When a parent becomes the sole parent in the household, they are more focused on their work and don't always pay much attention to their children. This is a mistake they make because parents need to understand that they are the first role model for their children. Chances are that what children see their parents doing is what they will think is the right thing to do when they grow up. If children don't get the attention they need, they begin to think that their parents don't love them enough. This can affect children mentally and emotionally, as they try to find answers to why their parents aren't spending as much time on them. When single parents enter into new relationships, they may focus more on their new partner and put their children aside. Sometimes stepparents can be violent towards their children and even towards their partners. They can be manipulative and make their partners and stepchildren feel like they are not good enough. This is when abuse becomes part of their lives and parents and children tend to believe everything they are told. When girls grow up without a father, they don't have a male figure in their lives. They don't know exactly how a man should treat them, which confuses girls. As they grow up, this can lead them to become involved in abusive relationships. When girls grow up without a mother, they sometimes become pregnant very young because they do not have a female figure to teach them what is right and wrong. Girls are generally closer to their mothers since women are often more understanding and kind towards their children. When boys grow up without a father figure, they don't know what is right and wrong. Without a father figure, boys risk turning to a bad male figure. When boys grow up without mothers, they believe that as men they