Experiences of single-parent children in the current Indian context

Abstract

Single-parent family structure involves only one parent responsible for rearing the child and their welfare. Among all types of families, single-parent families can have difficult individual and social experiences, which may affect both single parents as well as their children. Therefore, the present paper attempts to capture some of the lived experiences and social perceptions of single-parent children qualitatively in the current Indian context. A qualitative research method was adopted in which data collection was done using semi-structured interviews followed by thematic analysis. The sample consisted of 11 college-going young adults residing in Delhi-NCR with their single mothers since the early years of their lives. The results indicate that single-parent children participants had mixed experiences where some individuals' experiences were challenging; at the same time, other experiences led to positive changes and self-growth during the course of their lives. Findings suggest varied experiences of single-parent children in the Indian context, where 82% of participants reported additional "responsibilities" and 54% reported careful "decision making" process; lower "sense of belongingness," "social stigma," and higher "resilience" were reflected in responses by the majority of the participants (91%), and lastly, 73% reported difficulty in "emotional regulation." Experiences of single-parent children can be both positive and negative. Strengths such as an increased sense of responsibility, decision-making, and resilience can be considered while dealing with the unique challenges faced by them.