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Are children raised in a one parent home more likely to exhibit disfunctionality in their adolesence and as adults than those raised in two parent household. How many of you all were raised by one parent and were there any long term issues on the absence of the other parent.

I for one was raised with two parents and through my work at one time with the Social Services and through life experiences i have seen that children in the inner city especially those who do not have a father figure in their lives tend to stray and follow through with peer pressure, sure it is not an absolute but strong male figure especially to young males in our culture can have a positive influence in their lives.

Just want to add that a parent do not necessarily have to live physically in the home to make a positive influence in shaping strong values , morals and positive outlook for their child(ren).

Circumstances do not always allow for traditional 2 parent household, which i think is always best. But we all know it does not happen all the time... However, a mother or father who has to raise their child in a single parent situation can and should allow the child to look to other sources for that role model that is lacking...
In a young man's life, a positive male role model is very very important and a young man can suffer in the long run when if he lacks that positive male figure while growing up... Like you said Karma, that positive male role model does not have to be in the home, an uncle, a neighbor, an older brother, an older male friend can fill in for that male role model.
Same thing with a young lady... Many over look the need for male role models in a young woman's life... when a young woman Sees positive males (men who are responsible, men who treat women with respect, men who are monogomous) she seeks and expects those same traits in the men she wants to pursue relationships with... Young women who lack positive male role models tend not to be able to identify these traits in the men they date and the result is a series of bad relationships... Next thing she takes the attitude that all men are dogs or men are no good....
Boys also need to see a positive female role model.. Being around a positive woman means that he won't take woman for granted in the long run and realize that they are not just a piece of ass...
Having both mother and father in the home almost assures that the child will be exposed to both..

As was stated, these positive role models don't always have to be fathers and mothers in the home... or even if parents are separated, both parents can still be a strong influence...
Also, Positive influences can be found in the family and community...

HornaMan4Hire, sounds like you were reading Hillary Clinton's book called "It takes a village."

Without going into details, history/statistics has shown that a child that is raised by both parents is better rounded than a child from a single parent background.

Nah never read it.... Did Hillary talk about the same things i touched on?? If so Hillary must be speaking from first hand experience about a female lacking positive male role models leading into troubled relationships with men later on in life..
LOL

That was a low blow...lol.. Bill Clinton is the best thing that has happened to Black America...lol

LMAO

I beg to differ, but that politics is a whole other post

Well the man did his share more than any of the since maybe Jimmy Carter.....

Karma, I am glad u said that it is not always the case that children raised in single parents home turn out dysfunctional.

What I am about to say is from experience: I was raised in a single family home My dad died when I was 3 so I never knew a father figure as such, but I did and still do have uncles that filled that spot and showed me how a woman is supposed to be treated and what to look for in a good man, as well as what it takes to make a marriage work (o.k i failed that part of the lesson I an divorced LOL)

Anyway my mother raised 8..yes eight kids 4 males, 4 females and no one ended up on crack, selling drugs, ah gang banger as they call it these days, those of us who wanted to go to higher education she did her best in that department, because she only made it to 3rd grade level.

As far as the role models, they are a vital part of raising kids and I try to provide that for my kids, in the absence of their father (lives in another state) so reguardless of the situation strong parenting and the ability to see that something is lacking in the lives of your children and doing your best to provide it is what makes the difference. Being a single parent, male or female is one job that is not for the faint of heart..........:)

And those are my 4 cents.