The Northmen's Log - Issue 2, December 2019 by The Northmen's Log

TNL The Northmenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Log Kansas City, MO Issue 2, Volume 55 October 2019

Should parents track their kids? read pages 8-9

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nkcschools.org. Letters cannot exceed 350 words and must be signed. “Log” will not run letters that are libelous, obscene, or that may cause a verifiable disruption to the education process at Oak Park. Advertisers may contact the adviser at christina.geabhart@nkcschools.org for more information. Subscriptions are available at $20 for a mailed copy, $10 for an emailed PDF version, and $25 for both. Opinions expressed in “Log” do not reflect student, staff, or district endorsements of that opinion, product or service. “Log” is a member of MIPA, NSPA, and Quill and Scroll. “Log” is affiliated with JEA, MJEA, and JEMKC.

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“The Northmen’s Log” will publish four times during the school year. “Log” staff strongly supports the First Amendment and opposes censorship. Freedom of expression and press are fundamental values in a democratic society. Therefore, “Log” encourages readers to participate in the discussion by submitting Letters to the Editor in Room E134 or by email to christina.geabhart@

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Lindsey Dunaway, Editor-in-Chief Ivonee Morales-Meija, Copy Editor Emily Byrum, Photo Editor Luka Ashton, Staffer Parker Bensyl, Staffer Haydenn Gallagher, Staffer Nathan Nance, Staffer Elayna Rodriguez, Reporter Kayleonah Trumble, Staffer Christina Geabhart, Adviser

Publication information

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Staff

We decided to do a mental health spread this issue because it’s a problem that has risen over the years; and it needs more awareness. We also decided to do a feature on off-campus programs offered in the district to bring more knowledge to them. Lastly, we featured a Journalism 1 reporter’s story to shine light on single-parent households and the effects they can have on a child’s life. If you have any questions and/or concerns, please talk to us in room E134. Thank you.

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Hey Oak Park. I’m Lindsey Dunaway and I’m the Editor-in-Chief of “The Northmens Log” and I’m super excited to bring you the second issue this year! On our cover this issue, we have a feature on whether or not parents should be able to track their kids with apps like Life 360 and Bark. We chose this as our cover story because currently, it’s a very popular debate amongst teens and parents. To get in the spirit for the holidays, we decided to do two full spreads over different family traditions and places to go over break.

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Letter from the editor

Table of contents 12/9/19 8:54 PM

Feature // Byrum

photo courtesy of Kaitlyn McCanless

Switching up the meaning by Photo Editor Emily Byrum and Copy Editor Ivonee Morales- Mejia

Egg Nog. Trees. Gifts. Cookies. Candles. Annual traditions can range from family to family. “One thing we do that I feel like is dying out is we go and cut down a real Christmas tree every year, and hang out and decorate it,” said junior David Bartlett. The Bartlett family usually goes to Fulk’s Tree Farm in Platte City, Mo. It takes about 20 minutes to get there. “At Fulk’s Tree Farm, they’ve got some cool like old tractors and old trucks out there that you get to see when you go and then you can do a tractor ride to get to the trees,” said Bartlett. Generally, it takes the family about an hour to pick out the tree, cut it down, and load it up. Everyone de45Holiday.indd All Pages

cides on which one the family wants, and then one cuts it down. Other families have their own way of bonding during this season. “We do a Saran Wrap ball of everything, just random things, and you have to take tongs or oven mitts and you have to get as much Saran Wrap as you can before the times up, and then you have to pass it to the next person,” said sophomore Jo Correia. The idea came from Pinterest one year. “What happened was, I had five seconds left and I took the tongs, I picked up the ball and threw it and it went all over the place, and it unraveled through the entire living room, and that was the end of it,” said Correia. Typically the Correias go to Cimarron, Kan., for the holidays, which is a six-hour road trip. From playing games to going on road trips, families take time over the extended holiday breaks to travel

and connect with one another. “At Christmas, I go out to Ohio to visit my stepmom and my dad. We open gifts and play Cards against Humanity,” said senior Kaitlyn McCanless. “I’ll fly and I’ll most likely have a stop in Atlanta, then switch planes and go from Atlanta to Ohio.” Spending time with family means the world to some people. Having the majority of the Jones family here makes it easy for everyone to gather for holidays. Typically, senior Kelcie Jones’ parent host it at their house. “I don’t see my family very often, so like it brings my family together,” said senior Kelcie Jones. “And we all know it’s like, oh, Christmas is coming around and we can’t skip out on those Christmas tacos. “The tradition started when I was eight, and then when I turned 10, both of my grandparents had some medical issues and started to go down hill, so I feel like it is best to soak up the time while you can.”

photo courtesy of Shannon Bartlett

Yet when some families gather, friendly competition can happen. Going out to the farm with the McCoys, there is more space to run around and spread out. It all started by seeing who the strongest cousin might be. “We have a cousin-athon, it is where we do certain challenges to compete against the cousins and whoever wins, gets the last piece of chicken or whatever,” said freshman Amelia McCoy. Sometimes it is a gift, or cake, or something of that nature. The McCoys tend to go to Kearney, Mo., to a family member’s home. In addition to their cousin-athon, they sometimes go fishing and hunting, or play on the slip and slide. Many holidays around this time of year include indulging in lots of yummy food. “We have Christmas tacos and Christmas enchiladas. My grandpa came up with the idea seven years

photo courtesy of Kaitlyn McCanless

ago,” said Jones. “My grandpa loves tacos and so does a few other people in my family, and my grandpa just wanted something different.” Whether it is savory or sweet, many students have a special food they enjoy. The recipe has been passed down for generations. “We make magic cookie bars. They are graham crackers, chocolate chips, butterscotch, coconut flakes, and sweetened condensed milk,” said freshman Jamie Hastings. The Hastings gather at their family members’ house to celebrate the beginning of their holiday season. “They [magic cookie bars] are really sweet, the first time I tried them I remember spitting it out because it was so sweet,” said Hastings. Gifts mean something different to everyone. The look on peoples’ face is more than enough. “I saw the look on their faces after I gave them a gift, and it was just then, I kind of realized that being

thoughtful is more. It’s better than having other people be thoughtful for you because it’s better to get that satisfaction of knowing you’re making others happy,” said senior Emily Witter. “As I’ve grown up, I’ve started to realize that it’s less about getting gifts and more about getting gifts for others.” Not all gifts come in boxes. Praying is part of the Nguyen family rituals. “We give out red envelopes, as a sign of good luck, and they will often have money in it,” said sophomore Christina Nguyen, when sharing about her family celebration of Lunar New Year. The house is decorated in red and gold, since those are lucky colors. “We drive to a lantern festival, and then we go out to dinner afterwards,” said Nguyen.

12/9/19 8:32 PM

Entertainment // Trumble

There is Snow time to waste

Tis the season

Worlds of Fun Winterfest is open for the second season by Staffer Kayleonah Trumble

Winterfest was very pretty, there were lights and trees everywhere making it a winter wonderland with all of the decorations and activities. We enjoyed ourselves. My friends and I even wrote a letter to Santa. When I went, there weren’t many people there because it was cold. It was 25 degrees out and by the time I was leaving my face and legs were frozen and numb. It took until after I dropped people off and I had been home for at least 30 minutes in the heat until I could feel my legs again. There were many rides opened like Autobahn bumper cars, the Bamboozler, Cyclone Sams, Fjord Fjarlane, the taxis, carousel, Mustang Runner, the Prowler, the Scrambler, and the Spinning Dragons. Along with the other rides, there were plenty of rides open in Planet Snoopy for the younger kids, including the Camp Bus, Charlie Brown’s Windup, Cosmic Coaster, and many others. There were also multiple shows you can watch including, “Charlie Brown’s Christmas Spectacular,” “Cool Yule Christmas,” “Holly Jolly Trolley,” “New Year’s Eve at Winterfest,” “Sounds of the Nativity,” “Tinkers Toy Factory,” “the Tree Lighting Ceremony,” and “the Mistletones.”

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The Mistletones play many Christmas favorites like “Frosty the Snowman,” “Happy Holidays,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and many other family Christmas songs. I enjoyed Winterfest because it was peaceful and beautiful. The park was quieter and you could hear the music, you could also hear laughter, but it wasn’t crazy and too loud like it would normally be during the summer season. All of the lights and decorations made it so much better, you could tell the crew actually put effort into Winterfest and they actually cared, the park was clean, the service was really fast and good. The shop with all of the Christmas stuff, “The Front Street Emporium”, was also very organized whereas sometimes during the regular season, it is messier. I also noticed the staff joked around, laughed, and danced which is different then you would normally see. Usually they are so focused on dealing with things and they look bored, mad, and unpleasant. I felt like having the park decorated brought out the joy of the holidays. My favorite part was the petting zoo because the animals were cute, especially one of the camels, named Luna. You also have the option to feed the animals, all you have to

There are many fun activities to do at Crown Center by Staffer Kayleonah Trumble

On Sunday, Dec.1,Winnetonka sophomore Brooklyn Leavoy attend Worlds of Fun Winterfest. “It was very cold outside,” said Leavoy. There are many things to do at Winterfest including looking at all of the beautiful trees. Photo by: Adrian Berry

do is ask one of the assistants who are with the animals. It costs $1 to get food, but it’s worth it because the animals are so cute; and they seemed to enjoy being fed. During the regular season it’s warm and there are many more people, but at Winterfest, it was cold and the lines short, plus there were not many people that you had to avoid and walk around. In the summer, usually on the faster rides it may be a little chilly depending on the weather. However, during Winterfest, it was freezing and afterward my legs and face were frozen. Overall, Winterfest was a fun place to go to with friends and family. It was very family-friendly and fun and I will go again, everything about it was amazing. Winterfest immediately got me into the holiday spirit after I went through the check-in gate and saw the Christmas tree and heard the music.

Crown Center was really fun; and there are a lot of things to do including shopping, eating, ice skating, and visiting Sea life and LEGOland. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves because they were laughing with their families. Ice skating was fun because I got to watch some people do some really cool tricks. It was entertaining to watch all of the people ice skating because they seemed pretty experienced. I went to the rink earlier in the day so there were not that many people on the rink. The ice rink looked really nice. There was no trash anywhere; the ice looked inviting. You can also go shopping at Crown Center. There is a chocolate and fudge shop called Chips Chocolate Factory, toy stores including the Crayola store, On Sunday, Dec. 1, junior Adrian clothing stores, and a store where you Berry visits Crown Center. Inside of Crown Center, they have Lego sculptures that change every couple of months. “It was cool, I like that they change out the installment [Lego structures],” said Berry. Photo by: Adrian Berry

can buy holiday decorations. There is also the Coterie Theatre, where there are many plays for children and families. My favorite store to shop is the candy store and Chips, because there is so much candy and different types of chocolate treats to try. There are also multiple restaurants to eat at including, Spin Pizza, Unforked, Zteca, Pak ling Express, and Fritz’s railroad restaurant. My favorite restaurant is Fritz’s because it’s a cool place, once you have your order ready you pick up the phone that’s at your table and place an order, and then a train drops your food off. There is a railroad that’s above you and a train goes by with a box under it and when the food is yours, it drops the box of food on the scale which then lowers down to the table. Crown Center also houses the mayor’s Christmas tree. When I stood next to the 100-foot tree, I felt extremely small.

Ice skating hours: December and January: Sunday-Thursday: 10a.m.-9p.m. Friday-Saturday: 10a.m.-11p.m. February and March: Sunday: 10a.m.-9p.m. Monday-Thursday: 11a.m.-9p.m. Friday: 11a.m.-10p.m. Saturday: 10a.m.-10p.m

12/9/19 9:41 PM

Opinion // Morales-Mejia

To Track or Not to Track Should parents track their kids?

by Copy Editor Ivonee Morales-Mejia

“Tracking should not be a ‘just because’ sort of thing for parents because not every kid requires such monitoring,”

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In an age where technology has advanced, parents now find it easier to track their children through the use of tracking devices and phone apps, such as Life 360, that had approximately 18 million active monthly users at the end of 2018. “With sex trafficking and kidnapping happening at an alarming rate, teens and kids aren’t very likely to leave their phones behind, so if something like this were to happen, parents would be able to track their kids,” said parent Sharon Adams. 180 Oak Park High School students were asked whether or not parents should track their children, 59% of students agreed while 41% disagreed. It’s obvious students are fairly evenly divided on the issue “I understand if you’re tracking a kid because they have a history of sneaking out,” said sophomore Olivia Dines. “However, if they’re decent kids then there’s no reason to invade their privacy, kids should be able to grow up, not constantly under someone’s rules and protection.” However, in a survey of 148 parents and adults, 98.6% said parents should track their children while 1.4% disagreed. In a seperate survey, adults were asked if they tracked their children. Only 75% actually do while 25% didn’t track their children. Parent Sarah Reynolds said, “Tracking should not be a ‘just because’ sort of thing for parents because not every kid requires such monitoring.” The issue some students had with

tracking children was based on a belief in “helicopter parenting,” defined by Merriam Webster dictionary as “a parent who is overly involved in the life of his or her child,” “I can definitely remember since sixth grade, my mom’s always tracked me,” said senior Gabrielle Letsinger. “One time my best friend and I were driving and the lane where we were supposed to go closed, so we had to go another way, and my mom messaged me ‘that isn’t the way you were supposed to go,’ so I had to send her pictures and videos because her phone was saying we were somewhere else and she had gotten mad because at one point I didn’t have service so I couldn’t text her, so after that I was grounded and my phone was taken away.” Some people are in the middle, saying there should be a line of trust between the child and parents. “At some point, children need to be given the freedom to make decisions and be counted upon to make the right choices in life. If you’re always monitoring a kid then you’re not letting them know that you believe in

their ability to do that independently,” said school psychologist Natalie Koster. Some argue that tracking children violates a child’s privacy, it also provides safety and reassurance to the parents. “I never tracked my son until he was a new driver, then we downloaded the Life 360 app,” said Clay County deputy Justin Linard. “One day, we had those slick days and I checked to see if he was really driving slow, and he was going super slow, as a parent it reassures me to know where he’s at.”

12/9/19 8:08 PM

Feature // Ashton

Taking care of the health you can’t see Mental health issues among

adolescents are on the rise

by staffers Luka Ashton and Haydenn Gallagher

then often leads to issues of maybe self-harm or suicidal ideation. Those here are probably the biggest things According to the Child Mind Instithat we deal with.” tute, an independent, national nonAccording to the online “Journal profit dedicated to transforming the of Development & Behavioral Pedilives of children and families strugatrics,” the number of children ages gling with mental health and learning 6 to 17 diagnosed with anxiety or disorders, “of the 74.5 million childepression increased from 4.7% in dren in the United States, an estimat- 2007 to 5.4% in 2012. ed 17.1 million have or have had a “[When a student shows signs of psychiatric disorder.” depression] then the counselors... This means 1 in every 5 students, one of us will reach out to them...And or four kids in every classroom can the idea is that, sometimes kids don’t relate to a mental health issue, but like that we pull them in and talk to you may never know who. them, but the idea is that all of us “We hide that part away like we have moments of depression,” said refuse to acknowledge it, so we Brennan. get locked behind and we do it to With more and more teenagers ourselves. We refuse to believe that experiencing mental health troubles, we’re not okay because we have to resources for students are needed. continue pushing through and it just “I felt so trapped like I felt like ends up building up and where does I was in this glass wall and I was it go?” said sophomore Michelle screaming, but nobody heard me, Lora, *anonymous source. and it was terrible, I don’t wish that Mental health issues are more on anybody,” said Lora. common than one might think due to At Oak Park, teachers and counthe lack of conversation happening. selors look for specific signs that However, it’s happening all around may mean a student needs help. us, present in our neighborhoods, Teachers trained in those skills have online communities, even between a four-inch circular blue sticker in our school walls. their room or on their classroom “The most common mental health door. issues that we deal with here in “Just talking about it, like it’s not Oak Park are regarding anxiety and some crazy thing that nobody experidepression,” said resource specialist ences...and to recognize that a lot of Heather Brennan, “And depression

Common symptoms of depression:

Mood swings

students whether they’re diagnosed or not, do have depression or anxiety. So maybe don’t go as hard on them,” said junior Ashton Jezowski. Along with general awareness is knowing the specific signs someone could give as a cry for help. “[Some of the signs are] when there’s a sudden big change that maybe is different than before. So, when really emotional, maybe withdrawn. They’re pulling away, they’re not being with their friends,” said Brennan. Lora’s mother noticed some signs, leading to her going to a doctor and soon to see a therapist. “I had these panic attacks that wouldn’t go away and I was just in constant panic...She [Lora’s mother] decided we needed to go to the doctor,” said Lora. However, there are also some signs that might not be automatically seen as someone in need. “Jokes, mainly, like jokes about either killing yourself or depression,” said junior Nevaeh Deavers. ”Because now everybody is just making jokes about it all the time. So nobody really takes it seriously,” *This source was provided anonymity for her protection. illustration by Luka Ashton

Excessive sleepiness

Irritability

Loss of appeitite Illustrations by Parker Bensyl

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There are many resources and ways to reach out. If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety or something else, speak out. Talk to your counselor or regular doctor to get connected with a professional The National Suicide Prevention Line is 1-800-273-8255, to chat online visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ chat 12/9/19 8:22 PM

Feature // Bensyl

Feature// Bensyl

just take the

field

Students elaborate about their off-campus program by Editor-in-Chief Lindsey Dunaway

While their peers trudge into classrooms lined with rows of desks, some students walk into an incubator for small businesses. The NKC school district offers a wide variety of off-campus programs to help students succeed in careers. Programs vary from early college academy, health sciences, and plenty of choices in between. Junior Leemu Masah is in NCC’s health science program. “It’s an off-campus program where we do hands on work with mannequins, and on each other sometimes. We [also] learn about the skills and duties of CNAs [Certified Nursing Assistant],” Masah said.

Often, the environment at off-campus programs is much different than it is in a normal classroom. “It’s a lot more hands on and it’s a lot more focused on things you’re actually interested in,” Masah said. “It is like a simulated workplace. The things that we do are exactly the same as what we would do at an actual job.” Senior Andreanna Castillo attends the Digital Media and Design NCAPS program, where she specializes in audio. “[My favorite thing about NCAPS is] being able to be surrounded with people that like to create,” Castillo said. For Castillo, being around people of the same interests and dif-

One to two-year program designed to equip students with career and technical skills, programs include: Agricultural Education., Aviation Technology, Construction Technology, Culinary Arts, Diesel Tech, Health Sciences, ect. Students earn English and math credits in the program.

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Northland Center for Advanced Professional Skills (NCAPS)

V.S.

really there’s nothing to be worried about.” Each off-campus program will benefit a student in some way depending on what they are interested in and what they want to go into after high school. “[NCAPS] benefits me because now I’m more aware of my behavior. I used to be really shy, and I kind of still am but not really, but

Half-day program lasting one to two years designed to prepare students with professional and technical skills in one of six areas: Digital Media and Design, Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, Global Business and Entrepreneurship, Global Logistics, Medicine and Healthcare, and Technology Solutions.

it makes me test it,” Castillo said. “Like I’m trying to overcome a lot of things that I used to do, and it helps me become a better person and a better business person or better artist.” The other benefits of the program is students leave with some sort of certification, depending on what specialty they pursue. “When I graduate, I’ll have col-

“Now I know like different types of music, and how to like, kind of, make it now,”—senior

ferent talents can be beneficial to everyone. It helps inspire people to expand their comfort zone and allows them to do what they enjoy doing. “Now I know like different types of music, and how to like, kind of make it now. I’m still trying to find time for that [making music] but that’s why I like NCAPS because it gives me time to do that,” Castillo said. Junior Scott Vandenberg participates in automotive technology 1, where he learns mechanics. “It teaches you a lot about the basics of working on cars and a lot of stuff you need to know going into the industry,” Vandenberg said. Regardless of whichever pro-

What’s the difference?

Northland Career Center (NCC)

gram a student becomes involved with, there will always be challenges. “The most challenging part is before clinicals when you’re actually going to be working with patients. It’s really nerve-wracking,” Masah said. “But when you’re actually there and when you’re with your instructors they help you through everything and

Andreanna Castillo During her NCAPS class on Monday, Nov. 25, senior Andreanna Castillo works on a video project to advertise the Kansas City Streetcar. “The environment [is different than high school because] they treat you as how you want to be treated,” Castillo. In the Digital Media and Design strand, Castillo specializes in audio, where she has worked on various projects throughout the semester, such as building an audio studio. (photo by Parker Bensyl)

lege credits and be ASE {Automotive Service Excellence] certified,” Vandenberg said. ASE certification means that a person is certified to do the specific task they’re trained in. There are seven total certifications. For Vandenberg, being ASE certified means that he will be able to get a job as a mechanic directly after high school.

Students in health science programs may earn a CNA certification at the end of their course. “You can work in any healthcare setting and you help nurses and doctors with the duties that they perform and you can get an actual job with it,” Masah said. Classes are often smaller and more focused than they would be in a normal classroom, which

means the relationship between peers can become more close knit. “I love the community, we’re all like a big family. It’s 30 of us in our class, so we’re really close and just our whole class has grown so much together in such a short amount of time,” Masah said.

12/9/19 9:13 PM

Feature //Gallagher

Feature // Gallagher

Broken Families, Strong Bonds

Growing up too soon by reporter Elayna Rodriquez

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, changed the life of sophomore Sophia Rodriguez for the worse. Like many students, the blink of an eye left her and a younger sibling in a single-parent household with challenges they’d face throughout their childhood. With, numbers from the Pew Research Center, more than 24 million children being raised by single parents, society asks how detrimental this is to someone so young and how this can affect their childhood. “I’ve really had to learn how to become more independent with myself and take on responsibilities I didn’t think I’d have to,” Rodriguez said. “I had to sort of take on the role of a mother and just being there for my sister when we started living with my father. It definitely impacted me a lot when I was younger, but I’ve adjusted to it more now.” According to the “Washington Post,” of the 40.6 million Americans below the poverty line, 12.7% live in single-parent families, any of these students are more likely to drop out due to the burden of education, but others are lucky to able to live in a stable household. “I’ve learned to like really appreciate what one parent can do for you because even though we don’t have that like second support in my life, my mom has always made sure that I have a roof over my head and clothes on my back,” sophomore Gracie VanBebber said. Whether it’s the separation of two

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parents or the death of another, “I had to adjust to a lot of things I these events often lead to closer wasn’t expecting when I was bonds within younger since a family and “I’ve really had to learn our financial the feeling of a situation wasn’t how to become more in- good,” Rodriguez more valuable relationship dependent with myself said. “We went with their parfrom living in a few and take on responsi- different houses ent, according to the Single bilties I didn’t think I’d to an apartment, Parents Allithen we finally have to,” ance of Amermoved to Kansas ica. City so we could -sophomore have more sup“I think I look up to my father port living with my Sophia Rodriguez a lot more than grandparents.” I feel like other One of the people do, because people tend to toughest things of living in a single look more towards their mom beparent household is the dual roles cause they think she’s the best but that one parent must take on while in reality, I think dads are better,” raising their child. sophomore Vanity Shumate said. “I don’t think that It really matters With one parent being absent and if you have two parents because as the other working, children tend long as you have one person that’s to look towards their siblings who there for you and takes care of you, they’ll spend up to one-third of their then I think you’ll be fine,” Vanbebber free time with, according to Whattosaid. expect.com, when sharing the same Students of single parents often upbringing, they can have a greater have to take on the role of the abbond that one could imagine. sentee parent, whether it’s getting “It made me really closer to my a job or helping around the house. siblings because while my dad was According to Kids Count Data Cenat work, they took care of me and ter, approximately, one-third of kids they’re the only thing I have,” Shucontribute to more than 20% of their mate said. household’s income, to supplement. When students begin to adjust to “Since I’m like getting older I have living with one-parent, major lifestyle to think about getting a job to buy changes can be made leading to my own food and things that I want,” children developing social or acaRodriguez said. “My dad has always demic problems from these disrupworked really hard to make sure that tions. In Rodriguez’s case and many I have everything I need and he’s others, they moved from place to thinking about getting another job place. since his main one’s slowing down.”

According to Pew Research Center, 24 million U.S. children 18 years and younger, live with a single parent. 15 million of those children live with only their mother while 9 million live with only their father. Illustration by Parker Bensyl

According to the Fisher Deberry Foundation, the absence of one parent is often reflected with how a child will behave, but with approximately 13.6 million single parents raising over 21 million children, there can be a large stigma against them. “I definitely value how much work my dad does to provide us a home and things I want,” Rodriguez said. Since I didn’t like grow up with a mom, I may have missed out on opportunities that others had but I honestly am really thankful for everything I have because I know how easily harder my life could have been

if my dad wasn’t there.” Children in single-parent households tend to grasp onto life skills easier that will stick with them into their adulthood, according to Everydayhealth.com, while they may learn it the hard way, these can be essential in their life. “I have been that I was the only girl in my family, so I’ve had to learn how to clean and attempt to cook at a young age and I just really had to learn better,” Shumate said. Many factors can lay into the hands of single-parents that determined whether their child has a stable home,

but in comparison to two-parent households many of these are as successful or better from the relationships and community around them, according to a Cornell study. “When I was younger, we definitely faced a lot more challenges. We didn’t have much food in our apartment, and we had to go to a babysitter all throughout the summer because of my father’s job,” Rodriguez said. “But I don’t think my life would be much different if I had another parent around cause my dad provides us everything we need.”

12/9/19 9:19 PM

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