The number of single-parent families is increasing everywhere. The 2002 United States Census found that three out of ten children lived in a single-parent home. Experts believe the number is steadily increasing and they expect the trend to continue for years to come.
The growing acceptance of divorce as a solution to marriage problems is a social factor supporting the rise of Soltera-parent families. With that acceptance has come greater tolerance for single parents.
Single parents face many challenges. They must earn a living and raise their children without the help and support of another adult in the home. They face financial difficulties if they do not receive child support or do not have a high salary. Their time is overloaded with work, housework, parent-teacher conferences and PTA meetings, and attempts at private time to rest and relax.
Support systems for single parents are growing, but they often feel isolated and alone. New single parents must cope with children who have their own problems adjusting to the new lifestyle. They may face anger, feelings of abandonment and rebellion on the part of children who feel that they do not receive enough attention.
Although there is no clear census data on the number of single black parents, experts assume the number will also increase. They express concern that single black parents may face more pressure than other single parents due to continued social discrimination, despite less political or legal discrimination.
Many experts assume that men are less equipped to be single parents than women, arguing that men do not receive the same level of training in housework and that women are naturally more caregivers. However, other professionals claim that men are more likely to be objective and logical in decision-making for the home and that they are more consistent in disciplining their children than women.
Interviews of full-time African-American single parents conducted by Robert Coles of Marquette University explored why they wanted to be full-time parents. When men talked about their motivations, they mentioned fulfilling their responsibilities, reworking their own feelings about their absent parents, being a role model, and maintaining an established relationship with their children.
Experts and psychologists have conducted several new studies trying to learn more about parenting single black children. There are also a number of websites that contain information and advice focused on the experience of being a single parent of the black man.
The following articles are examples of literature available on the Internet for black male single parents.
- “Father Trapped: Dating for Single Parents.” Written anonymously by a single parent, this article discusses the author’s experiences with dating as a single parent. Assuming that their experiences can be generalized to other men and to single black fathers, readers can relate to their joys and challenges.
- “Bad rap against mothers.” This article was published in a popular leading magazine several years ago, but it’s still fresh and relevant. Its author is a single mother who was abandoned by her black partner.
- “Bad rap against mothers, part 2”. A second part of the previous article, Part 2, describes and analyzes more carefully the challenges that single mothers present for mothers. The author imagines what life would have been like if she had been the one to leave the relationship. Explaining her argument, the author believes that single parents are well positioned to raise “exceptional men” who have good manners and noble principles.
- The inspirational excerpt from “Come Home” comes from the popular “Chicken Soup for Single Parents: Stories of Hope, Healing, and Humor.” This selection recognizes that everyone’s experience with single parents is very personal and that each parent has their own story to tell.
- “Get more time with your children and manage child support” was written for single black men, but it will be equally moving and valuable for white single parents. The article provides information on the personal and financial problems that single men face.
- “Dreaming Through the Twilight” is as sweet and soft as its title, but at the same time profound. It is also available as a book that compiles personal diary articles about single-parent black men who have difficulty coping with their lives as single parents.


