Chapter l
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
Single motherhood is a growing phenomenon in South Africa as it is in the world
at large. The concept and structure of a family have changed over the last few decades and no
single definition will suffice to describe or define it anymore. Various factors impact on the
psychological wellbeing of the single mother. The psychological wellbeing or mental health of
the single mother can influence her parenting abilities. The aim of this study is to explore the
lived experience of a single mother with three dependent children, to gain a deeper
understanding of her experience as a single mother and the meaning she attaches to it. This
qualitative research study uses a single case study method unstructured interview to explore the
participants experiences. The participants lived experience reveals that financial hardship is not
the main contributing factor to stress experienced by this single mother
Financial resources played a vital role in the psychological wellbeing of the single mother and in
the quality of her parenting. (Jackson, Gyamfi, Brooks-Gunn and Blake, 1998). Found in their
study of single Black mothers in America employment had a moderating effect on the
relationship between a mother’s psychological functioning and her decision to spank her
children. Employment reduced the frequency of spanking by mothers with more symptoms of
parental stress and depression.
Single parenting is described as a practice of one parent with the absence of another parent, it is
usually the mother or father, caring for and raising children (Mabuza et al., 2014). However,
contractual workers are typically employed for a brief project at a fixed salary. They could be
paid weekly, monthly, or only after the project is finished (Elton, 2021). Moreover, most people
in today’s society struggle to balance job and family obligations. Yet not everyone experiences
this battle in the same way. During the Pandemic, many have also experienced job loss or
financial loss. The pandemic has been especially tough for women who have families. Many
solitary parents are struggling to manage their children’s education while still trying to find a job.
Due to being sole wage earners, most of them have fewer available funds as well as less
psychological and social support. (RAPID, 2020).
Furthermore, According to Mortelmans et al. (2019) single parent have the worst work-life
balance when compared to their counterparts who are married, living with a partner, or childless.
For Thielemans and Mortelmans (2019) this is mainly because, even after a divorce or
separation, more time must be spent at work. In a recent World Health Organization (WHO)
survey, there are 15 million solitary parents in the Philippines, with more than 15 million or
(95%) of solo parents with over 95% being women facing challenges in balancing work, child-
rearing, and household responsibilities.
The American Psychological Association (APA, 2019) state that despite being common, living
with a single parent may be very stressful for both the adult and the kids. The pressures of
managing child care, a job paying the bills, and keeping up with domestic duties may make a
single parent feel overburdened. Additionally, after the parents breakup, the family’s finances
and resources are often substantially diminished. Families with a single parent often encounter a
variety of additional demands and potential issues that other families might not experience.
What concerns this study is the lived experience and challenges face by single parent mothers on
contractualization. According to the Women’s Committee of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (as cited
in Purugganan, 2022), while contractualization has an equal impact on men and women, the
effects on women are more severe. The illegal practice of recruiting fixed term employees
typically for a period of 5-6 months or less, and repeatedly renewing their contracts to deny
workers the benefits of regular employment, also known as ‘‘endo’’ (end of contract), has
permeated the nation’s employment system. Based on the study of Garcia et al. (2021), the
results indicated their primary areas of difficulty were finding stable financial and emotional
support. They find it difficult to support themselves because they don’t have spouses and proper
job. Therefore, the sources for meeting the child’s requirements include work and the support of
the participants’ families is discernible.
One more extrusive concern is that the abusive labor practices associated whit it problematic.
Filipino workers, in particular, do not give tenure as much consideration as they are concerned
about. Suppose employers continue to take advantage of or deny workers their entitlements to
real benefits like healthcare and social security. In that case, it will lead to sick, disengaged, and
inefficient worker that, over the long term, might be fatal to enterprises. (Cruz,2021).
This study focuses on contractual single parents lived experience, as well as their challenges and
coping mechanisms amidst the pandemic. Moreover, this study significantly contributes to
policymaking by addressing certain needs and challenges faced by the contractual single parent
which are real and seriously experienced. Presenting research findings to policy-makers, will aim
to engage them in the policy-making process, drive action in adequate directions, and encourage
policy-making on research to support for contractual single parents.
Statement of the Problem
This study aim to determine the impacts of single parenting on child development in Capoocan,
Leyte. [Link] 2
Specially, this study answers the following Question and concerns.
1. How do single parents navigate the emotional challenges of raising children without a
partner?
2. What are the lived experiences of a Single Perents?
3. What are the coping mechanisms of contractual single mothers?