Abstract: The increasing prevalence of one-parent households and the necessity to study the effect of single parenting on children is evident. There have been numerous observable differences between children in single parent and two-parent households and one of most significant impairments is that of self-esteem. Self-esteem refers to an individual’s perception of self, their capabilities and worth. Divorce, separation, and widowhood disturb the family structure and during the fragile period of adolescence, the impacts are particularly severe.