FEMALE-HEADED FAMILIES: EFFECTS ON CHILDREN AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS*

The social psychological research pertaining to female-headed families published between 1970–1980 is reviewed. The literature indicates that theoretically children do not need the presence of the same-sex/opposite-sex parents in the family in order to develop sex-role behavior. Children in female-headed families are likely to have good emotional adjustment, good self-esteem except when they are stigmatized, intellectual development comparable to others in the same socioeconomic status, and rates of juvenile delinquency comparable to others in the same socioeconomic status. In light of these findings, suggestions are made for counseling women who head families.