Yet this behaviour also lets children know they are different, that they are not expected to perform or behave the same as other kids and must be compensated for somehow. Children want to be treated the same as their friends, they do not want to be singled out and made to feel different, or they do start to feel that something is wrong with them and the way they live. Statistics show that four out of every 10 marriages will end in divorce. While not all these involve children, about 40 per cent of kids will spend at least some time in a single-parent family. This is a lot of people to be telling they are abnormal and destined to fail, and the numbers are increasing.
Single mothers are the fastest growing demographic group in Australia.
Rather than isolating them and their children, we should be looking at ways of helping them cope. Society could only benefit by us accepting the diversity of people's lives, rather than marginalising such a large proportion of the population. Single parenting is tough enough without having outsiders tell you that both you and your children are destined to fail. You can fight it constantly and reassure your kids that they are OK, but it's like water torture. The constant drip will get to you eventually.