National Single Parent Day is observed on March 21st to commemorate the hard-working mothers and fathers who parent their children without a partner. It’s a day to remember that single parents work hard and sacrifice to ensure their children have a high standard of living.

This is the perfect day for all of us to show our appreciation for their hard work, devotion, and sacrifice.

The History of National Single Parent Day

The true roots of National Single Parent Day can be traced back to the mid-1980s. In 1984, Janice Moglen wrote an article suggesting the creation of a holiday for single parents. Janice, along with the organization Parents Without Partners, started a petition to have a Single Parent’s Day holiday officially declared in the U.S.

The day chosen for the holiday was March 21st—the day Parents Without Partners was established in 1957. Eventually, Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5166, declaring March 21, 1984, as National Single Parent Day.

Facts About Single-Parent Households

As we continued our research for this holiday, we came across some facts about single-parent households that we’d like to share. Below are some of the most important ones. These statistics indicate just a small fraction of the challenges faced by single mothers and fathers in the U.S. and around the world.

• Approximately 25% of children in the U.S. are raised in single-parent households.
• In 2000, approximately 30% of babies born in the U.S. were born to single mothers.
• A third of all single-parent households live in poverty.
• Single-parent households headed by women account for 12.1% of all U.S. households.
• Single-parent households headed by men account for 2.3% of all U.S. households.
• The average age of a single parent is approximately 39 years old.
• Single fathers are more likely to be cohabiting than single mothers.
• Loneliness is a serious issue facing single parents.
• It can be more difficult for single parents to discipline their children than it is for couples.
• Parents can be single not only due to divorce but also due to death or incarceration.
• Children are 50% more likely to suffer from health problems following their parents’ divorce.
• Children of divorce report greater instances of speech defects and headaches.

Observing National Single Parent Day

Probably the best way to celebrate National Single Parent Day is to take the time to show your support for a single parent you know. This can be a word of encouragement, telling them that you’re proud of what they’re doing, or simply offering assistance if they need it.

It’s also a good day to use the hashtag #NationalSingleParentsDay on your social media platforms to raise awareness of this holiday and enlighten people about the challenges single parents face every day.