to assess the effects of single parenting on family welfare; physically, mentally, socially and psychologically and recommending the ways which can be used to control single parent familie

 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Although progress has been made toward reducing child morbidity and mortality globally, many children under five years in developing countries are still vulnerable to preventable illnesses and die of causes related to malnutrition (Amsalu &Tigabu, 2008). Specifically, child malnutrition and survival have remained a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2011, the region had the highest under-5 mortality in the world (109 per 1000 live births), the highest prevalence of stunting (40%) and the second highest rate of wasting (9%) after South East Asia (UNICEF, 2013). The second largest number of stunted children in the world after India is in Nigeria where over 11 million children under five years are stunted. Out of 6.6 million under-5 deaths in 2012, about half died in India, Nigeria, DRC and China; and Nigeria accounts for 13% of these deaths (UN, 2013). Poor child health and survival outcomes in developing countries remain because many of the children and mothers who need public health interventions are not reached (Bryce et al., 2003).

Single-parent families are different from families with two parents living under the same roof. They differ in many ways; but the most common difference is the way in which the parent interacts with the child. In dual-parenting families, the mother and father usually decide together how to run the household, while in single-parent households, issues such may be more likely to be decided with the children. In a single parent household members may unrealistically expect that the family can function like a two-parent family, and may feel that something is wrong when it cannot (Amsalu &Tigabu, 2008). The single parent may feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of juggling between caring for the children, maintaining a job and keeping up with the bills and household chores. Typically, the family's finances and resources are drastically reduced following the parents' breakup. In fact single parent families deal with many other pressures and potential problem areas that the nuclear family does not have to face (Amsalu &Tigabu, 2008). The source of the problems is not necessarily single-parenthood itself, but a combination of economic pressures, family instability and conflict between parents. For example, a single parent with adequate resources may provide a stable, nurturing home in which children thrive just as well as those who have two parents. On the other hand, a single parent who is just scraping by and has little time, energy or skill for parental duties might have children who are at risk for a variety of problems (UNICEF, 2013).

The general trend of single parenting today is that, more parents continue to neglect their children, with fathers being the worst offenders. In Tanzania, maternal responsibility is that of childcare and home making while the paternal roles are the provision of economic responsibilities and discipline of children. Normally, it is the duty of the family, to guide and bring up the child in the norms and values of the community (Mrinde, 2014). They are to be responsible for the psychological and emotional welfare of the child. The parents are mainly answerable to the instructive and career development of their children. On the other hand, divorce or separation and death of one spouse may leave the roles in the hands of a single parent. The family composition, supremely, offers a good judgment of security and steadiness that is indispensable for children. When there is a breakdown in the family composition, it may have a remarkable effect on children and their capacities to function usually including good health. In most times, the children no longer have the biological father and mother to rely their up bring on. For that reason, children have to depend on the mother or the father to meet mainly, if not all their requirements in life. With inadequate finances, time and parents‟ accessibility, parents are less probable to offer the sufficient support that children require in all their undertakings including good health (Amoakohene, 2013).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The problem of this research therefore is to assess the effects of single parenting on family welfare such as in physically, mentally, socially and psychologically. A common explanation for the problems found among the children of single parents has been the absence of a male adult in the family (Clark &Hamplova, 2013). The loss of a father in the family can have implications beyond childhood. The children are also more likely to experience health-related problems physically, mentally, socially and psychologically as a result of the decline in their living standard, including the lack of health insurance and financial support (Kaimen, 2011). However, the lack of a male presence may not be as critical as the lack of a male income to the family. The economic deprivation of single-parent family life, in combination with other sources of strain and stress, is a major source of the problems experienced by both parents and children.

Mothers and fathers are important resources for children. They provide emotional support and practical assistance as well as serve as role models for their children. The skills that parents have in dealing with children have a profound influence on children's well-being. The psychological adjustment of parents is a significant factor in children's well-being.

Single parenting is very common in Tanzania and it could be as a result of a broken marriage, the death of a partner or individuals choosing to be single parents without getting into the bond of marriage. It is generally acknowledged that regardless of how single parenting is viewed, the increase in single parenting and incidence of families headed by one parent has a main influence on the social, economic, and political context of family life (Mrinde, 2014).

Also it seems that the majority of research about single parent families has been conducted on white, middleclass families and other ethnic minority populations almost completely ignored (Amoakohene, 2013). This study, therefore contributes to the literature on whether single parenting has an effect on family welfare especial to child‟s health in the Mtwara Municipality.

However, children who grow up with only one of their biological parents (nearly always the mother) are disadvantaged across a broad array of outcomes but it depends on various factors including good health. In spite of the limited research on single parenting, consensus seems to build around the main ways in which a woman may become a single mother (Mrinde, 2014). Most research has concentrated on the increasing causes of single parenting and the general impact of single parenting particularly on the mothers and children and not the effects of single parenting on family welfare. Therefore, there is the need to research if single parenting has effect on family welfare such as in physically, mentally, socially and psychologically (Amoakohene, 2013).

Objectives of the study

The study will be guided by the following objectives.

1.3.1 Main objective

The main objective of the study will be to assess the effects of single parenting on family welfare; physically, mentally, socially and psychologically and recommending the ways which can be used to control single parent families‟ situation in Mtwara Municipality.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

The study will be guided by the following specific objectives.

(i) To identify the challenges of single parenting on family welfare in Mtwara Municipality.

(ii) To explore the causes of single parenting in Mtwara Municipality.

(iii) To examine the ways of controlling single parent family’s situation in Mtwara Municipality.

1.4 Research Questions

To address the stated specific objectives, the study will be guided by the following research questions:

(i) What are the challenges of single parenting on family welfare in Mtwara Municipality?

(ii) What are the causes of single parenting in Mtwara Municipality?

(iii) What are the ways which can be used to control the single parent families‟ situation in Mtwara Municipality?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The study was chosen to be conducted because it would provide skillful parenting practices and result to be critical in buffering youngsters‟ families, such as children grow up knowing how to value life, take good care, respect rules and regulations and be given enough protection and preventive health education

The study would contribute to policy initiatives on issues relating to controlling single parenting such as teenage pregnancy, divorce and children born to unmarried parents. Also, the study will create awareness for policy makers to think about the required measures to help get involved/maintain children to single parent families towards the challenges that they encounter and improve the situation.

The study would also form a basis for researchers who desire to carry out further studies on single parenting and child health basing on the physical, mental, social and psychological effects of single parenting. Also, this study can be used to improve the single parenting situation in Temeke Municipality and in other places in order to improve the health of children physically, mentally, socially and psychologically.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study will be limited to the Mtwara Municipality in Tanzania and focuses on how single parenting affects the family welfare such as; physically, mentally, socially and psychologically.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

This study is about the effects of single parenting on handling family welfare such as  of physical, mental, social and psychological welfare of family in Mtwara Municipality. Literature will be reviewed in preparation for this study found limited literature on assessing the effects of single parenting on family welfare; physically, mentally, socially and psychologically using review of literature only through the empirical literature review.

This section would attempt to present a critical review of the available literature on the subject matter of research using the empirical literature review that included the evidence of what had been done by other researchers. According to Kombo and Tromp (2006) literature review is an account of what has been published on a topic of accredited scholars and researchers. It involves exploratory documents, such as books, magazines, journals, and dissertations that have a bearing on the study being conducted.

2.2 Definition of Terms and Concepts

2.2.1 Single Parenting

A half of all marriages seemed to begin in the mid-1970s projected to end in divorce (Kibel and Wagtaff, 2006). Recent statistics indicates that the future divorce rates may be even higher. The remarriage of a divorced custodial parent results in a third family configuration that is experienced by an increasing number of children predicted that 35% of all children born in the early 1980s will live with a stepparent during part of their childhood (Kibel and Wagtaff, 2006).

Single parenting refers to a situation where mothers or fathers raise their children without the presence of a spouse (Ferrel, 2009). Two major demographic trends underlying the causes of the rise of single parenting over the past several decades are big increase in birth to unmarried women and increased rate of death. One-third of all births occur to unmarried women and children become part of single parent families through the death of a parent but widowhood has been a relatively minor factor for the past fifty (50) years (US Census Bureau –Population Survey 1990-2000).

Parenthood is difficult and demanding under the most excellent of circumstances. With one parent, the difficulties are multiplied. Coping with childrearing for single parents becomes more intricate because of task burden, when one parent makes and takes all the responsibilities and provides for all of the family requirements; chore over-load, when the demands for work, housework, and parenting can be devastating for one individual; and emotional overload, when the single parent must for all time be accessible to meet both their own and their children's emotional needs. Single-handedly or in combination these result in problems for the single parent, including loneliness, anxiety, and depression ( Kowalczyk, 2015).

Single parenting in this study refers to families where a parent lives with dependent children, either alone or in a larger household, without a spouse or partner. Single parenting is referred as the taking of family‟s task which includes caring for children devoid of the father‟s or mother‟s involvement. Single-parenting can be defined as a situation in which one of the two individuals involved in the conception of the child is being responsible for the upbringing of the child (Marsigilo and Amato, 2001).

Hence, there is a terrific growth in the number of children of single parents. Single parenting is a major social problem on the rise among all communities. Single parenting is therefore viewed as the practice of raising children and building a family with either the biological mother or father (Materu, 2009).

Single parenting to the researcher simply means a person who has a child or children but no husband, wife or partner who lives with them. Also it can be referred to as one or more children dependent on one parent. In other words single parenting is the circumstance where by the family is leaded by only one parent due to various factors.

2.3 Empirical Literature Review

2.4 Effects of Single Parenting on family welfare; Physically, Mentally, Socially, and Psychologically of children

Single parenting is faced with many trials. Along are the problems on financial, emotional, and social aspects but even though it is hard to be a single parent. The elements such as financial, emotional and social aspect has be discussed in more details; where possible each of them should be given enough attention it deserve It also has a good result when it comes to the relationship between the parent and child the parent‟s problems have effects to the children (Kaimen, 2011), as it has been discussed below.

2.4.1 Physical effects

Children in single-mother homes are also more likely to experience health-related problems as a result of the decline in their living standard, including the lack of health insurance (Marsigilo and Amato, 2001). Later, as children from single-parent families become adults, are more likely to marry early, have children early, and divorce. Girls are at greater risk of becoming single mothers as a result of non-marital childbearing or divorce (Domina, 2005). Although the research findings are mixed on long-term effects, the majorities of children adjusts and recover and do not experience severe problems over time (Eamon, 2005).

When a human who is calm, affectionate and mentally healthy raises a child, that child will be the same way. When someone who is anxious, disorganized, distant, and mentally unstable raises a child, then most likely that child will be the same way. This is not 100% and is not absolute, but it is a pattern since a human brain develops based on how was parented during childhood (Kowalczyk, 2015).

A regular clarification for the troubles found among the children of single parents has been the absence of a male adult in the family (Marsigilo and Amato, 2001). The relationship between children and non-custodial fathers can be difficult and strained. Fathers often become disinterested and detached from their children; in one study more than 60% of fathers either did not visit their children or had no contact with them for over a year. The loss of a father in the family can have implications beyond childhood (Kowalczyk, 2015).

However, lack of a male presence may not be as critical as the lack of a male income to the family. The economic deprivation of single-parent family life, in combination with other sources of strain and stress, is a major source of the problems experienced by both parents and children (Marsigilo and Amato, 2001).

In sub-Saharan Africa, few studies paid attention to mother‟s marital status in their examination of children‟s nutritional status (Amoakohene, 2013). Others focused on female headed households (Materu, 2009). Few studies on under-5 mortality in sub-Saharan Africa examined family structure as key independent variable, with specific attention to single motherhood.

Omariba and Boyle, (2007) examined variations in the relationship between under-5 mortality and family structure across 22 Sub-Saharan African countries and the effects over time, with specific emphasis on polygyny. Children in single mother households were 16.3% more likely to die than those in monogamous union, and the relationship was found constant over time. In Clark &Hamplova, (2013), relative to continuously married mothers in 11 Sub-Saharan African countries, children of single mothers (premarital and divorced) were found to be more likely to die before age 5 years.

2.4.2 Mental Effects

According to 2012 U.S. Census Bureau information, the number of children reared in single-parent households continues to rise. Children with two parents in the home earning two incomes tend to have better financial and educational advantages. The effects of a single-parent home on a child‟s behavior can be far-reaching and impact several areas of life, including academic achievement and social behaviors (Marsigilo and Amato, 2001).

Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing steady growth in out-of-wedlock motherhood, marital instability, and widowhood exacerbated by wars and HIV/AIDS pandemic, which has resulted in a large number of single mother families in the region (Clark &Hamplova, 2013). For instance, in Cameroon, the population of married women who were separated, divorced or had absent spouses increased from 78,060 in 1976 to 129,000 in 2005 (65%) and widows increased from 299,690 to 475,930 (58%) within the same period (Minnesota Population Center, 2013).

In Nigeria, close to one million women aged 10–85 years old were either divorced or separated women in 2006, and 1.7 million were widowed (Nigeria National Population Commission, 2006:2009). In DRC, divorce and separation increased by more than 50% in all age groups of women aged 15–49 years, between 1984 and 2007; for instance, divorced and separated women aged 20–24 years increased from 3.4% in 1984 to 7.5% in 2007 (UNESA, 2013).

The proliferation of single mother families indicates that many children in sub-Saharan Africa are born and reared in single mother families. Studies in other regions, particularly in the West, associated single motherhood with many adverse effects on children‟s well-being, including poor nutritional status and lower chances for survival between ages 0–59 months (Bramlett& Blumberg, 2007).

2.4.3 Social Effects

Most single-parent households are run by mothers, and the absence of a father coupled with lower household income can increase the risk of children performing poorly in school. The lack of financial support from a father often results in single mothers working more, which can in turn affect children because they receive less attention and guidance with their homework (Ferrell, 2009).

Virginia (2011) concluded from data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, that for every $100 of child support mothers receive, their children's standardized test scores increase by 1/8 to 7/10 of a point. In addition, Abudu, Fuseini and Moses, (2013) found that children with single mothers who have contact and emotional support from their fathers tend to do better in school than children who have no contact with their fathers.

Single parenting can also be in the same way tormenting for the children as they depend on bonding and response to their needs in order to develop cognitively and socially. In a two-parent family, it is easier for one parent to respond to the child‟s needs in the absence of the other, but in a single-parent home, it can make bonding more hard. Without a lot of interaction elsewhere, this could hinder a child‟s social development (Martin, Emery, and Peris, 2004).

Under-5 mortality is a pivotal indicator of child wellbeing and human development of a country (Thomson &McLanahan,2012), and height-for-age is the best predictor of human capital (Domina,2005). Health in childhood affects productivity in adult life and reduces overall economic productivity in a country (World Bank, 2006). Child health and survival are, thus, consequential for human and economic development in sub-Saharan African countries (Oppong, 2004).

Relative to children raised in two-parent households, many studies, particularly in Western countries, associated single motherhood with poorer physical and mental health, and higher risk of mortality for children (Afifi et al, 2006). On the other hand, a few studies have also found that in spite of lower earnings, children in female-headed households experience better or equal advantage in nutrition compared to those in male-headed or two-parent households (Martin, Emery, and Peris, 2004).

This association is explained by mother‟s higher likelihood to invest in child welfare. The relative advantage of children in two-parent families in well-being is associated more with stable unions, especially of two biological parents (Amato, 2010; McLanahan, 2004). Conflictual marriages lead to as much disadvantage in child welfare as disrupted unions. In some cases, single parenting by a mother after separation is more advantageous for children, particularly if the father engages in high anti-social behavior (Jaffee & Moffitt, 2003).

 

 

2.4.4 Psychological Effects

There is research proof concluding that the effects on children‟s psychological well-being are massive when their parents‟ divorce or separate. Amsalu and Wagtaff (2006) offered several hypotheses as to which aspects of divorce had the greatest impact on children‟s sense of well-being. Notably, the amount of time children spent with the non-custodial parent and the emotional environment provided by the custodial parent were hypothesized as being contributory factors.

Having only one income earner in the home puts single parent households at risk for poverty (Afifi et al, 2006). Living in poverty is stressful and can have many emotional effects on children, including low self-esteem, increased anger and frustration and an increased risk for violent behavior. Besides financial constraints, other emotional effects of growing up in a single parent household may include feelings of abandonment, sadness, loneliness and difficulty socializing and connecting with others. Effects vary from child to child, however, and the individual parenting style of the single parent is also a big influence on the child‟s development (Ferrell, 2009).

In mother-only families, children have a tendency to experience short-and long-term economic and psychological disadvantages; higher absentee rates at school, lower levels of education, and higher dropout rates (with boys more negatively affected than girls); and more antisocial activity, including alcohol and drug addiction. Adolescents, on the other hand, are more negatively affected by parental disagreement prior to divorce than by living in single-parent families and actually gain in responsibility as a result of altered family routines ((Marsigilo and Amato, 2001). Children with single parents showed increased risks of psychiatric disease, suicide or suicide attempt, injury, and addiction. After adjustment for confounding factors, such as socioeconomic status and parents' compulsion or mental disease, children in single-parent households had increased risks compared with those in two-parent households for psychiatric disease in childhood (relative risk for girls 2·1 [95% CI 1·9–2·3] and boys 2·5 [2·3–2·8]), suicide attempt (girls 2·0 [1·9–2·2], boys 2·3 [2·1–2·6]), alcohol-related disease (girls 2·4 [2·2–2·7], boys 2·2 [2·0–2·4]), and narcotics-related disease (girls 3·2 [2·7–3·7], boys 4·0 [3·5–4·5]). Boys in single-parent families were more likely to develop psychiatric disease and narcotics-related disease than were girls, and they also had a raised risk of all-cause mortality (Ringbackweitoft, 2003).

Studies that explain the relative disadvantage of children in single mother families from the perspective of parental resource or socialization argue that the absence of one parent in a family reduces time resource available for monitoring and supervision of children. Combining work and parenting not only affects the time a single mother has for child care, but it also introduces stress that negatively affects her psychological well-being and parenting effectiveness. However, when close kin, such as grandmothers, are available to help in child care, the stress reduces, parenting becomes more effective, and child health and survival outcome is better (Gibson & Mace, 2005)

2.5 Causes of Single Parenting

Single parenting may crop up as a result of the following factors:

When a couple separates after cohabitation or a marriage and one of the ex-spouses has physical custody of the children. Again single parenting occurs when a woman gives birth to a child and does not live with the child‟s father or any other partner, male or female (McGadney-Douglass et al., 2005). Thus single parenting resulting from non-conjugal births. Single parenting may also occur when a father or a mother is widowed. In this case the parent assumes sole responsibility of nurturing a child. Further, it may happen when a single (divorced, never-married, or widowed) man or woman adopts a child. Single-parenthood may arise when either the male or the female decides to produce and rear a child or children outside wedlock (Materu, 2009).

Single parenting also occurs due to adoption which is a possible option for single people who feel deficient in life. Studies also show that Single parenting has become very common due to donor insemination which is the most contentious preference for building a family in the present day. Donor insemination is the process of accomplishing pregnancy through injection of semen into the reproductive tract of a female (Sear et al., 2002).

Single mothers who choose to conceive children through this option are becoming common particularly among the educated women. Teenage pregnancy also leads to single parenting and raising a child alone during teenage period is harsh. Teen single parents undergo stresses because of young age and inability to prepare for the future (Eamon, 2005).

According to Sear et al., (2002) divorce being an unwed mother, having a surrogate, adoption by only one person, being widowed, artificial insemination and abandonment are all potential causes of being a single parent. The number of widowed parents falls far behind the other reasons as the cause of single parenting. This is in sharp contrast to the past, as this was once the most-prevalent cause behind single parenting.

The census from 2000 shows that nearly 28 percent of children in the United States lived in single-parent households. As the growing body of research evidence indicates, there is no single cause for the declining well-being of children in single parent families, but rather many. No single explanation accounts for the differences, and some scientific support exists for each of the Thus, programs and policies are most applicable ways to be effective if they are comprehensive and multi-faceted, addressing multiple risk factors relating to single parenting and its effects to children (Ferrel, 2009). Smith (2008) said that of all single parent families, the most common are those headed by divorced or separate mothers who constitute 58% of cases of single parents studied. Never married mothers constitute 24%. Other family heads include 7% widows, 8.4% constitutefive perspectives: economic hardship, loss of parental support and supervision, lack of community resources, parental conflict, and life stress and instability (Ferrel, 2009). divorced and separated fathers, never-married fathers constitute 1.5% and widowers constitute 0.9%.

2.6 Theoretical Literature Review

2.6.1 Ecological Systems Theory

Ecological systems theory, also called development in context or human ecology theory, it is a theory that was developed by famous Psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917-2005). It identifies five environmental systems with which an individual interacts that include; the micro system, the mesosystem, the exosystem, the macro system, and the chrono-system (Afifi et al., 2006).

Human ecology theory is a way of looking at the interactions of humans with their environments and considering this relationship as a system. In this theoretical framework, biological, social, and physical aspects of the organism are considered within the context of their environments. This theory provides the framework from which community psychologists and sociologists study the relationships with individuals' contexts within communities and the wider society (Bramlett & Blumberg, 2007). This theory looks at a child‟s development within the context of the system of relationships that form his or her environment. Bronfenbrenner‟s theory defines complex “layers” of environment, each having an effect on a child‟s development. This theory has recently been renamed “bioecological systems theory” to emphasize that a child‟s own biology is a primary environment fueling her development (Afifi et al., 2006).

The interaction between factors in the child‟s maturing biology, his immediate family/community environment, and the societal landscape fuels and steers his development. Changes or conflict in any one layer will ripple throughout other layers (Clarks&Hamplova, 2013).

To study a child‟s development then, we must look not only at the child and her immediate environment, but also at the interaction of the larger environment as well. Bronfenbrenner‟s ecological systems theory focuses on the quality and context of the child‟s environment. He states that as a child develops, the interaction within these environments becomes more complex. This complexity can arise as the child‟s physical and cognitive structures grow and mature (Sear et al., 2002).

2.7 Conclusion

In conclusion to the researcher the Human Ecological Theory is the relevant theory to analyze this study as far as nature and nurture are concerned in children parental care. In this study, it was the relevant theory to analyze the study since it saw the instability and unpredictability of family life we have let our economy create as the most destructive force to a child‟s development (Marsigilo and Amato, 2001).

It states that as a child develops, the interaction within these environments becomes more complex. This complexity can arise as the child‟s physical and cognitive structures grow and mature. Family is the best thing that a child could ever wish for. It is difficult for a child specifically teenagers to live without a family especially without his or her parents. Our father and mother cannot be replaced by anyone (Eamon, 2005). Family has a great influence in our life in the sense that our personality reflects on what is the status of our family and on what has been the teaching of our parents to us. It also has a good result when it comes to the relationship between the parent and child. Due to Ecological Systems Theory that emphasizes that a child‟s own biology is a primary environment fueling her development the researcher can say it is true that the child‟s environment contributes a lot to the child‟s behavior change (Kibel and Wagtaff, 2006).

Therefore in order to maintain these single parent children, the parents have to make sure that their consequences and quarrels and whatever they suffer make the children free from stress and any harm physically, mentally, socially and psychologically. There are several characteristics of the body that can influence development in different ways. The first and broadest is the general health of the body. A person‟s health is determined by how effectively the various subsystems in the body function and the influences of environmental factors (Domina, 2005).

2.8 Research Gaps

From the literature review findings towards this study, it has been discovered that many researchers who conducted studies on effects of single parenting desired to investigate its effects versus child‟s academic performance or achievement, such as Mrinde (2014), Amoakohene (2013), Abudu and Fuseini (2013), they did not specifically research on the effects of single parenting on family welfare such as heath in terms of physical, social, psychological and mental. Also those who wrote about single parenting effects have tried to look at these effects educationally, economically and psychologically in some other places (Mrinde ,2014).None of these studies have been able to highlight the effects of single parenting on child‟s health in Temeke Municipality. Therefore this study targets to bridge the gap by assessing the effects of single parenting on child‟s health in Temeke Municipality. Although many researchers concentrated on the negative effects only, Single parenting can have positive effects on children as well, depending on other factors such as personality types and parenting techniques. According to Amoakohene (2013), positive single parenting did not show any negative impact on the social and educational development of the 12- and 13-year-olds participating in the study.

In addition, children in single-parent families may exhibit strong responsibility skills, as they are often called upon to help out more with family chores and tasks. Children in single-parent families often form close bonds with their parent, as they are closely dependent on each other throughout the child‟s life. Children from single-parent families may also form closer bonds with extended family members or family friends, as these people often help raise them (Abudu and Fuseini, 2013).

Therefore, this study would also be much concerned with looking at the negative effects of single parenting on child‟s health though there are other children who get single parent care (especially the mother only care) and still they are well organized as they perform well in their studies and have moral behaviors than those with both parents care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter presents the research methodology and designs used to carry out the study. Research methodology helps to explain how the study will be been carried out, how the research problem will be defined, and what data to  be collected with what methods and techniques (Kombo and Tromp, 2006). Methods of analyzing data are also explained. Kothari, (2004) suggested the contents of research methodology to include the research design, area of study (coverage), sample and sampling techniques, methods for data collection and techniques for data analysis.

3.2 Research Design

A research design refers to an arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data of the study in a manner that aims to combine relevance to research purpose with economy in procedure. Also the research design can be defined as the conceptual structure within which research is conducted (Kothari, 2004).

Research design will constitute the plan for the collection, measurement and data analysis. It is further well-known that a research design outfitted an order by arranging steps of activities to find answers to the research questions of the study. Mainly, there was no worldwide or correct design in conducting a research rather a design of the research was largely dictated by the nature of the study (Kombo and Tromp, 2006).

There are three basic types of research design: exploratory, descriptive, and causal or experimental (Kothari, 2004). This study will adopt a descriptive cross-sectional research design. This design will be adopted because it allows data to be collected from the target population at a single point in time and hence it is less cost full and less time consuming. Also the study will use both qualitative and quantitative methods. The advantage of quantitative research is that a lot of people‟s reactions can be measured with a limited amount of questions and comparisons as well as statistical aggregation of the data are possible. It is also possible to generalize findings (Kothari, 2004).

The study could be described as a survey research. The study would investigate the communities in Mtwara Municipality through selecting samples of single parents to find out single parenting and the health challenges confronting the children physically, mentally, socially and psychologically. This envisaged cross-sectional survey strategy would help to generalize for the population, and allow inferences to be made about the whole population at one point in time. In this study, the research design could be of both qualitative and quantitative (Kombo and Tromp, 2006). Moreover, Kothari, (2004) observed that qualitative studies aim at understanding and conveying respondents‟ life experience in a given social setting which is the case in this study because it focuses on assessing the effects of single parenting on child‟s health physically, mentally, socially and psychologically.

3.3 Study Area

Kombo and Troompt (2006) defined study population as an entire group that can be persons or elements that have at least one thing in common. Msabila and Nalaila (2013) defined target population as the population for whom the findings will be generalized or for which information is desired or relevant. The study will be intended to be conducted in Mtwara Municipality, Mtwara.

The area had many single parents based on the data of the Mtwae Social Welfare office for the 5 financial years from 2011/2012 to 2015/2016 there were about 2100 marriage conflicts that reconciled and that means every year there were 420 marriages that were in conflict per year, hence ended up with single parent families production that led 1863 children with single parenting care. According to these reports, there were 900 single parents, of whom 150 were male and 750 female with an estimated growth rate of 40% per year.

3.4 Population

Kothari, (2004) defined population as an arrangement of people or things that a researcher has in mind from which one can obtain information and draw conclusion. The study will be limited to single parents with children residing in the various communities in Mtwara Municipality of Tanzania. The population sample for this study came from the following groups of respondents who used to interact with the child as the stakeholder of the child. The population sample size for the study will consist of total of 50 respondents with gender balance.

The 50 respondents selected for the study included 15 single parents (both the employed and unemployed, literate and illiterate) 15 children or students (aged from 10 – 17 years) from single parent families living in mtwara Municipality for at least two years, 9 Social welfare Officers from Mtwara Municipal level, 4 Teachers (of both Primary and Secondary schools) and 4 medical personnel‟s from ligula and likombe Hospital and 3 GCD Police officers from Mtwara central.

 

 

Table 3.1: Profile of Respondents of the Study by Gender and Category N=50

Category of Respondents	male	Female	total	percentage
Single parented children	7	8	15	30%
Single parents	7	8	15	30%
Social Welfare Officers	4	5	9	18%
GCD Police officers	1	2	3	6%
Medical Personnel	2	2	4	8%
Teachers	2	2	4	8%
Total	23	27	50	100%

Source: Researcher‟s own configuration (2021)

3.5 Sample Size

Sample size refers to the number of items to be selected from the universe to constitute the sample (Kombo and Troompt, 2006). The size of the sample should neither be excessively large, nor too small. It should be optimum. An Optimumsample is one which fulfils the requirements of efficiency, representativeness,reliability and flexibility (Kothari, 2004).

A sample in research study refers to any group on which information is obtained(Kombo and Troompt, 2006). Whenever possible, a researcher would prefer to studythe entire population in which he or she is interested. However, this is difficult to dobecause most populations of interest are large, diverse, and scattered over a largegeographic area moreover, doing so would be time consuming and expensive.

Sampling, is normally used because it reduces time and labour. The sample size ofthe research is obtained from a special formular for calculating the sample size(Kothari, 2004).

3.5.2 Sampling Procedure

This study will employ purposive sampling in selecting respondents for interview and responding to the questionnaire. In this study, respondents will be chosen based on their willingness and capacity to answer to the questionnaire especially for the single parents and single parented children. SWOs from Municipal level, Medical personnel‟s from ligula and likombe Hospital will be selected randomly from their offices by using the registration bookswhich they sign when they inter in the work except for the GCD Police Officers from central Police Post.

Teachers from shangani Primary School and rahaleo Secondary School who will be selected purposely to be included in the study due to their skills and experiences that they have towards children affairs that was helpful to the researcher. Also the respondents will be selected according to the criteria of targeted population intended to be included in the study.

3.6 Data Collection Procedures

Data collection is a systemic way of gathering information, which is relevant to theresearch purpose or questions (Kothari, 2004). This study used two methods of datacollection. These methods include structured questionnaire as well as the interview.

The researcher decide to use these two methods of data collection due to these reasons; firstly, both the two methods will be less expensive.

Then, the interview will be appropriate approach for studying complex and sensitive areas as the interviewer had the opportunity to prepare a respondent before asking sensitive questions and to explain complex ones to respondents in person. Lastly, by using the questionnaire there was no face-to-face interaction between respondents and interviewer (Kothari, 2004).

This provided greater anonymity and made them more comfortable. Also in some situations when the sensitive questions were asked it helped to increase the likelihood of obtaining accurate information. Further details about these tools were given below (Kombo and Troompt, 2006).

3.7 Primary Data

3.7.1 Structured Questionnaires

Questionnaires are set of questions, which are usually sent to selected respondents to answer at their own convenience and return the filled questions to researcher (Kothari, 2004). It was the best method that guaranteed privacy and confidentiality. It saved time and cost of the research. In this study, questionnaires were administered to the respondents who were able to read, understand and write. These questionnaires will be written in English and translated in to Kiswahili. Semi – Structured lnterview: Semi- structured interview will be used as the main means of collecting primary data from the single parented children (pupils from shangani Primary School and rahaleo Secondary School). Respondents will be given a different set of guiding questions which were administered by the researcher in the form of one-to-one interview as well as group interview (Kombo and Troompt, 2006).

Social Welfare Officers from Municipal level, Medical personnel‟s from ligula and likombe Hospital will be selected randomly from their offices by using the registration books which they sign when they inter in the work except for the GCD Police Officers from Mtwara police and and Teachers from shangani Primary School and rahaleo Secondary School who will be selected purposely to be included in the study (Kothari, 2004).

3.7.2 Interview

Interviewing is a commonly used method of collecting information from people. In many walks of life individuals collect information through different forms of interaction with others. Any person-to-person interaction between two or more individuals with a specific purpose in mind is called an interview (Kumar, 2005). The interview method of collecting data involves presentation of oral- verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oral- verbal responses. This method can be used through personal interviews and if possible, through telephone interviews (Kothari, 2004).

3.8 Secondary Data

3.8.1 Documentary Review

The study will also be informed by secondary data using documentary review. Therefore, the researchers will gather information from different documents like journals, thesis, newspapers, articles, dissertations, books, case registers from Police and SW office and internet sources. A document, unlike a speech, can have an independent existence beyond the writer and beyond the context of its production (Kombo and Tromp, 2006).

This method contains data which have already being collected by different researchers and passed through the statistical process (Kothari, 2004). According to Kombo and Tromp, (2006) documentations involves delivering information by studying written documents, which act as an important source of data in many areas of investigation. The use of documentary methods refers to the analysis of documents that contain information about the phenomenon studied. Payne and Payne (2004) describes documentary method as the technique used to categorize, investigate, interpret and identify the limitations of physical sources, most commonly written documents whether in the private or public domain.

Kothari, (2004) defines documentary analysis as a process of reading various extracts found in the offices or places dealing with or associated with the issues related to what the researcher is investigating. Different journals, thesis, newspapers, articles, dissertations, books, case registers from Police and Social Welfare office and internet sources were reviewed in order to have a deeper understanding of the previous work and to find the knowledge gap that needed to be filled by this study.

3.9 Ethical Consideration

The study will follow the ethical procedures practiced by researchers in conducting research as per Stella Maris Mtwara University collegeprospectus 2020/2021. Informed consent; means voluntary agreement to participate in research. It is essential before enrolling a participant and ongoing once enrolled (Kothari, 2004). In order not to go against the principles of informed consent in the social research, the permission for the study will be obtained from the Stella Maris Mtwara University college to head of the study area.

Also letters of introduction will be sent to the District Commissioner for mtwara which will be the study area to ask for permission before the conduct. In this letter the purpose of the study will be clearly stated to the Mtwara District Commissioner and the assured confidentiality is a process of protecting the information of participant included in the research (Kombo and Tromp, 2006). The respondents will be assured that their identities would be concealed. They will be informed before about the aim of the study and will be assured of confidentiality of their data.

In achieving this principle, respondents will not to include their names during interview and in their questionnaire sheets which made difficult for people to identify them. Also, individual respondents will be assured of voluntary supplement from the study.

3.10 Validity and Reliability

Validity understood within the context of judging the quality or merit of a study is often referred to as research validity (Kothari, 2004). Validity gives a research design the ability to rule out alternative explanations of results (Kumar, 2005).

Reliability addresses the overall consistency of a research study‟s measure (Marczyk, 2005). Validity is all about accuracy and reliability is concerned with consistency.

3.10.1 Validity

Validity can be referred as the credibility or believability of the research. It involves the experimental concept and establishes whether results achieved meet all the requirements of scientific research method (Kumar, 2005). In this study collected data will be cross checked to see their validity and immediately after data collection all questionnaires will be checked for competence. All questionnaires were compiled for analysis and stored in a good environment at a researcher’s office.

3.10.2 Reliability

Kothari, (2004) took reliability as the extent to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistence results in which a study consistently is measured. The study will be given permission from the Regional level specifically in mtwara Municipal level and at the respective units and to all departments that data will be gathered. Questionnaires will be disseminated to all respondents who will be required and selected to participate in the study and then all filled questionnaires will be collected by the researcher and kept safe.

3.11 Data Analysis

There are many methods of data analysis for both qualitative and quantitative data (Kothari, 2004). In this study, the researcher analyzed data both qualitatively and quantitatively using Microsoft excels and SPSS (version16). The researcher applied quantitative analysis where the frequencies and percentage were used to decide the mass opinions. The main steps used to manage data incorporated were organizing and preparing the data for analysis, reading the data, coding, generating categories and finally data interpretation (Kumar, 2005).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPENDICES;I

Appendix 1: Interview Guide Questions for Children From Single Parent Families

DATE:…………………………………………………………………………….

SEX:………………………………………………………….……………………

AGE: …………………………………………………………………….…………

DISTRICT:……………………………………………………...…………………..

NAME OF SCHOOL:……………………………………………………………………………

CLASS:……………………………………………………………………………… Whom are you living with?

1. Where is your father/mother?

2. Who gives you money for school?

3. Why are you living with a single parent?

4. Do you get time to communicate with your parent whom you are living with?

5. Does the child from single parent family lack happiness?

6. Do children from single parent families mentally differ from those living with both two parents? give reasons

7. How does single parenting affect wellbeing of a child?

8. How regular do you communicate with your absent parent/his or her relatives/relatives?

9. How does single parenting affect your life?

10. Are the children from single parent families experience the problem of truancy to school?

11. What are the challenges that you are facing as the child from single parent families?

12. What are the causes of single parenting in your understanding?

13. How do children with single parents cope with their home problems?

14. Is there any effect when the child is staying with his or her single parent? Mention

15. How do you assess your life before and after being single parent family?

16. Do you get any support from the parent whom you are not living with?

17. What should be done to overcome the challenges facing the children from single parent families?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 2:

Mwongozo wa Maswali ya Usaili kwa Watoto (Kiswahili Edition)

TAREHE:………………………………………………………………………..….

JINSI:…………………………………………………………………….……..……

UMRI: …………………………………………………………………………………

WILAYA:……………………………………………………………………...……..

JINA LA SHULE:……………………………………………………………………………….

DARASA:……………………………………………………………………………

1. Je unaishi na nani? (Kama mzazi mmoja ameshafariki ruka swali la pili)

2. Je baba /mama yako anaishi wapi?

3. Je ni nani huwa anakupatia hela ya shule?

4. Ni sababu zipi zilizofanya ulelewe na mzazi mmoja?

5. Je huwa unapata muda wa kuzungumza na mzazi wako unayeishinae?

6. Je huwa unakosa furaha kwa sababu ya kulelewa na mzazi mmoja?

7. Je ni kweli watoto wanaolelewa na mzazi mmoja kiakili hawakosa wana watoto wanaolelewa na wazazi wote? Toa sababu

8. Kwa jinsi gani malezi ya mzazi mmoja yanaathiri maendeleo ya mtoto?

9. Je ni mara ngapi huwa unawasiliana na mzazi wako ambaye huishinae au ndugu zake?

10. Je ni kwakiasi gani malezi ya mzazi mmoja yanaathiri maisha yako?

11. Je watoto wanaolelewa na mzazi mmoja huwa na tabia ya utoro wa shule?

12. Changamoto zipi unazokutananazo kwa kulelewa na mzazi mmoja?

13. Je sababu gani huwa zinachangia kuwepo na familia ya mzazi mmoja?

14. Je watoto wanaolelewa na familia moja wanatatua vipi matatizo yao wanayokutananayo majumbani?

15. Je kuna madhara yoyote ambayo motto anapata kwa kulelewa na mzazi mmoja tu? Taja

16. Je unayatathimini vipi maisha yenu kabla na baada ya kuwa familia ya mzazi mmoja?

17. Je unapata msaada wowote kutoka kwa mzazi wako ambaye huishinae?

18. Je nini kifanyike ili kukabiliana na matatizo yanayowakabili familia zenye mzazi mmoja?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 3: Questionnaire Guide for Single Parents

SECTION I: Demographic Details

1. Gender:

Male (  ).   Female(   )

2. Age (Years from) : 10-17(   )  18-36(   )  37-45 (   )   46-55(   )  56+(   )

3. Marital Status: Widow (   ) Divorced (   ) Spinster(  )  Bachelor(  )

4. Education Level:  Illiterate  (  ) Primary (  ) Secondary (  )  Certificate(  )  Diploma(  )

  Degree(  )  Master‟s(  ) 

5. Are you employed?

Yes (  ). No (  )Self-employed (  ) 

SECTION II: Perception and general questions

6. What do you understand by the term single parenting?...........................................

.....................................................................................................................................

7. What are the causes of single parenting ?

.............................................................................................................................

8. How do you assess your daily life?

Excellent (  )   Good (  )  Poor (  )   Normal (  ) 

9. What are the effects of single parenting?

.............................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................

10. Do you like better your child‟s attitude or behavior?

Yes (  )   No (  ) 

11. Do you pay a visit to your child‟s school?

Yes (  )  No (  ) 

12. Do you assist your child with school work?

Yes (  )  No (  ) 

13. Do you get a help from your ex-husband/ wife/ any other relative?

Yes (  )   No (  )  some extent (  ) 

14. Who assists you in paying school fees for your child/children?

Ex-husband/ wife (  )   Relative (  )  Different people(  )   Own(  ) 

15. Is there any effect for a child to have single parenting?

Yes (  )   No (  ) 

16. Is there any difference in behavior between the child from single parenting and that with both two parents?

Yes (  )   No (  ) 

17. Is there any communication between ex-husband/ wife or relatives and your child?

Yes (  )   No (  ) 

18. Is the wellbeing of the child from single parenting and that with both parents differs?

Yes (  )   No (  ) 

19. Are you facing any problems or challenges in single parenting?

Yes (  )   No (  ) 

20. How do you see your child‟s behavior?

Good (  )  Bad(  )   Normal(  ) 

21. Is there any relationship between single parenting and child‟s  wellbeing?

Yes (  )   No (  ) 

SECTION III: Recommendation

22. What do you think should be done to overcome the problems/ challenges of single parenting in Mtwara Municipality?

.............................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 4: Dodoso kwa Ajili ya Wazazi (Kiswahili Edition)

SEHEMU YA I: Maelezo binafsi

1.Jinsi:  Me (  )  Ke (  )

2.Umri (miaka kuanzia) : 10-17(  ) 18-36 (  ) 37-45(  ) 46-55(  ) 5.56+(  )

3.Hali ya Ndoa: 

Mjane(  ) Mtaliki(wa) (  ) Hajaolewa (  ) Hajaoa (  )

4.Kiwango cha Elimu:  Hajasoma(  ) Msingi (  )  Sekondari(  ) Cheti

Stashada (  ) Shahada (  ) Shahada ya uzamili (  )

5. Je umeajiriwa? Ndio(  )  Hapana(  ) Nimejiajiri(  )

SEHEMU YA II: Uelewa na maswali ya jumla

6.Unaelewa nini kuhusu malezi ya mzazi mmoja?.......................................................

.........................................................................................................................................

7. Je ni sababu zipi kuu ambayo huchangia ongezeko la kuwepo kwa malezi ya mzazi mmoja?

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

8.Je unayatathimini vipi maisha yako ya kilasiku?

Mazuri sana(  )   mazuri(  ) ya dhiki (  )  ya kawaida(  )

9. Je ni athari gani anaweza pata mtoto kutokana na kulelewa na mzazi mmoja?

.........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................

10. Je unaipenda tabia ya mtoto wako?  Ndiyo (  ) Hapana (  )

11. Je huwa unatembelea shuleni kwa mtoto wako?  Ndiyo(  ) Hapana (  )

12. Je huwa unamsaidia mtoto wako kufanya mazoezi ya shule? Ndiyo (  ) Hapana (  )

13. Je unapata msaada wowote kutoka kwa aliyekua mumeo/mkeo/mzazimwenzio au ndugu yeyote ? Ndiyo (  ) Hapana (  )

14. Unapata wapi usaidizi wa kifedha kwa ajili ya kulipia karo za shule za watoto ?

Aliyekuwa mume/ mke(  ) Ndugu(  )Watu tofauti(  )  Juhudi binafsi(  )

15. Je kuna athari kwa mtoto akilelewa na mzazi mmoja?

Ndiyo (  ) Hapana (  ) kiasi  (  )

16. Je kunatofauti ya kitabia kati ya watoto wanaolelewa na mzazi mmoja na wale wanaokua na wazazi wote wawili? Ndiyo (  ) Hapana (  ) kiasi  (  )

17. Je una mawasiliano na aliyekua mumeo/mkeo/mzazi mwenzio au ndugu yake yeyote ?

Ndiyo (  ) Hapana (  ) kiasi  (  )

18. Je maendeleo ya mtoto anayelelewa na mzazi mmoja na Yule anayelelewa na wazazi wote hutofautiana? Ndiyo (  ) Hapana (  ) kiasi  (  )

19. Je nimatatizo au changamoto gani unazokabiliana nazo kama mlezi mmoja wa familia?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

20.Je unaionaje tabia ya mtoto wako? Nzuri(  ) Mbaya (  )Kawaida

21. Je kuna mahusiano yoyote kati ya malezi ya mzazi moja na afya (maendeleo) ya mtoto?

Ndiyo (  ) Hapana (  ) kiasi  (  )

SHEHEMU YA III: Mapendekezo

22.Nini kifanyike ili kukabiliana na changamoto zinazowakabili walezi wa moja wa familia katika Manispaa ya Temeke?

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 5: Questionnaire Guide for SWOs

SECTION I: Demographic Details

1. Gender: Male (  ) Female

2. Age (Years from) : 18-36(  ) 37-45(  ) 46-55 (  ) 4.56+(  )

3. Marital Status: Widow(  ) Divorced(  )  Spinster(  )Bachelor(  ) Married (  )

Education Level: Certificate (  ) Diploma(  ) Degree(  ) Master‟s

SECTION II: Perception and general questions

5. What do you understand by the term single parenting?

.............................................................................................................................

6. What are the major causes of single parenting?

.............................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................

7. What are the effects of single parenting?

.............................................................................................................................

8.Do you think these two children will be the same in school performance?

 Yes (  )  No (  )

9.Is the child from single parent family mental development differ from that with both two Parents.

Yes (  )   No (  )

10.Do children from single parent families have psychological problems than those with both parents ? Yes (  )   No (  )

11.Do children from single parent have mental problems from getting single parenting?

Yes (  )   No (  )

12.Do these two children differ in thinking capacity?

Yes (  )   No (  )

13. Do children from single parenting have the problem of expressing themselves?

Yes (  )   No (  )

14. Is there any relationship between single parenting and child‟s welfare?

Yes (  )   No (  )

SECTION III: Recommendation

15. What do you think should be done to overcome problems or challenges of single

parenting in Mtwara Municipality?................................................................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 6: Questionnaire Guide for Medical Personnel’s

SECTION I: Demographic Details

1. Gender:  Male (  ) Female (  )

2. Age (Years from) : 18-36(  ) 37-45(  ) 46-55(  ) 56+(  )

3. Marital Status: Widow (  ) Divorced (  )Spinster (  )Bachelor(  )  Married

4.Education Level: Certificate (  ) Diploma(  )Degree(  )Master‟s(  )

SECTION II: Perception and general questions

5. What do you understand by the term single parenting?

.............................................................................................................................

6. What are the major causes of single parenting?

.............................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................

7. What are the effects of single parenting?

.............................................................................................................................

8.Do you think these children will be the same in performance at school?

1. Yes 2. No

9.Is the child from single parent family‟s mental development differ from those with two parents?

Yes (  ) No(  )

10.Do children from single parenting families have psychological problems than those with two parents? Yes (  ) No(  )

11. Do children from single parent families have mental problems from getting single parenting?

Yes (  ) No(  )

12. Do you think these two children will differ in thinking capacity?

Yes (  ) No(  )

13.Do children from single parenting have the problem of expressing ?

Yes (  ) No(  )

14. Is there any relationship between single parenting and child‟s health or wellbeing?

Yes (  ) No(  )

SECTION III: Recommendation

15.What do you think should be done to overcome problems or challenges of single parenting in Temeke Municipality?................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 7: Questionnaire Guide for Police Officers

SECTION I: Demographic Details

1. Gender:  Male (  ) Female(  )

2. Age (Years from) : 18-36(  ) 37-45(  ) 46-55(  ) 56+(  )

3. Marital Status: Widow (  ) Divorced(  )Spinster(  )Bachelor(  ) Married(  )

4. Education Level: Primary(  ) Secondary(  ) Certificate(  )  Diploma(  ) Degree(  ) Master‟s(  )

SECTION II: Perception and general questions

5. What do you understand by the term single parenting?

................................................................................................................................

6.What are the major causes of single parenting?

.................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................

7.What are the effects of single parenting?

.................................................................................................................................

8. Is it true that children who offend and reoffend came from single parenting?

Yes (  ) No(  )

9. Do you think the parents who are not living with their children provide support to their

children? Yes (  ) No(  )

10.Is there any relationship between single parenting and child‟s health or wellbeing.

Yes (  ) No(  )

SECTION III: Recommendation

11. What should be done to overcome the problems or challenges of single parenting in Mtwara Municipality?

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 8: Questionnaire Guide for Teachers

SECTION I: Demographic Details

1. Gender:  Male (  ) Female(  )

2. Age (Years from) : 18-36(  ) 37-45(  ) 46-55(  ) 56+(  )

3. Marital Status:  Widow(  ) Divorced(  ) Spinster(  ) Bachelor(  ) Married (  )

4. Education Level: Secondary(  ) Certificate(  )Diploma(  )Degree(  )Master‟s(  )

SECTION II: Perception and general questions

5. What do you understand by the term single parenting?

................................................................................................................................

6.What are the major causes of single parenting?

.................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................

7.What are the effects of single parenting?

.................................................................................................................................

8. Is it true that children from single parenting face academic problems?

(  ) Yes (  )  No

9. Who are affected the most between girls and boys?     Boys (  )  Girls(  )

10. Do children from single parenting families differing from other children in academic performance?       Yes(  )   No(  )

11. Is there any difference in behavior between children who grew up with both parents and those from single parenting ?      Yes(  )   No(  )

12. Do children from single parenting families express their challenges freely to their Teachers to

get a help? ?       Yes(  )   No(  )

13. Does single parenting contributes to psychological problems to children?

Yes(  )   No(  )

14. Do children from single parenting have low self- esteem?    Yes (  )   No(  )

15. Is there any relationship between single parenting and child‟s welfare Yes(  )   No(  )

SECTION III: Recommendation

16. What should be done to overcome the problems or challenges of single parenting in Temeke Municipality?

..................................................................................................................................

THANKS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION