According to Rampell (2010), a single
parent is an uncoupled individual who shoulders most or all of the
day-to-day responsibilities for raising a child or children. A mother is more
often the primary caregiver in a single-parent family structure that has arisen due to death of the
partner, divorce or unplanned
pregnancy. O’Hare (2011) stated that single parenthood
occurs in the forms of a family headed by a divorced parent, a family headed by
a widowed parent or a family headed by a single parent who is not married yet
or is a single parent by choice.
parent is an uncoupled individual who shoulders most or all of the
day-to-day responsibilities for raising a child or children. A mother is more
often the primary caregiver in a single-parent family structure that has arisen due to death of the
partner, divorce or unplanned
pregnancy. O’Hare (2011) stated that single parenthood
occurs in the forms of a family headed by a divorced parent, a family headed by
a widowed parent or a family headed by a single parent who is not married yet
or is a single parent by choice.
According to Pollitt (2009), single parent family is a household in which only one
parent lives with a child or children. Single parenthood as viewed by Achakpa
(2009) is the taking of family responsibility (which includes caring for
children)without the father’s or mother’s
contribution.
parent lives with a child or children. Single parenthood as viewed by Achakpa
(2009) is the taking of family responsibility (which includes caring for
children)without the father’s or mother’s
contribution.
Myles (2007) emphasized that stress is inherent in the situation of a
single parents trying to bring up children alone. The single parent may be
faced with different challenges which may include health, school performance
and other matter concerning the offspring, insecurity, financial pressure, lack
of companion in the home and the burden of bringing up children alone; all
constitute stressful conditions which take their toll on the health of women
who find themselves in the situation of being single parents. Single-parenthood
has to do with loneliness, hence many single parents find themselves feeling isolated
at one point or another. Single parents commonly experience difficulty with
role identity. Some form of social stigma is still attached to single-parent
states regardless of how it was acquired (Nwachukwu, 2006).
single parents trying to bring up children alone. The single parent may be
faced with different challenges which may include health, school performance
and other matter concerning the offspring, insecurity, financial pressure, lack
of companion in the home and the burden of bringing up children alone; all
constitute stressful conditions which take their toll on the health of women
who find themselves in the situation of being single parents. Single-parenthood
has to do with loneliness, hence many single parents find themselves feeling isolated
at one point or another. Single parents commonly experience difficulty with
role identity. Some form of social stigma is still attached to single-parent
states regardless of how it was acquired (Nwachukwu, 2006).
