The term single parent has been received for a while now with a lot of strong and negative connotations.
There is a stigma attached to the word “single parent” and they are sometimes seen as not being enough to completely take care of their children’s needs on their own.
First of all, who is a single parent?
And is a single parent the same with a solo parent?
A single parent in the society is often considered to be a person who has a child or children without being in a relationship or being married.
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Who is a solo parent?
A solo parent on the other hand as defined by the society is a person who has previously been a marriage or relationship and share a child or children with them but for some reason is no longer in that relationship.
Sometimes, it’s due to irreconcilable differences which leads to divorce.
Should we really be putting people in these boxes. In reality, there is no difference between the both terms, but, the society outlook has unfortunately shelved them, making one feel negative while the other tolerable.
Once again, going by the society, most single parent are intentional about raising their kids alone. They do not care very much to be long term relationship or even get married but are super present for their kids lives.
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Solo parents operate alone but some times they tend to rely on others especially any kind of government owned assistance.
So many parent have an issue with being referred to as single parent.
And they would much rather be referred to as solo parents.
It’s hard to blame them because of the society we live in which has made single parent feel slighted.
Single…solo, who cares?
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They all mean similar things and should not have a negative connotation.
Being a single or solo parent does not make you less of a parent.
If we are being honest, no one deliberate decides to raise their kids alone, but circumstances and situations can happen which can alter your initial ideal.
Separation, divorce, late marriage and even death all contribute hugely to single parenthood.