[Ninastar]

It definitely depends on the parent(s)

[Tom4784]

Quality over quantity. You could have a family that flourishes with a great single parent and another that's drowning under two bad ones and vice versa.

[Vicky.]

Very much depends on the person/people I think.

[Angus]

When you think about it, there must have been thousands and thousands of single mothers during WW2, whose husbands were killed or missing. In fact even those whose husbands survived the war had been bringing up their kids for 4 or 5 years alone anyway. There was no song and dance made of it then, women just had to get on with it. The only difference being, and it is an important difference, is that there were closer knit communities and extended families living close by to help out.

I am certainly not suggesting it is the ideal scenario, two good parents is always going to be the ideal. It must be great to have a loving, responsible father around as you grow up. At least I always imagined so since I had an alcoholic, sometimes violent, irresponsible one whom I loved and hated in equal measure - that ambivalence towards a parent is not a good emotion to deal with.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by angus58

When you think about it, there must have been thousands and thousands of single mothers during WW2, whose husbands were killed or missing. In fact even those whose husbands survived the war had been bringing up their kids for 4 or 5 years alone anyway. There was no song and dance made of it then, women just had to get on with it. The only difference being, and it is an important difference, is that there were closer knit communities and extended families living close by to help out.

I am certainly not suggesting it is the ideal scenario, two good parents is always going to be the ideal. It must be great to have a loving, responsible father around as you grow up. At least I always imagined so since I had an alcoholic, sometimes violent, irresponsible one whom I loved and hated in equal measure - that ambivalence towards a parent is not a good emotion to deal with.

Luckily for my mother we lived in a really close-knit neighbourhood. I have always wondered what my life would be like or what I would be like if my father was still alive. It makes me sad sometimes thinking about that.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Looking at the big numbers, 2 parents are much better than one.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

Looking at the big numbers, 2 parents are much better than one.

Not always. What if the 2 parents were alcoholics who beat their kids compared to a single parent who does everything for their children?

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by ukturtle

Not always. What if the 2 parents were alcoholics who beat their kids compared to a single parent who does everything for their children?

I am not talking individual cases I am talking about looking at the nation as a whole. Looking at large sample sizes. In general 2 parents are best and the big numbers will agree, hence policy is made with such an assertion.

[Lee.]

My sister and I were brought up in a single parent family (although I did have a "2nd parent" in my Grandma) and have definitely never felt we missed out by not having a father figure in our lives; My mum did a great job!

[Grimnir]

Ideal family is a mum and dad who are excellent parents and love and care for their children
A Single parent can also be excellent and love and care their children but can never be as good as having mum and dad together
But they can be a lot better than many mum and dad who are crap parents and don't care at all

[Angus]

Originally Posted by Grimnir

Ideal family is a mum and dad who are excellent parents and love and care for their children
A Single parent can also be excellent and love and care their children but can never be as good as having mum and dad together
But they can be a lot better than many mum and dad who are crap parents and don't care at all

I totally agree - I married for life and stuck it out way past the marriage's sell by date, until it became apparent to me that the violence was escalating and when it started to extend to my children I decided enough was enough. My children were, quite frankly, terrified of their father, as was I.

In an ideal world all children deserve to have two loving, caring parents and that scenario is ALWAYS going to best. But if the worst happens, so long as there is at least one parent ready and willing to nurture, love and cherish thier children, that's surely got to be better than staying in a poisonous and abusive relationship. Believe me, I have always felt guilty that my boys grew up with just one parent, but staying with my ex was never an option, he would have destroyed them emotionally, psychologically and physically - I doubt I'd even be here now if I had not got out when I did. My last memory of my ex is having a knife to my throat!

It took me a fair few years to regain my self confidence and self esteem and I have never remarried and never will. Once bitten, twice shy.