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THE EFFECT OF SINGLE PARENTHOOD AND CHILD WELFARE

Chapter one 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Background of the Study Single parenthood is a phenomenon that has always been in existence and is as old as mankind. According to Dowd Nancy in (1997), a single parent is a parent, not living with spouse or partner, who has most of the day-to-day responsibilities in raising the child or children. The socialization of children is very important for the continuity of any culture. The family is said to be the most important agent of socialization, especially for children. Children in most communities are raised in a highly structured and disciplined manner, parents helped to instill and inculcate strong basic moral, spiritual, social, physical and cognitive principles in their children (Santrock, 2002). African system of raising children in extended family pattern has changed a great deal, with the advent of industrialization and globalization. Family lives have been disrupted with the rapid social change that comes with the globalization (Olaleye, Y.L et al, 2010). Many of the old customs and traditions which were taught and practiced for several years are becoming obsolete today. The modern culture has changed and out grown values and benefits that were thought to be the core believes and values of our society. What was unacceptable in the olden days is now becoming fast and rapidly rising trend. In Nigeria, the existence of single parenthood was unknown, and where they existed, they were ignored as exceptional cases. However presently, they are fast growing family patterns both inside and outside Nigeria, and have become even more common than the so-called “nuclear family”, consisting of a mother or father and the children (Tenibiaje M.O. et al 2011). Factors such as divorce, separation, death of a parent, unintended pregnancy or birth to unmarried couples, and single parent adoption are the major causes of single parenthood in our society today (Amato, 2000). In Nigeria, among the Yoruba’s, parental roles are culturally determined and distributed. The maternal roles are that of child rearing, home training and playing of complementary roles, while the paternal roles are that of economic responsibilities and discipline of children. The child is morally, mentally upright and emotionally balanced when the caring responsibilities are carried out by both parents. (Tenibiaje M.O, et al, 2011). When children are brought up by a single parent, it makes life more demanding and challenging on the parent. If this phase of the child’s life is not well managed, it might lead to maladjustment in life. When the subject of single parenthood is been discussed, it would almost certainly involve women since women are usually considered the primary care givers. Apart from being the primary care giver, she becomes the bread winner and head of the family. The demographics of single parenting show a general increase worldwide in children living in single parent homes (Jayson, Sharon 13 May, 2009). Single parenting has become an accepted norm in the United States and is an accepted trend found in many other countries. Debates concerning issues bothering on single parent households, and more have risen. Recently, the numbers of single parent families have increased drastically and it is gaining a global dimension. Hamburg (2004) opined that marital separation commonly involves major emotional distress for child relationship. About twice as many children from one parent families compare to two parent families drop out of school. 1.3 Statement of the Problem Parenthood is challenging enough even under the best of conditions. So, being a single parent in our society is tasking to say the least. This is because, with one parent, the challenges are multifaceted. Single parenting in our society has been the focus of much interest and research in recent years. (ChiemelieEzeobi 2011). According to FunmilayoOriyomi (2011), a communicator, “The effect of single parenting are far reaching because it does not only affect the parents, it also affects the children. In fact, the effects are more devastating on the part of the children because single parenthood leaves them with deep scars. Being a single parent is a very tough and challenging task. Many of the problems that single parents have, are similar to those of two parents family, but these problems seems more difficult to bear or manage when the home is being tutored by only one person. For example, all children feel hostile towards their parents as they grow-up and try to be independent. But in a situation, where the anger and rebellion are all directed towards one person, it may seem worse, if there is only one to bear it, not for the two to share. There are some problems that are exceptional, which are only faced by the single parent, which make it somewhat difficult to raise children. These problems include bitterness towards the absent spouse, loneliness, poverty and insecurity about raising children alone without a help. For these and some other reasons, single parents sometimes cling to their children or over indulge them. Members may unrealistically expect that the family can function like a two-parent family and may feel that something is wrong when it cannot. Children living with continuously married parents are not faced with much stressful experiences as those living with single parents. Although various schools define stress in different ways, but stress is generally seen as when external demands exceed peoples coping resources. This results in feelings of emotional distress, a reduced capacity to function in school, work and family roles, and an increase in physiological indicators of arousal. Children are increasingly socialized by influencers outside the immediate family. As a result of poor parental care and guidance caused by divorce, separation or death of a partner, children are exposed to potentially damaging situations (Olaleye, Y.L and Oladeji David, April 2010). When a mother is out of a home, leaving the children under the charity and mercy of step-mother, these children are prone to many problems such as poor feeding, negligence, not inspired to study or learn diseases and sicknesses, emotional disturbance (fear, insecurity) as such, they are not likely to perform up to expectation in school. Step parents do not show much love and affection to their step children. Thus, these children suffer from mental retardation, personality disorders and are miserable. They show behavioral response like lying, stealing, and playing truant in school. There is increase in domestic work and redistribution of household chores, which leave the children with little or no time for their studies (AdelaniTijani and Ogunbanwo B, 2008). 1.4 Objectives of the Study The objectives of the study are stated in two folds; a general objective and a specific objective. The general objective of the study is to examine the effects of single parenthood on children welfare in new Karu. Specifically, the research intends to find out the following: 1. To examine the effect of single parenthood no child psychological welfare 2. To examine the effect of single parenthood on child economic welfare. 3. To examine the effect of single parenthood on child behavioural welfare 4. To examine the effect of single parenthood on child educational welfare 1.5 Research Questions The following research questions were asked to serve as guide to the study: 5. What is the effect of single parenthood no child psychological welfare 6. What is the effect of single parenthood on child economic welfare. 7. What is the effect of single parenthood on child behavioural welfare 8. What effect of single parenthood o child educational welfare 1.6 Research Hypotheses 1. There is significant effect of single parenthood no child psychological welfare 2. There is significant effect of single parenthood on child economic welfare. 3. There is significant effect of single parenthood on child behavioural welfare 4. There is significant effect of single parenthood o child educational welfare 1.7 Significance of the Study This study is significance because it would help to enlighten policy maker in the educational sector and other concerned individuals and organizations on the negative impact of single parenthood on students academic performance. This study is significant on number of grounds. First, the study considers the effects of parental separation on student’s academic performance in secondary school. Thus, the study will help in advising principals of institutions on how best to manage the menace of poor academic performance of Nigerian students in the country. Furthermore, the study consider other variables like two parent structured homes, divorces, single parent-hood as factors that can equally affect academic performance of students. These thus, help in educating the educationists and school management towards engendering better educational standard in schools and the country at large. It is expected that the findings of this study will not only strengthen academic performance of students from two parent structured homes, divorces, single parent-hood in schools, but it will also engender improved performances of academic standard. It would be also be used as a reference material by other students and researchers who would research into the same or related area in the future. 1.8 Justification of the Study 1.9 Delimitation of the Study

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