Influence of single-parent families on children’s development
The Role of the Family in Ecological Education

Summary/Abstract: Growing up in a single-parent family has become a very common phenomenon in contemporary environment. Nowadays families are more quarrelsome than they used to be and more susceptible to disintegration or breakdown. Simultaneously it may be remarked that rules and patterns of family life applicable so far are liable to transformations. The hitherto family model, based on sacramental marital union of woman and man, is no longer unique in our society. Long ago families in which a divorce occurred were not approved by the other family members or neighbours. Currently we can point out that such a family in which the married couple separated arouses less interest and curiosity. The number of couples deciding to divorce increases as well. No one, however, wonders what happens with the child who is the witness of these events and what influence they have on him or her. Also departures abroad of one or both parents to earn a living or improve the financial conditions have become very fashionable. In a situation when one parent leaves the country, his or her absence may cause loneliness of other family members and diminishing the relationship between the spouses and children. In case of both parents leaving the country, children are often left in the care of grandparents or aunts, or they are left alone if adult enough. Nevertheless, particularly difficult situation affect families experienced by the death of a parent. Death of a close person is an extremely traumatic experience for each family member, but mainly for a child it is especially painful and negative. That is why we should not leave the child alone, we should be with him or her in this difficult time of their life.

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