1. Does Living in a Single-parent Household effect social Development Jacob Stevison University of Cincinnati stevisjl@mail.uc.edu Introduction The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect living in a single parent household has on the social development of an adolescence. Background Literature With the divorce rate at nearly 40%, there is a significant amount of children with only one parent on the home. This is not the only way children can live in a single-parent home. Some parents die when the child is at a young age. There is also the possibility of a child being born out of wedlock. These are ways children can be placed in a single-parent home but they don’t answer the question how the social development of adolescence is effected. Parents are vital in the development of an adolescence. During this time adolescence are developing autonomy from their parents. Parent-child relation is the number one predictor of mental health as well. With these being known how will the child be effected when only half of what is considered “normal” is there? Identity vs. Role Confusion- In Erikson’s theory, the psychological conflict of adolescence, which is resolved positively when adolescents attain an identity after a period of exploration and inner soul-searching Methods Research Question What influence on living in a single- parent household have on social development? Professional Implications As a teacher sometimes you will be the only positive adult in a students life. This put a lot of pressure on teachers to be good role models to students. The same goes with students of single- parents. As a male, I know that some of my kids will grow up without a father around. They will look to me and their other teachers for the formula of what being a responsible man looks like in our society. With the research I’ve done I will be able to easier spot the struggles that a child living in a single-parent household might have. Noticing these earlier will help me be proactive in helping students with any issues they have. References 1.Mackey, B., & Mackey, W. C. (2012). FATHER PRESENCE AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT: DAD AS A CATALYST FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS. Education, 133(1), 139-150. 2.Vecek, A., Vidović, V., Milicić, J., Spoljar-Vrzina, S., Vecek, N., & Arch- Vecek, B. (2009). Biological aspects of the development and self-concept in adolescents living in single-parent families. Collegium Antropologicum, 33(3), 873-877 Results Throughout my time at these football games I noticed a lot about how students’ action are different depending on who is around. I observed the students as they were in the student section. When they were there I noticed that they were much more aware of the opposite sex compared to when the parents are around. The varying behaviors of students make me wonder how living in a single-parent home is influencing them at all. When the parents are not around the child’s behavior becomes a bit more promiscuous. This is because at this time there is no parent influence affecting the child’s behavior. Noticing these things I then asked a few friends about what living in a single-parent home was like. I got many differing ways that my friends were effected. Some said that they were scarred from relationships because of their parents failed marriage. Others said that they saw dating as something not very harmful because they saw their parent in many short relationships. My interviewing of my friends shows that living in a single-parent household does effect social development. But it is completely circumstantial. It isn't something that can be the same for all adolescence. All I can say is that it does effect social development and it all depends on the parent and the child and the relationship they have. Why I Chose This Topic I grew up living with only my mother. I was wondering how that influenced me and my development. I chose this topic because I have experienced it. I felt picking something that I connected with make it easier to motivate my research. The setting that i decided to do my observation hours at is a couple football games at Kings high school football stadium.Kings is northwest of Cincinnati and is located in Warren county. Kings is a middle class community that is 95% Caucasian. So most people would describe kings as a bunch of rich white kids. But for the most part it is your normal high school. The parents come to watch the games. There is a student section just like any other high school. The middle school students all congregate behind the stands. All in all Kings is your average high school when it come to football games. As far as it goes for the people that attend the games. Basically everyone in the community attends these games. Kings football is life in Kings. Although the team isn't very good the are treated as if they rule the school. I would relate it to the TV show Friday Night Lights. It just seems this way because of the amount of support that the football team receives. I've never seen a school where football is seen as such a wonderful thing throughout the community. When the Knights win there is a definite change in the mood of the entire community compared to when they loose.