If mothers are automatically considered the better parent, why is it the worst things come from single mother homes, and single fathers do better?

Question

I could not ask the question the way i wanted to, so let me rephrase. If mothers are automatically considered the better parent, why is it the worst things come from single mother homes, and single father homes are statistically better? Seriously look into i some time. The only stat that is negative that comes from single father homes is adult promiscuity. Other than that Children from single father homes fare as well as households that have mothers and fathers both, and certainly FAR better than single mother homes. This matters because there is simply no escaping it, children benefit greatly from having an equal number of positive male and female influences in their lives.  The article is a good read. Bottom line, regardless of what modern society tells you ALL children need both of their parents. There are a number of factors, from the fact that men have an easier time of getting positive female role models to help, to the fact that statistically women are more prone to mental illness than their male counterparts.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I read the article, and the author points to the reasoning for this disparity. She writes, single fathers on average find it easier to find positive female influences than single mothers do positive male, and single fathers are on average less likely to succumb to mental health problems, and these factors give single fathers a substantial advantage over single mothers." She also states that men have an easier time dating/marrying again, thus creating a positive female role model in the home, because a woman is more likely to accept a man who already has kids then a man is to accept a woman who already has kids.

This also made me wonder if the data reflects the type of relationships studied. I.e. if you are single parent because your husband/wife died, vs. a single parent because you chose to leave a relationship, vs. a single parent because your husband/wife abandoned you and the family, vs. a single parent because the other is incarcerated. I think there is external information to be factored in to the children's upbringing aside from just one was raised with mom vs dad because there is a huge psychological component to these situations that can affect families.

Ultimately, I agree with the author and this post in that kids tend to be a bit better off with a mom and dad in a healthy relationship to raise them or a mom and dad figure in their lives. I grew up in a two parent household and I can see the difference between myself and some of my friends who did not, but knowing them as people and not as data points, I can see how well a job those single parents, both female and male did, given their circumstances as their kids/my friends are healthy well adjusted adults.

LazerBean · Accepted Answer

No single parent will ever be able to raise their children as well as a properly functioning, unbroken family. Show me a child that was mostly raised by a single parent, whether male or female, that I'll show you a child who has some sort of serious psychological issue that they struggle with in their everyday life.

Astarlessnightsky · Accepted Answer

Because only really really good fathers win custody over their children. Of course they continue to treat their children well

Avicenna · Accepted Answer

Fathers and mothers complement each other. The best results usually come from two-parent households.

monorprise · Answer

This makes sense from the point of view that women typical have trouble imposing any kind of discipline, and a lack of discipline and self-control can lead to all sorts of problems.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Because it is much, much, much more difficult for a dad to get physical custody if the mom at all wants it. Because of this, it is generally only the very best dads who get awarded custody.

BarryLiverstone · Answer

About 86% of Single Parent families are led by Moms.

If mothers are automatically considered the better parent, why is it the worst things come from single mother homes, and single fathers do better?

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If mothers are automatically considered the better parent, why is it the worst things come from single mother homes, and single fathers do better?

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