Written by Mary Kornegay, Relate Contributing Writer

(Photo by turnaroundsummer.com)

Single parenting is hard enough without the harrowing statistics floating around, the seemingly endless job hours and stressful bills and taxes. This generation of children has to face many obstacles parents can’t even begin to understand, and children of single parent families are often overlooked and can end up having emotional and behavioral problems.

Paul Hansen is the author of “Turnaround Summer,” a book that shows readers the effects on adolescent males when they are introduced to a strong male role model. Hansen knows firsthand what it means to have a reliable mentor in a child’s life.

“I lived this, and I speak from firsthand experience about the power of that turnaround summer,” Hansen said. “I was taken out in the wilderness and taught how to survive off the land. I didn’t realize about the conditions, about the fact that I was totally in for a surprise or, better yet, a shock about how survival in the wilderness takes place. That experience changed my life and paved the way for me to be successful in business and in life. It taught me what it really took to be a man, a husband and a provider.”

Children from single parent families are likely to encounter various problems later in life if they are neglected and disregarded. According to the National Center on Health Statistics, children without a father-type role model are 100 to 200 percent more likely to have emotional or behavioral problems. Young women without a father figure are 92 percent more likely to fail in their own marriages.

Hansen believes that mentoring is the key to keeping these children on a healthy path to adulthood. “Children in their formative years are looking for direction from an adult in their life,” Hansen said. “This guidance should preferably come from a parent, but the real qualification is that it be from someone who always listens closely, reinforces positive actions, and with guidance encourages kids to go beyond their comfort zone.”

Hansen continues, saying that 90 percent of crime statistics stem from people without a form of direction when they are growing up. Children need strong guidance in their lives, and mentoring is a necessary step for many children in single parent families.

Single parent families are faced with many challenges, especially in the recession. Parents are often forced to spend time away from their children, unwillingly neglecting their emotional needs. “Turnaround Summer” is an excellent read for those who may need a little push in the right direction regarding their children.

Be sure to check out this website for more information on this inspirational book.

Check out Debra Beck’s work for more information about healthy parent/child relationships.

Tags: child psychology, crime statistics, parental advice, parenting techniques, Paul Hansen, role models, single parenting, Turnaround Summer