The Church and Single Parenting in Africa

Abstract

Single parenting involves a sole parent who cares for children without the help of the other parent. The challenge of single parenting has negative effects on parents and the children alike. The death of a spouse, divorce, wars desertion, rape, sexual harassment and violent crisis are factors for this debacle. In such situation, the remaining parent not only inherits the responsibilities of the missing parent, but also takes custody of their children, in addition to his/her own roles as father or mother. Marriage ought to be imbibed as a standard for a godly society. Single parenting is not a thing to joke with or take with levity because of its scorching heat on both parents and children. Without mincing words, this phenomenon is eating deep into the African society; this makes the response of the Church logical. The study posits that it is important for African Christians to understand the biblical stance concerning marriage; so that intentional act of single parenting can be curbed.