A new study suggests that children who grow up in stable single parent families do just as well academically and behaviorally as children in two parent families. Those children who grew up without having their parents go through divorce or having other major changes in the family fared just as well children in stable two parent families.

However, there are some advantages for children growing up in two parent families. In black families, children were more successful in two parent families than single parent families.

The study showed that for white and Hispanic children, there was no difference in reading and math test scores for children from stable single parent families compared to those from two parent families. However, black children had lower test scores if they lived in a single parent household even if it was stable. There was no difference in behavioral problems, regardless of race. The only advantage for children of all races in married households was better cognitive stimulation and emotional support.

Based on the findings of this study, single mothers should be very careful about getting married or moving in with a man. This kind of transition can be very difficult for children and creates instability.