INTRODUCTION: The well-being of any society is the aggregate of the well-being of the individual families that make up the society. So, the home is a quintessential factor that makes up the psychological, social, and emotional growth and development. In a happy family, a child knows that his father and mother will care for him when he gets sick. He knows that he can go to his mother or father with the problem of his young life and get advice and support, no matter how trouble filled the outside world may be. The growth and development of every child is relatively determined by the pattern of family or home such child comes from. This research project was carried out in order to elicit information about the perception of the society on the effects of single parenting on the growth and development of a child in selected local government areas in Ibadan.
METHODOLOGY: The research design used was a non experimental and descriptive research design with 100 respondents chosen by convenient sampling method. The target population were parents in the selected local governments which includes; Ibadan North and Ibadan North West local government areas. Data collected were analyzed through the use of tables, pie charts, bar charts, frequency simple and mean percentage. Relevant literatures were sought and reviewed, questionnaires was used to gather relevant information for the study.
RESULT: From the study, it was deduced that 85% of the respondents have poor perception about the effects of single parenting on a child’s growth and development. It is clear that single parenting is not an easy task as this study has shown.
CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION: In conclusion, majority of the respondents have poor perception about the effects of single parenting on the growth and development of a child. Based on the analysis, it was recommended that midwives should provide good family life education for her clients, good sex education for teenagers; also midwives should serve as advocate against early marriage.
KEY WORDS: Single parenting, growth, development, effect, child, society, early marriage, teenagers, perception.
SUB-HEADINGS: Introduction, methodology, result, conclusion and recommendation.
TABLE OF CONTENT.
Cover page …………………………………………………
Certification …………………………………………………i
Abstract …………………………………………………ii
Dedication …………………………………………………iii
Acknowledgement…………………………………………………iv
Table of contents …………………………………………………v
List of tables …………………………………………………vii
List of figures ………………………………………………….ix
CHAPTER ONE
1.0Introduction 1
1.1Background of the Study 1
1.2Statement of problem 4
1.3Objectives of the Study 5
1.4Significance of the Study 5
1.5Research Questions 6
1.6Scope of the Study 7
1.7Operational Definition of Terms 7
CHAPTER TWO
2.0Literature Review 8
2.1Introduction 8
2.2Concept of the family 12
2.3Concept of single parent family 14
2.4Causes of single parenting16
2.5Factors affecting growth and development of the child19
2.6Effects of single parenting on the child’s growth and development21
2.7 Differences between a child from a single parent family and both
Parent family. 22
2.8Challenges of single parenting in the society 23
2.9Possible ways of bringing the situation under control 24
2.10Empirical studies 25
2.9Theoretical framework 26
2.10Application of theoretical framework to the study 27
CHAPTER THREE
3.0Introduction 29
3.1Research Design 29
3.2Research Settings 29
3.3Target Population 30
3.4Sample & Sampling Technique 30
3.5Instrument for Data Collection 30
3.6Validity / Reliability 30
3.7Method of data collection 31
3.8Method of data analysis 31
3.9Ethical Consideration 31
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0Data Analysis and Interpretation of data 32
4.1Answering of research questions50
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0Discussion of Findings 53
5.1Implication to Midwifery Practice 53
5.2Recommendations for further studies 54
5.3Limitations of study 55
5.4Summary56
5.5Conclusion56
5.6Suggestions for further studies 56
REFERENCES 57
QUESTIONNAIRE 60
LETTER OF PERMISSION
LIST OF TABLES
Table I Respondents demographical data
Table IIRespondents marital status
Table IIIRespondents religion
Table IVRespondents educational qualification
Table V Age at which respondent had their first child
Table VIRespondents occupation
Table VIIRespondents parity
Table VIIIRespondents answer to what is single parenting?
Table IXRespondents answer to the major cause of single parenting
Table XRespondents answer to family structure
Table XIRespondents answer on how early marriage results into single parenting
Table XIIRespondents answer to, if artificial insemination causes single parenting
Table XIIIRespondents answer to if children from single parent family perform better than children from two parent family
Table XIVRespondents answer to if children from two parents’ family are more emotionally stable than children from single parent family
Table XVResponses on if children from two parent family are well fed with balanced diet and healthier than children from single parent family.
Table XVIResponses on if health education will reduce the incidence of single parenting
Table XVIIResponses on if enacting laws against early marriage will reduce the incidence of single parenting.
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure I Does single parent often experiences lone parenthood, unhappiness and lack of marital fulfillment.
Figure IIDoes children from single parent family get exposed mostly to traumatic experiences.
Figure IIISocial implications of single parenting arejuvenile delinquency & economic problem.
Figure IVChildren from single parent family enjoys optimum parental care
Figure VChildren from single parent family experiences impaired personality, low esteem. Figure VILack of discipline is commonly associated with single parenting
Figure VIISingle parenting can result into child neglect, abandonment,
Figure VIIISubstance abuse, social misconduct, criminal offence is common in children of single parent family.
Figure IXSingle parents who are low income earners find it difficult to provide good nutritional needs and fulfill medical obligations which affects growth and development
Figure XMost children of single parent due to lack of parental love have problem with interpersonal relationship, communication, understanding others, hence, can be aggressive.
