Teachers' perceptions of behavior problems in children from intact, single-parent, and stepparent families

Abstract

This study examined differences in the incidence of behavior problems between children living with both natural parents and those in single-parent or in stepparent families. Subjects were 3,644 white children in kindergarten through eighth grade; 2,991 were living with both of their own parents; 312 with mother only; 43 with father only; 264 with mother and stepfather; and 34 with father and stepmother. Teachers provided background information and Behavior Problem Checklist ratings on the youngsters. Compared to children from intact homes, those living with mother only had more problems checked on all five scales of the checklist; those with father only, more Socialized Delinquency; those with mother and stepfather, more Conduct Problems and Socialized Delinquency; and those with father and stepmother, more Conduct Problems. Interactions were found for sex, social class, and grade in school.

The contextual nature of the family structure/delinquency relationship

“…Most studies suggested that high SES nontraditional families were more criminogenic; however, two classic studies by Touliatos and Lindholm (1980), and Goldstein (1984), as well as a more recent analysis by Hay, Forston, Hollist, Altheimer, and Schaible (2006), disputed these findings. Moreover, Kierkus and Baer (2003) found negligible evidence that the family structure/delinquency relationship varied according to SES.…”

“…For instance, while some studies discovered that familial disruption was more stigmatizing in high SES settings, and consequently was more likely to be associated with antisocial behavior (Austin, 1978;Flewelling & Bauman, 1990;Johnstone, 1978;Rosen, 1985), others found that disruption was most criminogenic in low SES families because poor single parents were less able to provide the basic necessities of life for their children (Goldstein, 1984;Touliatos & Lindholm, 1980). Similarly, while certain authors (Austin, 1978;Bachman & Peralta, 2002;Wilkinson, 1980) reported that girls were more adversely affected by familial disruption than boys (because females were more "family oriented" than males), others (Canter, 1982;Dornbusch et al, 1985;Peterson & Zill, 1986;Schwartz, 2006) found that the process was more criminogenic for males.…”

Attitudes of early adolescents toward single-parent and stepparent families: imiplications for home economics curriculum

“…Images of single-parent and stepparent families (Johnson, 1980;Lutz, 1980;Swihart & Brigham, 1982) and acceptance of single-parent and step parent families (Chng & Gray, 1983;Hetherington, 1981;Lombana, 1983;Touliatos & Lindholm, 1980 (Hetherington, 1979;Johnson, 1980, Lutz, 1980Swihart & Bingham, 1982). In some cases, this image is verifiable, but there are other cases in which it may be questionable.…”

“…With regard to acceptance of single-parent and stepparent families, research indicates that family forms are accepted more positively by family members (DiSibio, 1981;Furstenberg et al, 1983;Visher & Visher, 1979) than by their peers (Chng & Gray, 1983;Santrock, Warshak, & Meadows, 1981;Touliatos & Lindholm, 1980;Weiss, 1981). In addition, school personnel and society in general accept these family forms negatively (Drake & Shellenberger, 1980;Lombana, 1983;Swihart & Brigham, 1982).…”

“…For example, Touliatos and Lindholm (1980) found that youngsters living with fathers only and with mothers and stepfathers exhibited more conduct problems and socialized delinquency than did their peers in intact families. Several researchers (Kalter & Rembar, 1981;Schoettle & Cantwell, 1980;Touliatos & Lindholm, 1980) have reported that children from "disrupted" homes manifest behavioral problems, such as conduct, bizarre behavior, and coopera tive stealing. Jenkins argues, however, that coping with singleparenthood and the inherent problems created are compounded by the shift in the family's economic status which may occur.…”