Single Parenting: The Joys and Challenges with Shoshana Alexander, Mary Buckley and Conrad Levasseur

Product Description

More and more families in contemporary society consist of a single parent with one or more children–in fact, nearly a third of all American families. What are the unique characteristics, challenges and benefits of parenting without a partner? Alexander interviewed many single parents in all situations and economic circumstances. Here and in her book, In Praise of Single Parents (Houghton Mifflin 1994), she describes many aspects of her own and others’ experiences. Includes a poem by Levasseur and a song by Buckley. (Hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

Levasseur, author of several books of poetry including Single Parent Wilderness of the Nursery Room (Small Poetry Press 1994), and Buckley, feng shui consultant and Associate Producer of New Dimensions Radio, also speak of the advantages, difficulties and discoveries of parenting solo. Says Levasseur, “It enriched my capacity to deal with others in many other situations.”

Topics Explored in this Dialogue:

• The numbers and diversity of single-parent families
• A ritual for consciously choosing single parenthood
• Personal stories of single parenting
• The need for many “parents,” whatever the family configuration
• Being a single father in a world of single mothers
• The impediments to creating extended family
• Three things that help single parents most
• Some advantages of single parenting
• Why child-rearing should be a greater cultural priority

Host: Justine Willis Toms Interview Date: 5/31/1995