The One-Parent Family in the 1980s: Perspectives and Annotated Bibliography 1978-1984

Marshall Fine was Assistant Professor of Family Studies, University of Guelph, Ontario.

Benjamin Schlesinger has produced an updated “completely new” book on the one-parent family. The book is divided into two main sections. The first contains five essay/literature reviews on various issues related to the one-parent family. One essay is written by Schlesinger and the others by colleagues in the family field. The second section contains a substantial annotated bibliography on a number of related and relevant issues.

The first essay in section one establishes the quantitative background of the one-parent family. Much of the information breakdown comes from Census Canada 1981. The information is useful in establishing a quantitative context for understanding the one-parent family. The second essay looks at issues regarding custodial parents. In particular, it focuses on a longitudinal study conducted in Toronto which primarily explores differences in children’s behavior toward custodial fathers and custodial mothers. Essay three reviews the research literature on single teenage Canadian mothers and includes, among other studies, work comparing “keepers” with “adopters.” Essay four is a detailed synthesis of the literature on single fathers who have child custody. The final essay is a comprehensive literature review of adult, child, and family adaptation following marital separation and divorce.

The annotated bibliography comprising section two appears quite extensive and covers a multitude of topics, such as one-parent families, children and divorce mediation, parenting after divorce, treatment and services regarding divorce, and children of non-married parents, to mention only a few. This section is quite useful for those wishing to locate the recent and relevant literature on the subjects.

Overall, the book represents an informative, useful, and up-to-date summary of the knowledge that has been amassed on one-parent families in Canada and the United States. The reader is able to assess what the latest research has discovered, and, in a number of essays, is also given helpful suggestions for areas where research seems needed. The book would be of use to researchers, educators, and therapists as well as to anyone wanting to know more about issues related to this family form.