Socioeconomic Status and Single Parent Families - Literature review Example

Position Statement on Socioeconomic Status and Single Parent Families August, 2012 1. Preamble Health forms a fundamental element in modern society. Governments in developed and developing economies around the globe are allocating millions of dollars to the health care sector in order to ensure sustainability of healthy populations which are essential to economic affluence (Ziol-Guest, 2008). There are varied factors that influence health and among these factors are the socioeconomic statuses of people. There has been a close correlation between health and the socioeconomic status of various family structures (Kokaua et al., 2010). Single parent families are a form of family structures that are gaining prominence in present world as more and more children are getting born and raised by single parents. A single parent is defined as a parent who has and raises a child or children while living without the other parent of the child or children as described by Bramlett & Blumberg (2007). Under the single parent structure, there are the single mother families and the single father families. Globally, the rate of children living under the single parent family structure has been on the increase in the recent past across all races and ethnic groups (Leininger & Ziol-Guest, 2008). For instance, in the United States, more than twenty million children are raised by one parent with more than 80% of the single parents being mothers (Chen & Escarce, 2006). According to Chen & Escarce, (2006), the percentages of single mother families are much higher than that of the single father families although the latter has been on the increase. In Australia, there are more than 9% of single parent families of all families living in the country with the highest proportion living in Darwin and the lowest in Melbourne as recorded by PHIDU, (2012). The rate of single parent families in Australia has been on the rise, which necessitates the need to analyze the health implications of the socioeconomic status of single parent families and placing greater emphasis on single mother families. 2. Critical analysis of the health implications of SES for single-mother families 2.1 The single parent families of which single mother families falls under are a vulnerable group, which requires keen attention to ensure they are able to access and utilize holistic health care that effectively and efficiently meet their needs as supported by Ziol-Guest, (2008). 2.2 To demonstrate the impact and the correlation the socioeconomic status has on the health of those in single parent families in Australia, statistics show that there are increased rates of single parent families in regions marked under Accessibility/ Remoteness Index of Australia compared to urban areas (PHIDU, 2012). According to PHIDU, (2012) there is correlation between urban areas with high percentage of single parent families with high rates of rental housing, unemployment and includes individuals attracting disability support payments. 2.3 In addition, urban areas with increased numbers of single parent families is extensively linked with deteriorating level of health, which are characterized by poor health reports, high proportions of mortality rates as a result of lung cancer, respiratory and circulatory diseases and individuals with reduced scores on the Physical Component Summary (PHIDU, 2012). 2.4 More often than not, the health implications of socioeconomic statuses for single family structures can sufficiently be evaluated by assessing the health access, use and outcomes of children raised up in such environments or family set ups. Single mother family structures which are also referred to as mother only families entails mothers who raises children without living with the father of the children (Scharte & Bolte, 2012). 2.5 There are various reasons why a mother may raise children without living with the father of the children which includes being widowed, being divorced, being separated or the mothers having never been married (Bramlett & Blumberg, 2007). 2.6 Research done indicate that there are distinct differences in the health access and outcomes for children raised under the single parent families particularly the single mother families compared with children raised in other types of family structures (Kokaua, et al., 2010). Nevertheless, Chen & Escarce, (2006), indicates that the use of health care for single mother families to be similar to those in two parent families. This position statement does not downplay the important role single mothers play in raising healthy children but it is categorical in indicating that the socioeconomic status of these family structures influences significantly the health access, use and outcomes that children in single mother families have. Compared to other type of family structures such as the two parent structures and the single father families, single mother families encounter more challenges that makes accessing quality healthcare for their children impossible (Leininger & Ziol-Guest, 2008). Determinants of health for single mother families 3. Financial difficulties 3.1 According to Leininger & Ziol-Guest, (2008), more than 70% of single mothers earn less than a thousand dollars a month and they are faced with the difficulty of providing for their families since they have low paying employment opportunities 3.2 It can be argued that a single mother encounters all the challenges that families in low income faces, with additional role of caring for a child single handedly (Ziol-Guest, 2008). 3.3 A single mother often earns less money and they therefore have to compensate for this by working for longer hours which deprives them time to spend with families. The absence has the potential to result in lack of sufficient supervision of children, reduced monitoring of the actions of children and diminished communication between parents and children, which forms a poor family environment for children to develop and facilitate a healthy lifestyle (Scharte & Bolte, 2012). 3.4 Be it as it may, single mothers are more available for their families emotionally compared to single fathers as supported by Bramlett & Blumberg, (2007). Even though single mother families have less financial access, they have abundance of social support system. The ability to achieve balance between work and family can ensure single mother families flourish in modern day environments. 3.5 Challenges that face single parent families in general may not necessarily be as a result of person who raises the child, but it can be attributed to varied factors that are closely linked to single parenthood (Leininger & Ziol-Guest, 2008). More often than not, single parent families are hard pressed financially as earlier indicated which is a major contributor to other problems of the family such as the inability to access quality health care and quality education as echoed by Ziol-Guest, (2008). 3.6 The implications of being raised in a low income family which is often the case in single mother families entails things such as low levels of education, low economic success which impacts on the emotional, psychological and physical state of the child as they grow up into adulthood (Muir, et al., 2009). Single parenthood and financial hardships often overlap. 4. Low socioeconomic status 4.1 The reason why children from single parent families often are in the low socioeconomic status is because providing for them single handedly for all their needs such as education, health, food, shelter and clothing is hard. AMA, (2010) indicates that low socioeconomic status translates to poor health access, use and outcomes because, single mother families who are often in low socioeconomic status do not have the ability to afford quality healthcare, housing, food and clothing which exposes them to poor health. The possibility of moving from one house and place to another for those in low socioeconomic status is higher, which makes it difficult for them to develop reliable and stable friendships and relationships which are crucial in facilitating emotional and social wellbeing (Bramlett & Blumberg, 2007). 5. Psychological and emotional issues 5.1 As earlier indicated, single mother families can be as a result of death, divorce, separation or merely because, the mother has never been married. A child in a single mother family as a result of divorce, death or separation can undergo various emotional and mental issues such as attachment issues, stress, insecurity and anxiety, which can lower the child’s self-worth, trust for others and causes hate, anger, self-doubt and depression (Leininger & Ziol-Guest, 2008). These emotional issues can be a basis for ill health if they are not effectively managed as echoed by Kokaua, et al., (2010). 5.2 Be it as it may, a child raised by a single mum is more likely to experience emotional closeness with the parent which can facilitate open communication, trusting and stable relationship which are crucial in helping them discuss essential health issues such as substance use, friendships and relationships and education (Ziol-Guest, 2008). Such discussions ensure a child makes suitable decisions regarding their health and lifestyle in general. 5.3 Generally, children from single parent families have registered poorer health reports and poorer behavior compared to children from other family structures such as two parent families as highlighted by PHIDU, (2012). It is important to note that the poor performance in health and in behavior is necessarily not due to the type of family structure but as a result of socioeconomic factors that influence their access to things that could enhance their overall wellbeing such as education, balanced foods, proper housing, employment and healthcare (Bramlett & Blumberg, 2007). 6. The impact of socioeconomic status on health of single parent families 6.1 Modern society in both developed and developing economies are undergoing varied changes that are characterized by changing social, cultural, financial, legal, ecological, economic and political forces that have contributed to the widening of the gap that exists between the rich and the poor where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer (AMA, 2010). In tandem with these changes is the gradual occurrence of gradient of established health inequalities among people with different socioeconomic statuses. As earlier indicated, single mother families are often in low socio economic class and they often experience the blunt of poor health and unhealthy behaviors such as substance abuse and poor diets associated with their socio economic status (Scharte & Bolte, 2012). Single mother families are prone to financial difficulties which transcends to lack of adequate access and use of quality social, educational and financial support that are enjoyed by other family structures such as the two parent set up, that have more support both financially, socially, economically from the two parents (Muir, et al., 2009). Children in single mother families who often are have lower socioeconomic status are prone to enhanced risks of varied challenges compared to other children, which impact on their academic performance, behavior, IQ, socio-emotional functioning, overall development, nutrition and overall wellbeing (Ziol-Guest, 2008). 6.2 Sufficient evidence shows the need for engaging both parents in offering primary care to children for their flourishing in their early and later years. This is because, the care they receive in their childhood influence their learning, way they associate to others, how they conduct themselves and their overall health as they grow up. 7. Recommendations As noted earlier, there exists a correlation between health for single parent families and their socioeconomic status. The poor performance on the overall health of children in single parent families particularly in single mother families is not necessarily due to the type of parenting or the person raising the children, but it is more so, the socioeconomic factors that influence how they live, which translates to their wellbeing and health as supported by Bramlett & Blumberg, (2007). Single mother families are at greater risk of facing financial difficulties, undergoing emotional and mental challenges and they may lack sufficient time required to spend time together, as the single parent busies themselves to fend for the family (Leininger & Ziol-Guest, 2008). As a result, they are more likely to be in low socioeconomic status and therefore have insufficient resources to afford their families quality education and healthcare, employment, proper nutrition and proper housing which all are basis for poor lifestyle and health choices owing to issues such as substance abuse, delinquency, poor academic performance and unemployment (AIHW, 2009). For this reason, 1. The government and other stakeholders need to be keen to develop and implement policies that seek to minimize health inequalities as a result of inequity in income distribution. Policies and health intervention measures must be aimed to benefit families within the various socioeconomic groups, paying greater emphasis to focusing on family structures that are at greater risk of poor health and poor growth outcomes as supported by (AMA, 2010). 2. Being in single parent families does not automatically spell doom on the health and wellbeing of the family members, but it make them prone to difficult situations that compromises on their overall wellbeing. Be it as it may, single mother families can raise well rounded and grounded individuals by establishing strong and reliable support systems, which can help build their self-confidence, self-efficacy and self-esteem that offer suitable anchor for the children (Scharte & Bolte, 2012). 3. Although single mother parenting is tasking, and children in two parent families are more likely to fare better, there should be closer engagement and responsibility between the community, the government, families and even employers. 4. The government and other stakeholders need to develop measures and policies that identify the evidence of substantial stress on families and address income distribution since this is the main element linked with health disadvantage (AMA, 2010). 5. Enhance access to healthcare for children and families in all family structures by providing quality, accessible, available, affordable and acceptable healthcare for all 6. Policies and interventions that aim to enhance the health and development outcomes of children in Australia must be sufficiently resourced such as home visits initiatives, parenting programs and community based health and education programs (AMA, 2010). References 1. AMA. 2010. Developmental health and wellbeing of Australia’s children and young people-revised 2010. Australian Medical Association. Accessed on 28th August, 2012 from http://ama.com.au/node/5488 2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2009. A Picture of Australia’s Children 2009. Cat. No. PHE112. Canberra. Accessed on 28th Aug 2012 from: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10704 3. Bramlett, M.D. & Blumberg, S.J. 2007. Family Structures and children’s physical and mental health. Health Affairs, Volume 26, No.2, pp 549-558 4. Chen, A. Y., & Escarce, J.J. 2006. Effects of Family Structure on Children’s Use of Ambulatory Visits and Prescription Medications. Health Services Research, 41 (5): 1895-1914. 5. Kokaua, T.M., Gerritsen, S., & Templeton, R. 2010. The health of children in sole-parent families in New Zealand: results of population based cross sectional survey. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Vol 34 no. 3, pp 274-280 6. Leininger, L.J. & Ziol-Guest, K.M. 2008. Reexamining the effects of family structure on chidlren’s access to care: the single father family. Health Services Research, 43(1Pt1), pp. 117-133, doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2007.00758.x 7. Muir K., Mullan K., & Powell A. 2009. State of Australia’s Young People: A Report on the Social, Economic, Health and Family Lives of Young People. Office for Youth, Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Sydney. Accessed on 28th Aug 2012 from: http://www.youth.gov.au/news.html#youngpeople 8. PHIDU. 2012. Fact Sheet number 7: Australia; Social Health Atlas series. PHIDU, Volume 1: Australia, pp 30-33. Accessed on 28th August 2012 from http://www.publichealth.gov.au/pdf/atlases/sha_aust_1999/factsheets/sha99_facts07_families.pdf 9. Scharte, M., & Bolte, G. 2012. Increased health risks of children with single mothers: the impact of socio-economic and environmental factors. European Journal of Public Health, 22(4), doi: 10.1093/eurpub/cks062 10. Ziol-Guest, K.M. 2008. Effects of family structure on children’s health and medical care: Focus on single-father families. New York: Harvard University. Accessed on 28th August 2012 from http://paa2008.princeton.edu/download.aspx?submissionId=80945 Read More