single-parent

[ sing-guh l-pair-uh nt, ‐par-uh nt ]

/ ˈsɪŋ gəlˈpɛər ənt, ‐ˈpær ənt /

of or noting a family in which a parent brings up a child or children alone, without a partner: a single-parent family; a single-parent household.

Origin of single-parent

First recorded in 1965–70

single parent

a parent or guardian who brings up a child or children alone, without a partner: Being a single parent isn’t easy.

First recorded in 1850–60

Single-parent, same-sex, and common-law families barely penetrated public consciousness, much less the Hebrew lexicon.

People-Powered Social Revolution in Israel Promotes Rights of Same-Sex Families |Irit Rosenblum |November 15, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The fact that the new president of the United States was the product of a single-parent home was cited by both sides.

American Dreams, 1993: The Road to Wellville by T. Coraghessan Boyle |Nathaniel Rich |October 30, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
I come from a single-parent family, and am a single child, so I spent a fair amount of time on my own, usually reading.

Why I Choose to Be Child-Free: Readers Share Their Stories |Harry Siegel |February 27, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
More than half of all American children will spend some time as a member of a single-parent family.

When Your Child Kills: the Parents of Criminals |Andrew Solomon |December 21, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

Sons grew up to become less likely to form bonds with mates, making another generation of single-parent vole families more likely.

Free Birth Control: Could It Transform Society? |Brian Alexander, Larry Young |October 19, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

single parent

a person who has a dependent child or dependent children and who is widowed, divorced, or unmarried
(as modifier)a single-parent family

Also called (NZ): solo parent