Some may see it as an intolerable burden and others as a significant improvement over married life. Single parenthood implies an increase in living expenses and forces changes in life-style for the parents as well as the children. For many single parents, problems with children are the major focus. The loss of familiar social support systems is also a common concern of single parents. Most single parents complain of severe loneliness, depression, and unfulfilled sexual needs, but they may struggle with the appropriateness of making themselves available to the opposite sex after years of marriage.
Depression is demonstrated through acting out.
School performance often decreases. School and peer problems are common. The physician's most important role in addressing these potential problems of childhood is one of anticipatory guidance. Parents need to know that such regression is to be expected as part of the child's grieving process over the loss of the parent and confusion about role identity in the single-parent family. This is also the approach the parent should be encouraged to take in coping with the regression and other changes that occur in children as part of the separation process.