Success of a “Family”

February 4, 2010  
Filed under Opinion

Growing up can be tough for anyone. Everyone experiences rough times during the adolescence stage of life. These difficult periods can be caused by many different factors. Families may have the largest effect on an individual. Although there are many benefits to having a traditional family, single-parent families, split families and adoptive families are equally as successful.

It has been predicted that half of all American children born in the 1990s will spend some part of their childhood in single-parent homes. Many children only live with one parent on a regular basis. They may not know the other parent, or they may choose not to associate with the other parent. In either case, the child can be affected by not having that other parental figure in their lives. Extended family members, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, often have a closer relationship with the child when this occurs. They serve as a sort of replacement for the missing parent and help the child cope with that relationship gap. Success can be affected by a family but not always by the parents. Barack Obama was raised by a single mother and he is now the president of the United States of America.

Although divorce continues to climb at an alarming rate, some children like it better that way. Tension in the home from parents fighting constantly can be worse for a child to watch than dealing with divorce. Split families may have their complications but they have several benefits as well. Children often enjoy having two houses, two Christmases and twice as many toys. Split families are often referred to as blended families. In this situation there is the occasional “evil step-parent”, but often, step parents can benefit a child. They can provide extra love and encouragement that some children do not otherwise receive.

Famous country music star, Faith Hill was adopted when she was only days old. Now she is known all over the world. Many people feel sorry for those who are adopted because they may never know who their biological parents are. Although being adopted after being put in a foster home is different from being adopted as an infant, success is still achievable. Adoption allows for a better life for an individual whose parents may not have been able to properly care for them. Michael Ohr just had a movie made about his life and his football career, The Blind Side. He was taken in and adopted when he was nearly 18. Now he is a famous football player.

Although family and background have a lot to do with who we are, success can be achieved by anyone. It does not matter the type of family or the amount of money the family has. Everyone is affected by many different things in many different ways. A child with both parents may be successful. A child who was adopted or who has a single parent can be successful as well. Both children, in fact, could also not be successful. Success lies in the determination and will power to achieve greatness.

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Extended_family>.

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/13-famous-people-who-were-adopted2.htm>.

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Abby New

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