Single- parent families
By: Bri'Anna Chavis
Embedded Files
The Coronavirus pandemic has had a tremendous impact on everyone. It has not only affected children but the parents as well. It has affected the children due to them having to get their education virtually versus in person because of school closures. On the other hand it has impacted the parents, according to (Dubb et al., Single moms hit hard by economic impact of covid-19. June 23, 2020) they were and still are being forced to choose between their jobs and their children. Most single parents are faced with this decision because they cannot afford to place their child(ren) in daycare so they have to stay home, to also help with their education. Households with children are likely to have fallen behind on rent, mortgage, auto loans, and student loans(Armantier, Koşar, Pomerantz, & Klaauw, The disproportionate effects of covid-19 on households with children. August 13, 2020) . These parents have also had to make decisions in canceling events such as; vacations, big purchases, in-person health visits, having to possibly use emergency funds, etc. (Armantier, Koşar, Pomerantz, & Klaauw, The disproportionate effects of covid-19 on households with children. August 13, 2020) . They are also becoming short on money due to not working which has led to low food in their house causing the children to become hungry.
Learning Targets:
Describe how spiritual and mental health can be displaced during the pandemic
Explain how tough decisions are being made during the pandemic
Describe how patience and open-mindedness plays a role in everyday life and current situations
Target questions:
How has my interviewees' spiritual and mental health been tested during this pandemic?
What are some of the tough decisions she has had to make during the pandemic?
How have time- management and open-mindedness allowed her to grow during these difficult times?
At the conclusion of this essay:
Individuals will have a broad understanding of how Covid-19 HAS NOT ONLY AFFECTED THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND CERTAIN JOBS AROUND THEM BUT SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS AS WELL.
Mom-Montice( TL), Oldest Son Kryan (TR), and Youngest Kendal (B)
Kyran( TL) and Kendal( TR)
Montice(TL), Kyran( TR) and Kendal (B)
Who is my interviewee?
Montice Fenton who is a single mother of two young virtual learning children. She has been a single mother ever since her children were babies and when COVID-19 began it forced her to rethink her everyday life routine. Montice was a great pick for this topic because she has not only been forced to make an immediate change due to the pandemic, but her children are also at the age at which I will be teaching in the future.
How has her spiritual, mental, and emotional health been tested during this pandemic?
During the interview, Montice mentioned that her spiritual health was being thrown a whirlwind the most, due to having to make the tough decisions and beginning to wonder and question what she was doing wrong. Emotional health began to crawl to an all-time low due to not knowing what to do next in these uncertain times. questioning whether the next move will be the right or wrong choice. Having to balance being a single mother, making tough decisions, and attempting to maintain a stable job makes individuals feel as if they could always do more for their kids. According to my interviewee, "Relying on prayer and faith has gotten her through this pandemic more than anything."(M. Fenton, Personal communications, February 10, 2021)
What are some of the tough decisions she has had to make during the pandemic?
Being a single mother has always been difficult but with covid-19 taking place, Montice was forced to make tougher decisions. Making the decisions to continue her schooling, focusing on her career, or making sure her children remained focused as they began virtual education. She was also forced to choose between needed groceries and wanted. When it comes to a single-parent household there is only one income so sometimes her children aren't able to get things they want. According to my interviewee, she is upset because some individuals are able to receive assistance from the government while they are not working but she is hardworking and can't receive any assistance.
How have time-management and open-mindedness allowed her to grow during these difficult times?
Lastly, Montice mentioned time management and open-mindedness are very important. Learning to balance priority over wants is important with or without the pandemic. Being open to making last-minute decisions to help support the household is number one especially during an uncertain pandemic. The advice given was to " focus on the positive and try viewing the situation half full vs. half empty." (M. Fenton, Personal communications, February 10, 2021)
Conclusion:
Covid-19 has turned the world around tremendously. We all need to understand that the people around us aren't the only ones struggling, but there are many people who have been suffering from this pandemic. We could be the next generation teaching virtually because after the pandemic has begun to decrease some parents still will not allow their children to return to school. No mother or father should be forced to choose between their income, their dependents, and the education of their dependents. No matter what life throws at you, everything happens for a reason and you are only being prepared for bigger and better!
Multiple Choice Questions:
According to the paragraph(titled tough decisions) What is one of the tough decisions montice had to make being a single mother during covid?
A. whether to continue her schooling
B. to choose between needs and wants with groceries
C. Whether to focus on her job or her children's education
D. All of the above
What part of Montice's health was being tested during the pandemic?
A. Spiritual
B. Emotional
C. Mental
D. All of the above
The correct answer for both question 1 & 2 is D
References:
Brazil, A. (2020, August 13). The disproportionate effects of covid-19 on households with children. Retrieved February 05, 2021, from https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2020/08/the-disproportionate-effects-of-covid-19-on-households-with-children.html
Dubb, S., Dubb, S., McCambridge, R., McCambridge, R., Boswell, A., Costello, A., . . . Levine, C. (2020, June 24). Single moms hit hard by economic impact of covid-19. Retrieved February 05, 2021, from https://nonprofitquarterly.org/single-moms-hit-hard-by-economic-impact-of-covid-19/
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