ABSTRACT
This study is concerned with assessing single mother’s experience of socializing their dependent children in Ilorin South, Kwara State, Nigeria. The objective of the study is to find out the experiences of single mothers in socializing their children. The researcher has employed qualitative research methodology. The basic research question is; how do single mothers take care of their family with the parenting style they adopt? For this purpose, the data requirements for the study were collected from 11 single mothers. And they were selected by using snowball sampling technique. Altogether 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted for the analysis so as to collect relevant data. The data collected were analysed using thematic analysis or major idea analysis. The findings from the study revealed that financial problem (difficulty for the mothers to meet the basic needs of children and the family) and the parenting style of single mothers, psychological challenges ( loneliness, helpless and hopeless ) were the main stressor for majority of the single mothers and child development, while children of single parents receive little support in their educational engagement form their mothers (that have a negative effect on their academic, psychological and emotional performance ) and single mothers received limited support from community, neighbourhood , government and non government organization. The study also suggests that there is an urgent need to recognize the unique challenges of both the children of single mother families and their mothers (as compared to children of nuclear families) and calls for multifaceted interventions by both government and nongovernmental organizations to help these groups of the society to cope-up with the psychological, financial and emotional problems.
Key words: Single Mother, Children development, Child Parent Relationship, parenting styles by single mothers and financial challenges.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page............................................................................................................ (a)
Certification......................................,.................................................................. (b)
Dedication............................................................................................................(c)
Acknowledgement.............................................................................................. (d)
Abstract................................................................................................................(e)
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction......................................1
Background To The Study.................................................................................1-4
Statement Of The Problem..................................................................................5-7
Research Questions................................................................................................7
Aims And Objectives.............................................................................................7-8
Significance Of The Study...................................................................................8
Limitations Of The Study......................................................................................9
Operational Definition And Clarification Of Concepts.......................................10
CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review............................12
Theoretical Framework.....................................................................................12-29
Single Mother Status.........................................................................................29-30
Single Mothers Parenting Style.........................................................................30-32
Influence Of Single Mothers Parenting On The Well Being Of The Family....32-34
Single Mothers Parenting Influence On Socio-Economic Well Being............. 34-37
Causes of Single Parenting.................................................................................37-39
Effects Of Single Mothers Parenting..................................................................39-45
CHAPTER THREE: Methodology..................................... 46
Research Design........................................................................................................46
Description Of Study Area....................................................................................46-47
Population Of Study.....................................................................................................47
Sampling Technique And Size....................................................................................47
Method Of Data Collection.....................................................................................47-48
Description Of The Research Instruments...................................................................48
Data Analysis...........................................................................................................48-49
Ensuring Rigor And Consistency.............................................................................49-50
Ethical Considerations.............................................................................................50-51
Logical Framework......................................................................................................52
CHAPTER FOUR: Data Presentation and Analysis.............. 53
Brief Description Of Participant.....................................................................................53
Background information On Single Mothers............................................................53-55
Findings......................................................................................................................55-66
Single Mothers – Children Relationship
Economic Problem Of Single Mothers Headed Family
Psychosocial Challenges
Family Role In Children Education
Children’s Future Relationship
Support Systems For Single Mothers: Role Of Community And Ngo’s
Parent’s Perspective On The Effects Of Single Parenting On Children
Cognitive, Social And Emotional Development Of Children
CHAPTER FIVE: Summary, Conclusion And Recommendations....................................................................66
Discussions.................................................................................................................66-68
Recommendations.......................................................................................................68-69
Implications......................................................................................................................70
Contribution To Knowledge............................................................................................71
Conclusion........................................................................................................................71
References....................................................................................................................72-76
Appendix......................................................................................................................77-79
