Study finds kids of single mums (by choice) do just as well in life

A new study has found that children who are raised by a single mother (by choice) succeed as well in life as those who are raised by two parents.

The study, which was conducted in VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam by Mathilde Brewaeys, wanted to prove that it doesn't matter if you have two parents or one parent growing up. In fact, the study found there is no likelihood that children from a single mother (by choice) will develop behavioural disorders over children from a two-parent household. It also found no significant differences in their emotional involvement. According to The Daily Mail, the study compared 69 single mothers (by choice) with 59 mothers from a two-parent family who had children aged between 1 and 6. Commenting on the results she said:

“Children in both family types are doing well in terms of their well-being. Single-mothers-by-choice and their children benefit from a good social support network, and this should be emphasised in the counselling of women who want to have and raise a child without a partner."

Mathilde shared the results at the Annual Meeting of The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Geneva. She does suggest that issues may arise with the development of a child if there is strain between the parent and the child adding:

“However, it seems likely that any negative influence on child development depends more on a troubled parent-child relationship and not on the absence of a father. Single-mothers-by-choice knowingly make the decision to raise their child alone, in contrast to unintended single mothers."

Mathilde says that a good network is needed around parents for support and help when it's needed.