Definition of a Single Parent

A single parent family is a family where there is only one parent and one or more children living together in a home atmosphere, versus a family that has two parents living in the home. Married couples, at times, may find themselves in the role of a single parent if the other parent is away from the home for an extended period of time due to work, military duty, or imprisonment. Basically it one parent having to serve a dual-parent role, that of both mother and father to a child or children in the extended or permanent absence of the other parent.