This research paper will primarily explore the impact of African American single parent households on the children who live in these environments. This is a very important issue and more awareness is needed. Research has shown that single-parent households are one of many risk factors that can negatively affect a child's academic performance, emotional health, and social behavior. Although not all single-parent households are disadvantaged, the objective of his study is to better understand the problems and propose solutions. For example, more policies are needed to encourage fathers to pay child support. This alone will provide mothers with more money to help them raise their children better. I grew up in a single-parent home without having a good relationship with my father. Even though I lived with my mother, I was always around my grandparents, my aunts, my uncles and my cousins; and I never really hung out with my mom. I know that being in a single parent home has had an impact on my academic performance and my emotions. Do some children from single-parent families have difficulties related to studies, violence, self-esteem and emotions? You may be wondering how do I know that African American youth (from single parent homes) face these challenges? I know this because I too have experienced the same difficulties. Reports show that adolescents living in single-parent homes are more likely to drop out of high school (Ricciuti, 2004). If teenagers drop out of high school, they will have difficulty finding well-paying jobs and may become involved in criminal activities. I know teenagers who live only with their mothers and join gangs because of their stressful home environments. For example, a teenager sells drugs to help his mother pa...... middle of paper ...... "Have you ever been depressed?" of the 24 students who responded, 66.6% were depressed. Again, this data also correlates with research evidence that depression is one of the psychological problems of black children in a single-parent home. Third, when students were asked, “What were their average grades?” » of 38.8% were “A” and “B” students. This is somewhat contrary to some search results and consistent with other search results. Finally, to the question “Are you or a member of your family part of a gang?” » Of the 24 students surveyed, 72% answered “no,” but 47% personally knew someone who had been injured as a result of gang violence. Again, research on the social behavior of a child living in a single parent home, in which some children have difficulty adjusting socially or if they have been exposed to violent behavior at home, will also show this behavior..