Effects of Single Parenting on the Growth and Development of a Child

ABSTRACT

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.

WORD COUNTS: 347

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 ONE1.0Introduction                                               1                                        1.1Background of the Study  1                                                         1.2Statement of problem                                41.3Objectives of the Study                                                                     51.4Significance of the Study                                                                  51.5Research Questions                                                                           61.6Scope of the Study                                                                            71.7Operational Definition of Terms                                                       7CHAPTER TWO2.0Literature Review                                                                            82.1Introduction                                                                                      82.2Concept of the family             122.3Concept of single parent family 142.4Causes of single parenting162.5Factors affecting growth and development of the child192.6Effects 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 242.10Empirical studies 252.9Theoretical framework 262.10Application of theoretical framework to the study  27
CHAPTER THREE3.0Introduction         293.1Research Design                                                                            293.2Research Settings                                                                          293.3Target Population                                                                          303.4Sample & Sampling Technique                                                    303.5Instrument for Data Collection                                                      303.6Validity / Reliability                                                                      303.7Method of data collection                                                              313.8Method of data analysis                                                                 313.9Ethical Consideration                                                                    31
CHAPTER FOUR4.0Data Analysis and Interpretation of data                                    324.1Answering of research questions50
CHAPTER FIVE5.0Discussion of Findings             535.1Implication to Midwifery Practice                                                 535.2Recommendations for further studies                                                 54                                    5.3Limitations of study                                                                            555.4Summary565.5Conclusion565.6Suggestions for further studies 56REFERENCES                                                                                             57QUESTIONNAIRE                                                      60LETTER OF PERMISSION                                                      
LIST OF TABLESTable I Respondents demographical data                                       Table IIRespondents marital statusTable IIIRespondents religionTable IVRespondents educational qualificationTable V Age at which respondent had their first childTable VIRespondents occupationTable VIIRespondents parityTable VIIIRespondents answer to what is single parenting?Table IXRespondents answer to the major cause of single parentingTable XRespondents answer to family structureTable XIRespondents answer on how early marriage results into single parentingTable XIIRespondents answer to, if artificial insemination causes single parentingTable XIIIRespondents answer to if children from single parent family perform better than children from two parent familyTable XIVRespondents answer to if children from two parents’ family are more emotionally stable than children from single parent familyTable 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 parentingTable XVIIResponses on if enacting laws against early marriage will reduce the incidence of single parenting.
LIST OF FIGURESFigure 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 careFigure VChildren from single parent family experiences impaired personality, low esteem. Figure VILack of discipline is commonly associated with single parentingFigure 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.