A single-parent family is one where a child is raised by only one parent.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to a family with only one parent.
- Formed by divorce, death, or other reasons.
- A common modern family structure.
常见语境：常出现在学校调查表、社会福利申请、心理咨询报告以及关于家庭教育的媒体讨论中。例如，“老师在了解学生的家庭状况时，会特别关注单亲家庭的孩子。”
- 1近义词比较：与其相对应的是“核心家庭”（Nuclear family，指父母双方与子女）或“完整家庭”（Complete family）。虽然“单亲家庭”描述的是一种客观状态，但在使用时应避免带有歧视性或同情的刻板印象，应将其视为一种正常的家庭形态。
Examples
他从小在单亲家庭长大。
everydayHe grew up in a single-parent family.
学校为单亲家庭的学生提供了心理辅导。
formalThe school provides psychological counseling for students from single-parent families.
虽然是单亲家庭，但妈妈给了我双倍的爱。
informalAlthough it's a single-parent family, my mom gave me double the love.
该研究探讨了单亲家庭对儿童社会化的影响。
academicThe study explores the impact of single-parent families on child socialization.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
单亲妈妈
single mother
单亲爸爸
single father
单亲家长
single parent
Often Confused With
An orphan (孤儿) has lost both parents, whereas a single-parent family implies one parent is still present and active in the child's life.
This focuses on the marital status of the parents. While many divorced families are single-parent, they are not strictly synonymous.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term is neutral and widely used in both formal and informal contexts. It is important to avoid using it in a way that implies a deficit or failure. In formal writing, it is preferred to focus on the socio-economic context.
Common Mistakes
Some learners confuse 'single-parent' with 'only child'. Remember that 'single-parent' refers to the number of parents, not the number of children in the family.
Tips
Use neutral and respectful language
When discussing single-parent families, focus on the needs of the child rather than the marital status of the parents. This shows empathy and professional maturity.
Avoid using it as a label
Do not define a child solely by their family structure. It is a descriptive term, not an indicator of a child's character or potential.
Changing cultural perceptions in China
Traditional Chinese culture emphasized the 'complete family' model. However, modern society is increasingly accepting diverse family forms.
Word Origin
The term is a modern compound word. '单' means single, '亲' refers to parent, and '家庭' means family, reflecting the evolution of social structures.
Cultural Context
In China, the traditional family structure was multi-generational. Single-parent families were historically less common and sometimes carried a social stigma, but this has shifted significantly in recent decades.
Memory Tip
Think of '单' (single) + '亲' (parent) + '家庭' (family). It literally describes a household with one parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions研究表明，家庭的和谐程度比家庭结构更重要。只要给予足够的关爱和支持，单亲家庭的孩子同样能健康成长。
不完全一样。“单亲”描述的是家庭结构状态，而“离异”描述的是婚姻关系破裂。离异后的家庭可能成为单亲家庭，但也可能通过再婚转为重组家庭。
通常不建议直接询问。如果必须提及，可以使用“由一方家长抚养”等更委婉的说法。
随着观念进步，歧视现象已大幅减少，但部分传统观念仍可能存在，社会支持系统正在不断完善。
Test Yourself
由于父母离异，小明生活在一个___中。
根据题干中“父母离异”的背景，最符合的词是单亲家庭。
单亲家庭是指：
单亲家庭的核心定义是家长数量为一。
请选出最通顺的句子：
选项C语法正确且表达自然。
Score: /3
Summary
A single-parent family is one where a child is raised by only one parent.
- Refers to a family with only one parent.
- Formed by divorce, death, or other reasons.
- A common modern family structure.
Use neutral and respectful language
When discussing single-parent families, focus on the needs of the child rather than the marital status of the parents. This shows empathy and professional maturity.
Avoid using it as a label
Do not define a child solely by their family structure. It is a descriptive term, not an indicator of a child's character or potential.
Changing cultural perceptions in China
Traditional Chinese culture emphasized the 'complete family' model. However, modern society is increasingly accepting diverse family forms.
Examples
4 of 4他从小在单亲家庭长大。
He grew up in a single-parent family.
学校为单亲家庭的学生提供了心理辅导。
The school provides psychological counseling for students from single-parent families.
虽然是单亲家庭，但妈妈给了我双倍的爱。
Although it's a single-parent family, my mom gave me double the love.
该研究探讨了单亲家庭对儿童社会化的影响。
The study explores the impact of single-parent families on child socialization.
