Family structure plays an important role in preschool readiness in children ages three to four, according to a 2005 study by the Center for Marriage & Families. Children of solo-parents tend to be less emotionally ready for school than children who are raised in two-parent homes and are more likely to have behavioral problems, such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Unfortunately, emotional, physical and social problems can persist beyond early childhood.
Children of single parents -- especially boys, have higher high school drop-out rates than those from dual-parent homes. However, there's some good news: research suggests that a father's involvement, interest and encouragement in a child's education can greatly influence these outcomes.
The teenage years seem to be especially difficult for children from single-parent households. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression and participate in risky behavior, such as drug use, which hamstrings a child's ability to reach his intellectual potential while in school.
Psychological stress, poverty and the absence of a father in the home often negatively impact a child's prospects for higher education. Children of single-parent households also have more trouble with college acceptance at high-caliber schools. In the area of sports and sports recruitment, many college sports programs take into account the family structure of prospective athletes. Although not widely discussed, many coaches pass over good football and basketball players from troubled homes for those from more stable households.