Single+Mothers+&+Stress

= __**Single Mothers and Stress**__ = = =

**__Thesis Statement__**
Single mothers experience excessive stress resulting from the needs to financially provide for their families, all the while caring for the home, working full-time, going to school, and being a parent.

__**Research Questions**__

 * 1) What is the stress level of a single mother compared to a mother who has a partner?
 * 2) What affect does stress have on single mothers and their children?
 * 3) What amount of work do single mothers lose as a result of stress?
 * 4) What can single mothers do to reduce stress?

__**Research Process Relfection**__
I have used many different databases, catalogs, and other search tools in researching single mothers and stress. Thus far, I have used Academic Search Complete, OhioLink, Google, Yahoo, and Opposing View Points. My most effective search strategy has been using OhioLink because it has given me the most accurate and helpful information by searching through different databases to find articles based on my specific topic. I also think it is helpful because you are able to break it down into research articles or opinionated articles. There are so many different ways in OhioLink to search for what you are exactly looking for. My least effective strategy was using search engines such as Google and Yahoo because when I would search for my keywords, it would not only bring up things related to my keywords, but it brought up many ads. It also was not able to give me many research articles based on my topics; therefore I will continue using OhioLink when researching a specific topic.

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__**Topic Introduction**__
There are more single mothers in today's society than there has ever been. One of the biggest reasons for this is that divorce is being more accepted around the world, as opposed to decades ago when divorce was frowned upon. The increase in single mothers is also due to couples not getting married before having children, having conflicts, and splitting up. Usually in the case of a mother and father splitting up, the mother is usually the one that ends up with custody of the kids, causing the mom much stress. The stress comes from her being the only one caring for the children, doing the cleaning and cooking and other household duties, working full-time, going to school, and having time for their children. All the stress eventually builds up and the single mothers need to learn more on how to deal with this stress. There has been many studies done on single mothers and how they can relieve stress in a good manner because there has been cases where the mothers may go over the edge and harm themselves or their children. Single mothers need that extra set of hands to help regain control and be the parent they want to be.

__**Annotated Bibliography**__
Hughes, Zondra. "Working Moms Who Make It Work." //Ebony// 59.7 (2004): 88-92. //Gender Studies Database//. Web. 28 Nov. 2011.

This article was based on single mothers who are doing what they can to juggle between a stressful job, while being able to enjoy time with their families. It mainly focus' on African American mothers who are single: from being divorced, husbands went to jail, or husbands passed away. It shows how single mothers are successful in navigating the challenges of single parenthood while building or maintaining a career. It has some great stories of two women, Roxanne Battle and Denise Jordan Walker who are single mothers that are "going above and beyong to keep the tradition of excellence alive." It also focused on how all single mothers have the burden of financially being able to support their children, without getting their child support from the father. They go in detail about how much they go through just trying to get the child support, that they just give up and do it on their own and make it work. In the end, single mothers make it work whether they have the support financially, emotionally, and socially, or if they have no support at all.

Krakow, Eve. "Single Moms Need Support!." //Bulletin Of The Centre Of Excellence For Early Childhood Development// 6.1 (2007): 4. //Gender Studies Database//. Web. 28 Nov. 2011.

In this article, Krakow researches the effects of community programs that reach out to single mothers. The research shows that there has been a significant improvement in the single mother's self-esteem, mood, and stress levels. It shows that although many single mothers are struggling not only with raising their children, but juggling the finances, school (if the mother is attending school), household chores, dinner, and most single mothers work full-time. All of the contributing factors lead to high levels of stress and even depression, which puts the children at risk for depression or other behavioral or emotional problems, academic failure, and social difficulties. The study found that although the outreach programs increase the moods and self-esteem of the single mothers, it doesn't help them with their social support or financial support, but allows the family to be a little more at peace, and less stressed.

Purvis, Patty. "Single Parenting." //CRS - Pediatric Advisor// (2010): 1. //Health Source - Consumer Edition//. Web. 28 Nov. 2011.

This article researched in general single parenting and the effects on the children and the parent rasing the children. Although it wasn't foucsed on the mothers, it was able to give information needed for a specific research paper. According to Patty Purvis, "A single parent is a parent who raises a child without another parent in the same household. Single parenthood may be a result of loss, such as a divorce, prison, or the death of a spouce, or by choice, such as adoption or artificial insemination." It focuses on how no matter how you became a single parent or whether you are a male or female, doesn't matter as long as you are setting your priorities first.

**__Related Links__**
[|The Stress of Single Mothers and its Effect on Quality Child Care] []

__[|Single Mom Survives]__ __[]__ __[|10 Ways to Reduce Single-Parent Stress]__ []

[|Common Causes of Stress for Mothers] []

[|New Start for Single Moms] []