you don't end up with one. Or better yet, if you do have a child, then all you have to do is love them and be a good parent (Polito 2-3). Polito goes on the discuss step-parents as well, an experience he has also personally dealt with. Step-parents, while helpful to the single parent in terms of financial and emotional support, can be quite the change for a child who grew up with only their one parent. “Step-parents cause confusion and emotional stress,” Polito states, but goes on to say that so long as they are understanding, a step-parent could be a good thing for a child's life (Polito