Issues and Challenges Experienced by Solo Parents

An Undergraduate Thesis

Presented to

The Faculty of the College Arts and Sciences

University of La Salette Inc.

Santiago City, Isabela

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

CORPUZ, ERIKA

CORPUZ, CHRISANT JOY

CORTEZ, KYLE LINJE

MADRIAGA, APRIL JOY

TABERNA, JEMALYN

2021
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, praises and thanks to Almighty God, for his guidance and as he

showers us with blessing as we conduct, to complete the research successfully. The

completion of this research could not have been possible without the participation and

assistance of our groupmates. Their contributions are highly appreciated and gratefully

acknowledge. We also acknowledge the participation of our chosen respondents for this

study, without them we will not be able to gather data and finish this study.

We would like to express our deep and sincere gratitude to our research supervisor,

Ma’am Madeilyn B. Estacio, Ph.D. for giving us the opportunity to conduct research and

providing her invaluable guidance all throughout this research. Her sincerity, vision and

motivation have deeply inspired us to continue this study. She taught us the right

methodology to lift up the research and to present it professionally.

“No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The

wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. – Alfred Whitehead "
 DEDICATION

This work is a fruitful of countless sacrifices, through the researches’ effort this

work is heartily and proudly dedicated to the person who serves as our inspiration. From

our parents and guardians, to our classmates and other people who extend their help in

the midst of problem while doing this study. Thank you for your prayers and sacrifices.

This study is dedicated also to all Solo parents we know that being a solo parent

is twice the work, twice the stress and twice the tears but also twice the hugs, twice the

love and twice the pride that at the end of the day you stay strong to became a father or

mother figure to your child/children.

To the faculty of College of Arts and Sciences. Above all, to our Almighty God

showered us his blessings, courage, wisdom, and guidance in realization of this

workers.
 ABSTRACT

Single parents mean father or mother the one who is living alone with their

child/children without his/her partner, because of death, divorce, or separation. In a

case of divorce/separation generally, the mother is given custody of the children. Life is

hard for most single parent families in Philippines. A single parent need not be the

natural mother or father of the child as some individuals choose to become the single

parent by adopting the child. In this paper we determine the challenges faced by single-

parent. Life as a single parent is often associated with great demands and many

challenges. As broken marriage increases, the outcome is the production of single

parent in our community. Such situation does not only affect the couples; it also affects

their children. The primary aims to determine the challenges faced by solo parents and

to provide for a social work intervention program or project addressing the issues and

needs of the Solo parents in the community. The results of this study identify potential

for social change, increased awareness about the challenges experienced by solo

parents and enhanced management of government funding to better address the

despair faced by the respondents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Approval Sheet

Acknowledgement

Dedication

Abstract

Table of Contents

List of Table

List of Figures

List of Illustrations

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Research Questions/Hypotheses

Significance of the Study

Theoretical Background

Theoretical Framework
 Literature Review

METHODS

Research Design

Study Site and Participants

Population, Sample size and sampling method

Instruments

Data Gathering Procedures

Data Analysis

Ethical Considerations

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

Conclusion

Recommendation

REFERENCES

APPENDICES
 INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Single parenthood was perceived by society as a sign of failure. It was claimed to

be the source of child poverty, high rate of unemployment, school failure, and

delinquency amongst other problems. On the contrary single parenthood is a

phenomenon that has always been in existence and is old as mankind. According to

Dowd Nancy in (1997) a single parent is a parent not living with spouse or parent, who

has most of day-today responsibilities in raising the child or children. Parents are the

most fundamental part in a family, they have the biggest role and responsibility, they

build and create the succeeding generations.

According to Statista Research Department, in 2020, there were about 15.31

million children living with a single mother in the United States, and about 3.27 million

children living with a single father. The number of children living with a single mother is

down from its peak in 2012. In addition, there are almost 2.86 million single parent

families in the United Kingdom as of 2020, compared with over 3 million five years

earlier in 2015. Between 1996 and 2012 the number of single parent families in the UK

increased by almost 600 thousand, with that number falling to the amount seen in the

most recent year.

Based on a recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2019),

Philippines has about 15 million solo parents, 95% more than 14 million of whom are

women. As mentioned by Carleneth San Valentin, World Vision’s health and Nutrition

Manager; This could take a toll on their physical, mental and emotional well-being,
especially on women in poor communities. The disruption and even the loss of jobs and

livelihood is glaringly felt by women and this brought a heightened loss of resources to

meet their basic needs. The multiple burden of women is even more evident as the

home becomes a place of work.

Some researcher in the Philippines state that the increase of single-parent

families caused by divorce or separation has produced increasingly more children who

are being raised in one-parent families and more likely in single-mother families. The

number of marriage annulment cases in the Philippines has risen by 40 percent in the

last decade with at least 22 cases filed every day, according to a report by the Catholic

bishops' news agency. Citing data from the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), CBCP

News said the number of annulment cases had risen from 4,520 in 2001 to 8,282 in

2010. "The data from the OSG showed that 82 percent of those who filed these cases

had children and out of that number, 59 percent had at least one or two children, 22

percent had three to four children and one percent had five to six children."

The number of solo-parent families in the Philippines has grown rapidly as

society continues to grow and change through time. Based on the 2000 survey of the

National Census and Statistics Office, there are at least three million single parents in

the Philippines or 4 percent of the country’s total 76.5 million populations. The growing

numbers of solo-parent families are now so prominent in society that they become

important subculture and need to be accepted as a legitimate and valid unit of society

(Simbulan; 2008). It is also stated on the 2000 Census of Population and Housing by

the National Statistics Office the City of Santiago have a total of 902 Separated or

divorces to their partner or spouse. The age ranges to 20-80 and over.
When the subject of single parenthood is being discussed, it would almost certainly

involve women since women are usually considered the primary care givers. Knowing

the hardship, they experience raising their child/children alone they also encounter

Stigma and Stereotyping, Discrimination, work, personal and financial problems.

Purpose of the Study

The study aims to determine the challenges faced by solo parents and to provide for a

social work intervention program or project addressing the issues and needs of the Solo

parents in the community.

Research Question

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

1.1. Age

1.2. Gender

1.3. Highest educational background

1.4. Number of children

1.5. Monthly income

1.6 Employment status

 2. What are the challenges faced by single parent?

2.1. Personal Challenges

2.2. Financial Challenges

2.3. Parenting Challenges

2.4. Work Challenges

Significance of the study

Every research study has significance to the people and to the society. This study

intends to impart a detailed description of the issues and challenges experienced by

Solo Parents. More specifically, the findings are expected to contribute knowledge to

the existing literature about the challenges faced single-parent. This contribution will

add knowledge on dealing with this challenges in relation also to their parenting styles.

To be a solo parent is hard work involving anxiety and stress. Hence, the demand of

childbearing for single parents involves an enormous responsibility of nurturing children,

taking care of their present needs and planning and establishing their future. According

to the data the Philippines in the year 2000, solo parents constituted 2.9 or nearly 3

million if the country’s population. It cannot be denied that this phenomenon may have

dire implications and consequences. Because the ration of single mother is higher than

the single father this threatens to become a socio-economic menace. This study is

beneficial for the following:

Student. The student can be able to use this study in the future work. They can also

use the knowledge and understanding of a chosen field outside of the classroom and to

their future work.

Solo parent. This may help them to address the unsolved issues and challenges they

are experiencing in the society.

Future Researchers. The outcome of the study is beneficial to the neither present

researchers or the future researchers. This study may be one of the basis that a new

theory in learning will arise.

Theoretical Background

Trends in Solo parent families in Philippines have been increasing over the past

decades. This study attempts to understand the participants’ realities from their point of

view on how family structure impacts solo parents lives as well as their child/children’s

lives. When looking at outcomes of being a solo parent, it is important to consider some

of the factors that play a part in the families, such as economic resources, parental

styles of discipline, and social supports.

Family Deficit Model

The middle-class nuclear family, mother in the home, has traditionally served as the

ideal standard of American family life. Deviations from this family form have produced

outcries of concern that the family is decaying (Brandwein, Brown, & Fox, 1974; Glasser

& Navarre, 1965). Although we empathize with this concern, the emotionality of the

topic has clouded perceptions of some of the critical issues central to an understanding
of factors affecting the socialization of children. The assumption reconsidered in this

paper is that the nuclear family is the ideal way to rear and socialize children. A basic

tenet in much of the literature is that variations in the nuclear family will produce

undesirable deviations in children's personality, social behavior, and school success.

Although some deviations may emerge from variant family forms, the basic question, it

seems to us, is whether children from variant family forms show greater or lesser signs

of undesirable behavior than children from traditional nuclear families. It is reasonable to

assume that undesirable behavior can result from socialization in any family form.

However, one should question whether a given form is more likely to produce ineffective

adults than another. Regardless of the reason for the evolution of greater numbers of

variant family life forms, the fact is that there is no one standard family pattern. The

report of the White House Conference on Children (1970) delineated eight prevalent

variations of the American family including (a) the traditional nuclear family, (b) the

dyadic nuclear family, (c) the single parent family, (d) the three-generation family, (e)

old-age couples, (f) the institutional family, (g) the foster family, and (h) kin networks.

Furthermore, this report recognized a number of emerging experimental family

structures which equally affect children, e.g., the communal family, unmarried parent

and child family, and unmarried couple and child family. The common stance has been

to use a deficit model when describing variant family forms. For instance, Goldstein,

Freud, and Solnit (1973) argued from a deficit model perspective that the discontinuity

of divorce creates psychic damage in children because of the absence of a continuous,

stable role model. However, such a position may be an overstatement in its assumption

of dysfunctionality in attachment and personality development and projects the child as

a mere object of environmental effects. The alternative family forms examined are

common. The most prevalent deviation from the traditional mother at home nuclear

family form is the divorced family. Another derivative is the father or mother absent

family. Permanent separations are increasingly followed by remarriages (Glick, 1975).

While the structure of this particular form may look identical to that of the nuclear model,

interaction patterns may be quite different. The last family type viewed was the family

with an employed mother. The amount of concern raised by various groups about the

effects of employment of the mother on her children and the number of studies of this

phenomenon are evidence that this form is considered a variant. Unfortunately, there

has been little systematic research comparing children from various family forms on the

same dependent variables. Most of the research is quasiexperimental, usually without a

control group. In addition, it is cohort specific; there are few cross-cohort comparisons.

Therefore, our conclusions should be viewed as more suggestive than definitive.

Alternate family forms have been viewed as major contributing factors to delinquency.

Of 18 studies cited by Herzog and Sudia (1970) 7 upheld the relationship between

delinquency and single parent households, 4 found contrary results, while 7 were

inconclusive. These researchers noted several problems with these studies. Foremost

was the generally recognized fact that delinquent children from lower socioeconomic

and ethnic neighborhoods were more likely to be picked up, officially charged and

sentenced. Other effects of divorce should be noted. The economic level of the two

separate family units almost always drops, as income formerly spent on maintenance of

one household must now be spread over two. Economic discrimination against women

compounds the problem. Children are still more likely to remain with their mothers than
their fathers, putting the economic burden on the parent least likely to adequately

support them. Parental Absence Lynn (1974), in summarizing his literature review on

the absent father, says there is a negative relationship between father absence and the

child's general adjustment, especially in cases of separation, desertion, and divorce.

The conclusions we have drawn are less clear. Herzog and Sudia's (1970) extensive

review of the father absence research indicated that several forms of father absence

must be considered in assessing its impact. Therefore, multiple issues need be

addressed. In particular, was the absence temporary or permanent, and at what age in

the child's life did the separation occur? The complexity of the study of this problem has

led several reviewers to call for further qualifications in summarizing the available

research. Rosenfield and Rosenstein (1973) added the precipitating cause, duration of

absence, frequency of absence, amounts and kinds of contact, and emphasized that the

timing of the separation and the quality of the relationship which remains for the child

are important mediating factors. How the father is separated from the family and the

attitudes the family members have held for the father before separation are relevant to

the child's development. Knox (1970) found that death of the father resulted in

increased idealism about interpersonal relationships. In comparison, loss of a father

through divorce or separation may temporarily stimulate hostility and anger in the child

(NBC Special, Note 2). Before a divorce there tends to be more friction and

interpersonal conflict than is experienced prior to father absence due to death (Nye,

1957). This increases the likelihood of idealization of the dead father and hostility

toward the divorced father. Idealism of the dead parent may stimulate unrealistic

expectations about marriage and interpersonal relationships. For example, Bowerman

and Irish (1962) found that when the mother remarried, interpersonal adjustment toward

the new parent was higher in divorced than in widowed situations.

Theoretical Framework

Theory gives researchers a framework for making sense of their observations by

providing an overarching structure to their studies. Through use of a theoretical

framework, data that might initially seem unimportant or unrelated may be identified,

explained, or related to other data in meaningful ways (Maxwell, 2012). At the same

time, theory helps define the phenomenon being studied. It illuminates the data set and

helps focus attention on specific events or activities relevant for the research. When

researchers do not use theory to inform their research, they risk the possibility of failing

to raise and examine theoretically grounded questions and may generate findings of a

narrow or limited value. For this same reason, researchers must be cautious when

using theory, as while it may illuminate certain areas, other aspects may be overlooked

(Agar, 1980). Researchers may miss opportunities to establish new and creative ways

of framing phenomena (Becker, 2007).

 The reasos for
Effect of being a
being Solo
Solo Parent
parents

divorce creates psychic damage in children because of the absence

Devorce or separation
of a continuous, stable role model.

The economic level of the two separate family units may drops, as
Adoption by Single parent income formerly spent on maintenance of one household must
now be spread over two..

Solo parent by choice Economic descrimination against women.

Ther is a negative relationship between father absence and the

Unintended pregnancy child's general adjustment, especially in cases of separation,
desertion, and divorce.

Death of a partner

Review of Related Literature

Over the past 20 years single-parent households have become even more common

than the “nuclear family” which consists of a mother, father and children. More

commonly, is the presence of a variety of single parent households; that are headed by

mothers, fathers, and even grandparents who raise their grandchildren. Within this

literature review, there will be further discussion on single parent households and the

issues and challenges they experienced in in any aspects of their lives, as well as

examinations of single parent households and race, the societies perception of the

significance of parental involvement and their parental styles, and additional factors that

have continued to influence the solo parent’s roles.

Personal challenges

According to the study problem faced by single mother it stated that the single mothers

tend to suffer from a feeling of rootlessness and lack of identity after divorce/

widowhood. This is especially true of women whose identity was formerly associated

with that of their husbands. In many women, feelings of guilt, shame, resentment, anger

and anxiety about future are so dominant, that they bring out personality changes. Data

was collected in order to determine information regarding experience of mothers

following death of spouse, emotional problems faced by single mothers and strategies

adopted to overcome emotional problems. Research on stress in parenting has shown

that daily parental stressors can be exacerbated by other factors such as occupation,

social networks and support, finances, and other resources and these stressors are

even more compounded when associated with single parenting (Bronte-Tinkew et al

2009, Gibson-Davis 2008; Respler-Herman et al 2011). One conclusion from this body

of research is that single parents feel “more stress” on a daily life basis and that some of

this added stress is due to what is referred to as “task overload”. “Task overload” leads

to and encompasses having less personal time, less leisure time, less sleep and poorer

health and personal care of themselves (BronteTinkew et al 2009; Castillo 2010; Coles

2009; Coltart and Henwood 2012; Olson and Banyard 1993; Respler-Herman et al

2011; Riina and Feinberg 2012).

Financial Challenges

Acting as the sole provider of their child without a partner will generate a range
of economic challenges. As a single parent, they need to plan to handle all financial

conditions. It is also necessary to live within a reasonable plan and save money to cope

with unexpected emergencies. (Measom, 2019). The effect of financial distress on

health on 15 single parents was discussed in this research. According to The study

about Impact of Financial Hardship on single parents it is stated being alone wih the

financial responsibility the parent who took the primary custodial responsibility for the

child(ren) was construed to be the parent with the primary financial burden; a scenario

which was described by one participant as big trouble. Not having enough financial

resources to support their children and needing to rely on other people were described

as stressful and worrying. Participants represented themselves as trapped and helpless,

and constructed their position as one where there was a persistent battle with finances;

with the need to fight for everything. Participants described a range of feelings in

response to the constant worry about providing for a child a single person, including

feeling miserable and stressed. These feelings and stressors did not dissipate with time,

and were worsened by unanticipated life events.

Participants viewed money worries as being a central part of everyday life, and was a

repeated stressor which could not be avoided. The stress and the worry about food was

constructed as being constant and life-consuming, and was therefore something that

regularly occupied their thoughts. It was this sense of rumination about being unable to

provide necessities that lead to feelings of sickness, with some single parents

describing the bleakness of their current circumstances, with feelings of hopelessness

and depression. Often at the centre of this worry were concerns about providing food,

which were constructed as part of an ongoing daily struggle. 

Parenting Challenges

Single fathers may spend less time with their children than do single mothers because

children spend more time away from the home visiting their mothers than their fathers.

Parenting research has shown to have specific stress and gender role associations

which influence the lives of parents and children alike (Castillo 2010; Chesley 2011;

Coles 2002, 2009; Coltart and Henwood 2012; Doucet 2004; Johansson and Klinth

2008; Hofner 2009; Miller 2011; Nelson 2006; Respler-Herman et all 2011; Riina and

Feinberg 2012; Schindler and Coley 2006) and this more general body of research

leads into how gender roles are carried out in single parent households. Bronte-Tinkew

et al. (2010) found that there were differences in how parents conducted their parental

roles and responsibilities in single parent households in relation to the parent’s gender.

Single mothers and single fathers did daily tasks, play and household labor in different

manners, which will be explored below with relation to each (Bronte-Tinkew et al. 2010).

Work Challenges

The importance of employment to single parents becomes evident when the link

between poverty and unemployment is considered. It's hard enough to raise a family.

But for single parents struggling to make ends

meet, it is even more complicated. They need no more obstacles they need more

opportunities. There are different dilemmas that single working mothers may encounter
while raising their child on their own. It seems all too much for one person to deal with

sometimes, so they need to find time for themselves. (Srivastava, 2017). E.g., "She's

coming to work late, and she's always using the reason she's a single parent. I usually

don't mind if my workers come to work late as long as there's no urgent work that needs

to be completed. In her situation, we incur a lot of pending / backlog tasks, and most of

the time, she comes in when half of all working hours are already over."Sophie546.

("Solo parent, 2014)

 Methodology

Research Design

The study is using a quantitative approach and utilizing survey methods. The

quantitative approach focuses on using objective measures to analyze data in a

statistical way. Quantitative studies may determine the relationship between

independent variables and dependent variables or the outcome of variables (USC

Libraries, 2017). With regard to the survey methods used in this study, data from

targeted populations will be collected using a predetermined series of questions.

Participants and Research site

The study was conducted in City of Santiago. Santiago City otherwise known as the

“Queen City of the North” is the only independent component city in Region 2. It is

located at the southern portion of Isabela Province and the gateway to Cagayan Valley

wherein it is composed of 37 barangays. The researchers included only 13 barangays

for the study, the study had sixty (60) participants with ages ranging from 20-35 years

old. The participants come from different barangays in consideration with internet

stability, available gadget, referral of the participants and contact of the researchers.

Because of the pandemic, the threat of virus transmission and existing health protocols

restrictions, the researchers are unable to request the list and numbers of Solo parents

to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of Santiago and there’s

also limitation in travelling within and among barangays. Due to this reason, the
researchers decided to utilize probability sampling method. Since most of the

researchers are from the same municipality but from different barangays, we decided to

use simple random sampling because it is easier for us the recruit participants for our

research.

Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics of the 60 participants.

Table1.

Respondents’’ Demographic Profile

Characteristics Category Frequency Percentage

Age 20-25 22 36.7%

26-30 10 16.7%

31-35 28 46.7%

Elementary 8 13.3%

level

Elementary 3 5%

Graduate

Highest Educational High 9 15%

Attainment School

level
 5%

High 3

School

Graduate

College

Level 20 33.3%

College

Graduate 17 28.3%

Number of children 1-3 41 63.3%

4-6 17 28.3%

7-9 2 3.3%

10-Above 0 0%

Monthly Income 5,000-10,000 41 68.3%

10,000-15,000 3 5%

15,000-20,000 8 13.3%

20,000-Above 8 13.3%
 Employment Status Employed Full-Time 16 26.7%

Employed Part-Time 40 66.7

Unemployed 4 6.7%

Instrument

The researchers used modified questionnaire with the use of google form to gather

data. The questionnaire was form and based on the study focusing on The Issues and

challenges experienced by Solo Parents.

Questionnaires, this questionnaire was disseminated to the solo parents included in

the study. The participants included in the study are Solo parents at the age of 20-35 in

the target area- City of Santiago. The questionnaire covered the topics of the

respondents in terms of their profile as to their age, gender, Highest educational

background, Number of children educational, Monthly income and employment status;

as well as the challenges they encounter in personal, financial, parenting and work. The

validity if this instrument used is precise and easy to understand. The questions consist

of 10 items per variables, not offensive and comprehendible.

Data Collection Procedure

After the approval of the instrument to be used in conducting this research, the

researchers asked for the guidance and assistance from the research adviser Dr.

Madeilyn B. Estacio in flourishing the methodology to be used for the study. Considering
the current situation, it is risky for both the researchers and the respondent to meet face

to face for the survey. Given that majority of the researchers lived in Santiago City but

from different Barangay, the researchers decided to individually gather data in their

respective barangay and the neighboring barangay while observing the Covid-19 health

protocols.

Data will be collected via google form, the researchers were able to float questionnaire

and gather data to our respondents. There are also some instances that the respondent

can’t answer through the google form, with that the researchers will be the one to

answer the questions as they interview the respondents through the messenger

application. Included in the google form is consent letter asking for their time and

permission to be interviewed to complete the 60 (sixty) participants for this study. Prior

to this, the link for the google form was sent to the participant’s emails and messenger

account so the respondents can answer it when they have free time or time is

convenient for them. The answering of survey questionnaires was facilitated carefully in

a safe and confidential manner. The researchers also translated the questions in local

language to assist the participants and allowed them to understand, share and recount

their experiences through their own language.

Data Analysis

Upon the completion of the data gathering the researchers will move to study and focus

on a comprehensive analysis of the data gathered, to begin the researchers organized

all the most valid results possible. The researchers read and sort the respondents

answers and begin identify similarities and categorize the information answered by the

participants. Upon the completion of organizing the results the researchers begin to
interpret the data. This will consist of the researchers interpreting the meaning of the

information from the respondents answers and must represent and visualize the data.

Ethical Considerations

In this study the researchers considered some various ethical aspects of

conducting a research study. Prior to the beginning of this study, the researchers obtain

the consent approval from the research adviser, Dr. Madeilyn B. Estacio and conduct

this study by adhering all the guidelines and safety protocols against Covid-19 issued by

the government. We also seek permission from the respondents we gathered if they are

willing to participates and share their experiences to us. In addition, all the research

activities conducted by the researchers exercised with highest level of confidentiality

and full of clarity in the part of the respondents.

 Results

This chapter discusses the results and findings of the study. The study has completed

by 60 single parents residing in City of Santiago, Isabela Philippines. The participants

ages to 20-35 years’ old

Table 2.

Personal Challenges

In table 2, the results show the respondents responsesto the question about their

personal experiences. It states that majority of the respondents frequently find it difficult

to manage their time. Solo parents frequently lose their self-confidence. Sometime

being a solo parent makes them anxious and feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities.

Majority of the respondents feel tired and exhausted by their situation, they feel alone

and helpless. Sometimes they find it difficlt to allocate time for their self and everything

they do is not enough for the welfare of tier child/ren. And majority of the respondents

find it hard to give time to attend their child/ren school activities and find it hard to build

a good relationship and good communication to their child/dren.

Categories Never Seldom Sometimes Frequently Always

Q1 21.67% 5% 31.67 38.33 3.33%

Q2 8 13 16 22 1

Q3 4 4 26 24 2

Q4 3 3 19 32 4

Q5 2 5 18 23 11
 Q6 12 8 13 25 2

Q7 7 8 23 21 1

Q8 7 5 26 21 1

Q9 4 2 28 23 3

Q10 7 4 26 21 2

.
 Table 3.

Financial Challenges

Categories Never Seldom Sometimes Frequently Always

Q1 8 9 19 24 0
Q2 8 8 20 23 1
Q3 7 6 20 28 0
Q4 8 8 17 27 1
Q5 9 4 21 22 4
Q6 9 7 23 21 0
Q7 8 2 29 20 1
Q8 10 8 21 20 1
Q9 10 6 19 26 0
Q10 6 9 21 23 2

Table 4.

Parenting challenges

Categories Never Seldom Sometimes frequently Always

Q1 8 12 24 15 1
Q2 11 7 27 14 1
Q3 11 7 19 24 1
Q4 6 3 24 25 3
Q5 4 7 26 20 3
Q6 5 8 19 25 3
Q7 3 5 29 22 2
Q8 6 10 24 19 1
Q9 5 6 29 20 0
Q10 9 4 22 25 1
 Table 5.
Work challenges

Categories Never Seldom Sometimes Frequently Always

Q1 11 11 16 22 0
Q2 10 7 23 20 0
Q3 9 8 19 24 0
Q4 10 4 21 25 0
Q5 7 5 20 25 3
Q6 8 9 16 25 2
Q7 8 4 22 26 0
Q8 6 5 24 21 4
Q9 7 7 23 22 1
Q10 7 6 17 28 2

DISCUSSION
Conclusion
 Recommendation

Based on the results of the study, it is therefore recommending that solo parents

needs equal treatment especially in work place. to enhanced management of

government funding of programs to better address the despair faced by the

respondents. this programs or services may help them cop up with the different

challenges they experience.

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Illuminating the Experiences of Single Fathers

https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?

article=2963&context=open_access_etds
APPENDICES
 The Challenges Faced by the Solo Parent

Research Question

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of

1.1. Age

1.2. Highest educational background

1.3. Number of children

1.4. Monthly income

1.5 Employment status

2. What are the challenges faced by single parent?

2.1. Personal Challenges

2.2. Financial Challenges

2.3. Parenting Challenges

2.4. Work Challenges

 Questionnaire for Solo Parent

Name:______________________________________________

I.

Age

20-25 26-30 31-35

Highest Educational Attainment:

Elementary level Elementary Graduate

High School level High School Graduate

College Level College Graduate

Number of Children
 1-3 4-6 7-9 10-above

Monthly Income

5,000-10,00 10,000-15,000 15,000-20,000 20,000-Above

Employment Status

Employed Full-Time

Employed Part-time

Unemployed

II. Please rate how often you experience or engaged in the different problems listed

below. Do not leave each item unanswered. Please rate the extent to which you

agree or disagree with each of the following statements.

Never Seldom Sometimes Frequently Always

1 2 3 4 5
Personal Challenges

1 2 3 4 5

1. I find it difficult to manage my time between work

and parental activities

2. I lose self-confidence knowing that I am a solo

parent.

3. Being a solo parent makes me anxious

4. I Feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities.

5. I feel really tired or exhausted with my situation as a

solo parent.

6. I feel alone and helpless being a solo parent.

7. I find it hard to allocate time for myself.

8. I feel like everything I do is not enough for the

welfare of my child/children.

9. I find it hard to give time to attend my child/children

school, activities.

10. I find it hard to build a healthy relationship and to

communicate with my child/children.

Financial Challenges
 1 2 3 4 5

1. I find it difficult to look for other resources to pay the

house bills.

2. My income is not sufficient to support my child’s

education

3. I feel not capable of handling our financial in the

future

4. I find it hard on planning and budgeting our weekly

expenses

5. My income is not sufficient to provide for my

child/children health care

6. I find it difficult to give my child/children enough

nutritious food in every meal due to my income

7. My income is not sufficient to buy them new clothes

8. My income is not sufficient to provide what my

child/children want.

9. My earning is not enough to cover the house rent/

amortization.

10. I can’t save money for my child’s future.

Parenting Challenges
 1. I find it difficult to discipline my child.

2. I find myself struggling to try to change how my child

thinks or feels about things.

3. I feel guilt when my child envies friends with two

parents at home

4. I find it hard to deal with my child’s emotions

appropriately

5. I find it difficult to explain the consequence of my

child/ children bad attitudes.

6. I’m having a hard time raising my child/children

7. I’m aware of my child/ren’s problems or concerns as

he/she/they grow older

8. I explode in anger towards my child/children due to

the difficulty of raising them alone.

9. I find it hard to give time to attend my child/children

school, activities

10. I find myself struggling on securing my

child/children’s future.

Work Challenges
1. I experience discrimination at work being a solo

parent.

2. My work application was refused due to my status

as a solo parent.

3. I miss promotion opportunity due to my status as a

solo parent.

4. I miss work-related training opportunities due to my

children.

5. I can’t commit to overtime work due to my

responsibilities as a solo parent.

6. I consume more than the allowed number of

employee’s leaves due to family matters.

7. I come to work late due to family matters.

8. I find it hard to adjust with my working schedules

9. I find it hard to focus on my work due to my parental

responsibilities

10. I get paid lower due to my status as a solo parent.