People who grew up with a single parent, do you feel like your life would have been better if you grew up in a two parent home?

Question

Personally for me, I feel like had my father not been a cheating abusive pos I would have a much better upbringing. Not saying that it was horrible, but my mother struggled to raise us.

She spent a lot of her time working and therefore leaving me being somewhat neglected. Don't get me wrong, she is a great mother and did the best she could, but I just know had I had a father in my life, life would have went much better.

ohsheeT · Accepted Answer

From 1 to 5 years old, I grew up with a dad and my mom. The but at five years old I found out that he was my step dad

So from that moment on I went for the search. I looked at every person in this world.
Wondering if you is my dad

At 10 years old, they got divorced so from 10 to 16. My mom just raised us. And then at 16 and a 1/2 she got married again, but I ended up moving out. Because my first stepdad used to beat me with a belt. And this guy put his hands-on me and I wasn't gonna have it. I promised my mom. I would never ever let another guy hurt me ever

And 1 day he put his hands-on me. I put him up against the wall. And I was whispering to him. You ever touched me again? And I will f****** kick your a** But his eyes were telling me that my mom was standing behind me. So I let go turn around walk towards her. She had tears in her eyes and I apologized. I said I told you I wouldn't let anybody ever touch me again. And then the next week.
After that moment until I was like thirty two I think it's what I finally meant him.

But I'm not gonna wish or I'm not gonna think could it. Or would it have been different or better? Because it doesn't even matter. I turned out really good at least I think so, and I would not change the thing ever. I'd like who I am so when you say it could have been different. It could have been different, better or different worse. I wouldn't trade a thing even with all the c***I've been through. I would not try to thit was meant to be that way and i'm glad that it was that way to be honest

And I think it's harder for a girl anyway, because her father is, I have a daughter and she's my best friend. We talk about anything everything she knows she can come to me no matter what. And I kind of Told her showed her just in the way that I did in women or just around females is how to treat them in what she should expect how she should be treated and do not do not let guy walk on you for any reason. But I could see where maybe in your head. You allowed it to mess you up, but I think once you really think about it and you really find yourself. You're gonna find that you are ten times stronger now then you probably wouldn't have been

The second time I met my real dad and I don't mean anything bad by this but I always wanted to know who I was but I found out who I didn't want to be.

Circushowcowboy · Accepted Answer

Sorry your dad wasn’t around for you.  I can’t really answer, I was more fortunate in that avenue.

Beckybooboo · Accepted Answer

My boyfriend got me hooked on a show called, "A Football Life". It's basically a life story of some of the most prolific NFL players that ever played but I really don't care about their careers lol I am always amazed at the struggles they faced growing up, usually in a household with just a mother and how they succeeded in life! The one common denominator, is they always gravitated toward their coaches as sort of a "father figure". They taught them discipline, to respect authority, work ethic and how to conduct themselves as young men. My mom and her brothers (my uncle's) grew up without a father and my uncle's were great athletes and always saw their coaches as role models, plus, their grandfather lived with them and was a father figure. A lot of my teammates on my various soccer teams respected and loved our coaches for the same reason. I'm curious, did you have a solid male figure in your life? A grandpa, uncle, family friend... You are an amazing woman, @simslover92 I think it's amazing how you're so candid about your struggles, because without even realizing it, you're probably helping people realize they're not alone ❤️

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

No, my mother didn’t have a lot of money, so I grew up valuing experiences over material things. Even after meeting my father and step-siblings as a teen, I never asked for financial help because that’s how my mother raised me.

Being able to say I have built my life without financial assistance makes me very proud, supported by my family's encouragement. I remember spending time with my dad at the mall, using my own money. My step-sister once said he felt I was just using him, but to me, it was a way to bond since I didn’t know any other free options to bond with him. And they were the ones that would constantly ask for money and would get rides by him.

And now it's interesting to see how adults who were always handed everything because they were taught to ask and not work for anything, lack ambition and struggle to find their paths. I've had to work hard for everything, which has made me a dedicated worker and deeply appreciative even the smallest things, which is probably why I am where I am now. 😊

TrimmedTip · Answer

That’s a deeply personal and valid feeling. Many people who grew up with a single parent wonder how things might have been different in a two-parent household — especially when that absence came from pain, like abuse or abandonment.

Your acknowledgment of your mother’s strength and effort, while also recognizing what was missing, shows a lot of emotional honesty. It’s completely natural to imagine a version of your childhood with more support, stability, or emotional presence — not because your mom didn’t try her best, but because every child deserves to feel secure, seen, and supported.

That said, growing up with one loving and dedicated parent often builds resilience, empathy, and independence in ways that are unique and powerful. You clearly carry both the love your mother gave and the strength you developed through challenge.

You’re not alone in looking back with mixed feelings. Healing isn’t about forgetting what was hard — it’s about honoring your story, including the love and the longing.

Vevv123 · Answer

I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I grew up in a very humble household, which taught me to appreciate and prefer the simple things, my grandparents raised me because my mom was always working, so a lot my way of thinking and knowledge is deeply rooted by what my grandparents taught me, so am I am very connected and proud of my Mexican roots and culture. I’ve also grown to be extremely empathetic with with my mother, who worked two jobs, because I know what she had to endure and was a great role model since she taught me to be a hard worker. I believe that hardships actually give you little beautiful priceless gifts, I’m sure you have some too. 😊

MemeSupreme · Answer

i did live just with my dad for a while who was very neglectful (an addict), AND my mom did come back years later married to someone new. her and my step-dad were very abusive

so no bc my parents suck and i dont see anyone decent being with them lol

Twalli · Answer

So, you think your life would have been better if that cheating abusive pos was still with your mother? That could have been your only other choice, besides being raised by a single mother. So, it's possible that your life went better since that person wasn't in your life.

queenofcardio · Answer

Grew up in a 2 parent household with strict parents. I think it would have been more freeing in a single parent household. I'm over it now but I do like life would have been different if my dad wasn't so strict.

capriVib · Answer

My father was around, but he was a workaholic. It feels like I grew up with a single parent. I think it would have made a difference if he had been more involved.

Nikki1989 · Answer

It depends on how you look at it. Growing up with a single parent often teaches a child to be highly self-sufficient and resourceful, so it is NOT always a negative.

Anonymous · Answer

YES. adult responsibilities/worries wouldn't be pushed on me. i would have no worries. my only worries would be getting my homework done (no help in that department either). i would understand how to communicate better and have a healthier way of thinking. i wouldn't have to make myself the same dinner every single night for years. my brother would have been better disciplined and less mean to me because someone would be around to shut him up.

dustybiker2 · Answer

Not if those two people made the environment toxic.

sage2021 · Answer

Only if the 👨‍👩‍👧 Dad was a good dad, otherwise I was better off without mine.

Anonymous · Answer

I grew up in a two parent home, but my father cheated a lot, so it was not a happy home. However, we were probably a lot better off in that he at least supported us financially.

beebella · Answer

I grew up in a two parent home and it still feels like I was raised by a single parent. 😬

linka_pat307 · Answer

I grew up with my dad... but just realised everything happens for the reason.. the situation i experienced created the person i have near

Shiprex · Answer

I'm grown up and now have just one parent but that doesn't count

Ironic_Method · Answer

I think it would have been better, but no one can stand to live with him and I can't blame them.

Ariesman81 · Answer

You were quite possibly the product of Parental Alienation.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm sorry for being so unfortunate.  I grew up with both parents, but my dad was kind of negligent when it comes to family.

Jeff51 · Answer

Didn't have a dad. I feel ok.

People who grew up with a single parent, do you feel like your life would have been better if you grew up in a two parent home?

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Is it better to have children live with their single father or their single mother?

People who grew up with a single parent, do you feel like your life would have been better if you grew up in a two parent home?

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Is it better to have children live with their single father or their single mother?

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