A version of this article appears in print on Sept. 20, 2023, Section A, Page 26 of the New York edition with the headline: The Rise of Single-Parent Families Is Bad for Kids.

When C.J. Stroud's father was incarcerated, Kimberly, the quarterback's mother, took over the household as a single parent. Now C.J. calls his foundation a "full circle" moment to spread hope.