Single Mothers Research Articles

Rethinking the Concept of Families: A Sociological Study of Single Parenting in India

Single parent families are considered as a taboo in most of the societies especially when a family is a single parent family. Single parent families face tremendous challenges to sustain a family. They come across social, economic, psychological and several other challenges. When the challenges become grave and surrounds from all directions the achievements are overshadowed, this is what happens to a single parent. The hard work, success and achievements diminish behind the challenges posed by society and situations on a single parent. In this paper focus is put on the reasons behind increasing number of single parent families in India especially single mother headed families. The author in the paper brings forward the development of a new form of parenting in Indian society, using secondary research method and descriptive research design.

Empowering Single Mothers Group of Jasmine Strand Entrepreneurs Through Marketing and Financial Reporting Training

This community service aims to increase the knowledge and skills of the single mothers in entrepreneurial activity on the Jasmine strand regarding marketing, financial, and administration reporting knowledge. The method stages carried out in this activity were the combination method of interviewing, socializing, discussing, mentoring, and evaluating. The evaluation used a questionnaire, and the results were analyzed using descriptive techniques. The results of this activity showed that the members of this entrepreneurial group understood how to market their product better, conventionally and digitally. These SMEs also now better understand and apply the financial and administration recording matter. The evaluation result shows that most of the audience feels the training is valuable and easy to understand.

Poverty among Single Mothers in Japan and the Constraints of Modern Family Motherhood

Poverty among Single Mothers in Japan and the Constraints of Modern Family Motherhood

Media Image of Mothers and Motherhood on the Online Parenting Website mama:Du

The media play a significant role in promoting a new model of motherhood, observed in social life in Poland. The aim of this article is to reconstruct the media’s portrayal of motherhood and maternity. The research material comprises titles and leads of press articles published on the online website mama:Du. The methodological foundation is drawn from the premises of cultural linguistics and the processes of concept profiling. The research material distinguishes profiles such as a suffering and exhausted mother, a single mother, an independent mother, a (non)working mother, and a mother as a woman. Analysis indicates that despite changes in the social perception of a woman’s role, the website presents a unidimensional image of motherhood, reducing women to the mother-child dyad. This image aligns with the stereotype of the mother as a caregiver. However, there are sparse signals of overturning these prevalent stereotypes in texts showcasing mothers who call for alteration of established norms. Nevertheless, the feminine aspect of a mother, as a woman who takes care of herself and has her own interests beyond caregiving duties, remains invisible. Thus, the medium reflects a realistic, consistent with Polish realities portrayal of motherhood and maternity, gradual striving towards its transformation.

Maternal birthplace and experiences of perinatal healthcare in Belgium: Evidence from a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundPatient experience is an important part of perinatal care quality. Migrant women in high-income countries often report more negative experiences than non-migrants, but evidence in Europe is patchy. In this study, we compared the experiences of two migrant populations with non-migrants, taking into account socioeconomic characteristics. MethodsWe surveyed mothers born in Belgium, North-Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa (n = 877) using an adapted version of the Migrant-Friendly Maternity Care Questionnaire. Two patient experience scores were created using multiple correspondence analyses: a) information and communication with healthcare professionals and overall satisfaction with pregnancy care, and b) patient-centred aspects and satisfaction with delivery care. Through descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regressions we estimated the associations of maternal characteristics with each score. ResultsOverall, positive experiences were reported in terms of communication (83 %) and patient-centred care (86 %). North African immigrants with low language proficiency had higher odds of negative communication experience (especially problems understanding information) (ORa: 2.30, 95 %CI 1.17–4.50), regardless of socioeconomic position. Among women with language barriers, 88 % were never offered a professional interpreter, relying on family members for translation. Patient-centred care was not associated with maternal birth region but was rated more negatively by older mothers, those with longer residence in Belgium, and higher majority-language proficiency. ConclusionIn Belgium, perinatal care experiences were generally positive, although communication with immigrants was suboptimal. Language barriers, single motherhood, and unstable housing increased communication issues. Our findings underline the necessity to improve information-exchange with immigrants and socioeconomically vulnerable women.

The Influence of Single Mother Parenting on Adolescent LearningOutcomes in Metro Cities

The Influence of Single Mother Parenting on Adolescent LearningOutcomes in Metro Cities

Guardianship Law in India: Examining the Principle of ‘Best Interests’ of Minors and the Rights of Single Mothers as Sole Guardians

Guardianship Law in India: Examining the Principle of ‘Best Interests’ of Minors and the Rights of Single Mothers as Sole Guardians

The Role of Single Motherhood in America's High Child Poverty

Many claim a high prevalence of single motherhood plays a significant role in America's high child poverty. Using the Luxembourg Income Study, we compare the “prevalences and penalties” for child poverty across 30 rich democracies and within the United States over time (1979–2019). Several descriptive patterns contradict the importance of single motherhood. The U.S. prevalence of single motherhood is cross-nationally moderate and typical and is historically stable. Also, child poverty and the prevalence of single motherhood have trended in opposite directions in recent decades in the United States. More important than the prevalence of single motherhood, the United States stands out for having the highest penalty across 30 rich democracies. Counterfactual simulations demonstrate that reducing single motherhood would not substantially reduce child poverty. Even if there was zero single motherhood, (1) the United States would not change from having the fourth-highest child poverty rate, (2) the 41-year trend in child poverty would be very similar, and (3) the extreme racial inequalities in child poverty would not decline. Rather than the prevalence of single motherhood, the high penalty for single motherhood and extremely high Black and Latino child poverty rates, which exist regardless of single motherhood, are far more important to America's high child poverty.

Parenting Patterns and Child Behavior

This study aims to compare the parenting patterns of single and full parents and their impact on child behavior in Sementara, Pantai Cermin Sub-district, Serdang Bedagai Regency, Indonesia. Parenting plays a crucial role in shaping a child's personality and future. Based on Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory, the home environment, especially parental parenting, has the greatest influence on child development. This study focuses on three parenting styles: authoritarian, democratic, and permissive. Authoritarian parenting is characterized by strict rules and limited freedom, while democratic parenting prioritizes the child's interests and involves discussions between parents and children. Permissive parenting provides loose supervision and unrestricted freedom for children to behave and act as they wish. Previous studies have shown that single mothers tend to apply authoritarian parenting, resulting in spoiled children with difficulty interacting, while single fathers tend to apply permissive parenting, leading to more independent children who are easier to make friends. Additionally, authoritarian, democratic, and permissive parenting styles have been associated with aggressive behavior in children, obtained through social learning. Democratic parenting has been found to increase children's motivation and achievement at school, while authoritarian parenting inhibits children's socialization skills. This study provides important insights into the impact of parenting patterns on child behavior in the context of single and full parents in Sementara, Indonesia.

Singly Keeping Up: Common Implications of Inflation to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Single Mothers

As constant inflation rises, low- and middle-income earners have had to face difficulties and make adjustments to cope in their daily lives. In this context, single-parent households, who are mostly mothers, are more likely to face financial hardship. On the other hand, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are known for leaving their home country to support their families. In this regard, the study seeks to explore the perspective of overseas Filipino single mothers towards inflation and its common impacts on their lives. The study consists of six (6) participants, of whom the majority are from the Middle East. The researchers utilized snowball sampling techniques. The researchers also conducted a one-on-one, semi-structured interview via online platforms. The findings of this study identified five (5) major themes about inflation: economic issues, personal finances, global factors, government-controlled, and social issues, which were all connected. The findings of this study also identified four (4) major themes about the impact of inflation on OFW Single Mothers: limited financial capability, personal struggles, coping struggles, and falling exchange rate. The findings revealed that the greatest impact of inflation is mostly on financial struggles and looking for ways to overcome it through strict adjustments, affecting the prioritization of oneself.

An Exploration of Mother-daughter Painful Relationship in Feminist Cinema with Patriarchal Structures: A Case Study of Spring Tide

This article focuses on the mother-daughter painful relationship in Chinese feminist cinema, taking Spring Tide as an example, to explore the formation, manifestation and impact of this relationship in the context of the patriarchal structure. The film focuses on a three-generation story of mother-daughter relationships between an unmarried mother, Guo Jianbo, with her illegitimate daughter, Guo Wanting, and her single mother, Ji Minglan. As a female-centred film, the stereotypical image of mother and daughter is transformed in Spring Tide. In the ambivalence of the mother's love and hatred for her daughter, and the daughter's affection and rivalry for her mother, this film reveals the unique psychological structure and mode of relationship between females. Based on Lacan's "mirror stage" theory, this article highlights the function and plight of the mirroring between mother and daughter in the process of self-identification. In the patriarchal regime, the lack of female discourse leads the daughter to construct her ideal-ego in the mirror image of her mother but the alienated image in the mirror constrains the daughter's self-consciousness, which forms a complex relationship. It not only reflects the female-dominated diversified female relationship, but also implies the subjectivity plight of females in the patriarchal society. With the analysis of Spring Tide, this article discloses the profound significance of the mother-daughter painful relationship in feminist cinema which provides a new perspective for understanding the subjectivity of female discourse and suggests considerations for addressing the mother-daughter tension in future research.

An Exploration of Mother-daughter Painful Relationship in Feminist Cinema with Patriarchal Structures: A Case Study of Spring Tide

This article focuses on the mother-daughter painful relationship in Chinese feminist cinema, taking Spring Tide as an example, to explore the formation, manifestation and impact of this relationship in the context of the patriarchal structure. The film focuses on a three-generation story of mother-daughter relationships between an unmarried mother, Guo Jianbo, with her illegitimate daughter, Guo Wanting, and her single mother, Ji Minglan. As a female-centred film, the stereotypical image of mother and daughter is transformed in Spring Tide. In the ambivalence of the mother's love and hatred for her daughter, and the daughter's affection and rivalry for her mother, this film reveals the unique psychological structure and mode of relationship between females. Based on Lacan's "mirror stage" theory, this article highlights the function and plight of the mirroring between mother and daughter in the process of self-identification. In the patriarchal regime, the lack of female discourse leads the daughter to construct her ideal-ego in the mirror image of her mother but the alienated image in the mirror constrains the daughter's self-consciousness, which forms a complex relationship. It not only reflects the female-dominated diversified female relationship, but also implies the subjectivity plight of females in the patriarchal society. With the analysis of Spring Tide, this article discloses the profound significance of the mother-daughter painful relationship in feminist cinema which provides a new perspective for understanding the subjectivity of female discourse and suggests considerations for addressing the mother-daughter tension in future research.

Resilience and Matriarchal Values: A Study of Women and Single Mothers in the Minangkabau Community

In the matriarchal Minangkabau community of West Sumatra, women’s roles are often downplayed despite their substantial engagement in both public and private life. This study aimed to uncover the unique value system embraced by Minangkabau women, particularly their resilience and exemplary practices that contribute to local sustainable development. Women’s mental well-being is closely tied to global sustainable development goals, spanning education, non-communicable disease reduction, and social protection. Poverty-induced depression is common among widowed women worldwide, underscoring the need to explore how Minangkabau women respond to contemporary challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and economic hardships. Resilience, a central theme, is shaped by spiritual and environmental factors, fostering overall well-being. The “saparuik” family in Minangkabau society strengthens familial bonds and plays a pivotal role in nurturing resilience. The matrilineal kinship structure offers social security to families, but its impact on women’s resilience amid modern challenges requires further investigation. This study employed qualitative methods, specifically a case study design, to examine women’s experiences in rural areas (Padang Pariaman Regency) and urban settings (Padang City). Interviews with these women revealed a common thread despite their diverse backgrounds. While the Minangkabau matriarchal system may limit women’s influence within the family’s “saparuik,” women consistently embody strong matriarchal ideals when facing adversity. This research enhances our understanding of gender roles in matriarchal systems and underscores women’s crucial contributions to broader sustainable development. Minangkabau women’s resilience serves as a testament to their resilience and their ability to address contemporary challenges, making significant strides toward achieving sustainable development goals. Keywords: Resilience; Single Mother; Matrilineal; Minangkabau; Mental health; SDG’s

Impacts of COVID-19 shelter in place across key life domains among immigrant farmworker Latina mothers and young adults

ObjectiveIndividuals and families from racial and ethnic groups experience social and economic disadvantage making them vulnerable to the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to capture the impacts of Shelter in Place (SIP) across key life domains including family life, education, work, mental health, and coping strategies among a sample of Mexican-origin mothers who were currently engaged in agricultural work, or whose spouses were engaged in agricultural work, and young adults who had a parent working in agriculture.MethodDuring the summer of 2020, while California was under SIP orders, we conducted three virtual focus groups using Zoom(r). We recruited focus group participants from the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS), an ongoing, 20-year, longitudinal cohort study of Mexican-origin families in a predominantly agricultural area of California. Three focus groups were conducted with mothers (n = 9), mean age = 48 years, young adult women (n = 8) and young adult men (n = 5), mean age = 18 years, respectively.ResultsMothers reported high levels of stress stemming from fear of Covid-19 infection, work instability and financial concerns, children’s schooling, anxiety about an uncertain future, and the demands of caretaking for dependents. Adverse mental health impacts were particularly pronounced among participants experiencing multiple adversities pre-dating the pandemic, including unemployment, single motherhood, and having undocumented family members. For young adults, work instability and varying work hours were also a source of stress because they made it difficult to make decisions about the future, such as whether to attend college or how many classes to take. Families used coping strategies including expressing gratitude, focusing on what’s under one’s control, familismo, and community engagement to manage mental health challenges during SIP.ConclusionIn the event of future pandemics or disasters, particular attention is needed to those who experience unemployment, are undocumented and/or have undocumented family members, and/or are single parents facing economic adversity. During public health emergencies, action at the local, state, and national level is needed to support farmworkers and other vulnerable groups’ secondary major stressors stemming from inequities in access to affordable housing, childcare, living wages, healthcare, and other benefits.

Emotional experiences of single mother students at the university of la guajira: “a focus on the formation of entrepreneurs in emerging social environments”

Emotional experiences of single mother students at the university of la guajira: “a focus on the formation of entrepreneurs in emerging social environments”

The Development of Clinical Sociology in Malaysia

This article discusses the significant contributions made by Wan Halim Othman in the advancement of clinical sociology in Malaysia. Wan Halim, introduced as the progenitor of Clinical Sociology in Malaysia, has played a pivotal role in social issue management and his unique approaches have had a lasting social impact in the country. This article starts with the backdrop of the country and the main figure - Wan Halim Othman, and then discusses the various innovative and impactful initiatives that he has spearheaded using the clinical sociology approach. Programmes such as PINTAS and the social clinic exemplify the profound capacity of clinical sociology to address intricate societal issues. Wan Halim has effectively empowered marginalized communities and promoted social cohesion by implementing new strategies, like community mediation and support groups specifically designed for single moms. Though clinical sociology is gaining traction in Malaysia, much needed to be done to further recognize and institutionalize this discipline. Among the proposed next steps include the formalization of clinical sociology by implementing comprehensive curricula, hands-on training, and professional certification. The author emphasizes the significance of fostering collaboration among academia, government, and civil society in order to establish clinical sociology as an institutionalized field and effectively tackle urgent societal issues.

Gender and stigma in antiretroviral treatment adherence in Mozambique: A qualitative study.

Both gender and HIV stigma are known to contribute to poor retention to antiretroviral therapy (ART), but little is known how they interact in decisions about adherence or default by people living with HIV (PLWH). This qualitative study explored HIV stigma and gender interaction in PLWH's care decisions in Mozambique. Transcribed data from semi-structured interviews of 68 men and 71 women living with HIV, were coded and analyzed for themes of HIV stigma, gender norms and treatment continuation and interruption pathways, using both deductive and inductive coding approaches. Stigma experiences were found to be influenced by gender roles. Anticipation of stigma was common across the narratives of PLWH, while women had more experiences of enacted stigma, particularly by their intimate partners. Women's treatment interruptions were influenced by fear of partner's negative reaction. Men's narratives showed internalized stigma and delayed treatment due to anticipated stigma and masculine norm of strength. Severe internalized stigma was found among single mothers, who without economic or moral support defaulted treatment. Women's pathway to adherence was facilitated by their caregiver role and support from partner or kin family. Men's adherence was facilitated by experience of severe symptoms, provider role and by support from their mother or partner. Results indicate that linkage of stigma to gender roles interact in treatment decisions in three main ways. First, HIV stigma and unequal gender norms can work jointly as a barrier to adherence. Secondly, those resisting restrictive gender norms found it easier to manage HIV stigma for the benefit of treatment adherence. Thirdly, some gender norms also facilitated adherence and stigma management. Programs targeted at HIV stigma reduction and improving ART adherence among heterosexual populations should be built on an understanding of the local gender norms and include socially and culturally relevant gender sensitive and transformative activities.

Prevalence and predictors of multiple, concurrent public early childhood education utilization among head start children

With growing public investment in early childhood services, families enrolled in Head Start (HS) have increasing opportunities to participate in other public early care and education (ECE) programs. Using integrated administrative data from across Iowa’s service systems, we examined the prevalence and predictors of HS children’s multiple concurrent ECE service utilization the year before entering kindergarten, focusing on state pre-K and child care subsidy (CCS). Results showed that 61 % of children participating in HS additionally utilized other public ECE programs, with 44 % participating in state pre-K, 8.3 % in CCS, and 8.7 % in both. Utilization patterns differed based on child and family characteristics. Children who were Black, living in urban areas, or born to single mothers were more likely to participate in multiple, concurrent services, especially a combination of services that included CCS. Results imply that improving coordination and collaboration across various ECE public programs may support HS families’ needs.

A Comparison of Children’s Social Behaviors in Single Mother and Two Parent Families in Japan

The present study examined the differences between young children from single-mother families and those from two-parent families based on their prosocial behaviors and behavior problems. Mothers’ affectionate parenting was also compared. We collected data using a Japanese online survey company. A total of 335 women who had a 3 to 5-year-old child participated; 51.2% of which were single mothers. The mothers rated their child’s behavior problems and prosocial behavior and answered a questionnaire on affectionate parenting. The results indicated a significant interaction effect of family structure and child’s gender on children’s behavior problems. The scores of girls were significantly higher than those of the boys in single-mother families, whereas no such gender difference was found in two-parent families. Concerning the scores of children’s prosocial behaviors and the mothers’ affectionate physical contact, however, there was no difference between single-mother and two-parent households. Limitations of using internet surveys were discussed.

Regional disparities in measles vaccination coverage and their associated factors: an ecological study in Japan.

The decline in measles vaccination coverage is a global concern. In Japan, coverage of the first-dose of measles vaccine, which had exceeded the target of 95.0% since fiscal year (FY) 2010, fell to 93.5% in FY 2021. Vaccination coverage increased to 95.4% in FY 2022 but varied by municipality. Few studies have focused on regional disparities in measles vaccination coverage. This study aimed to clarify the regional disparities in measles vaccination coverage by municipality in Japan and their associated factors. In this ecological study, the measles vaccination coverage in FY 2022; population density; area deprivation index (ADI, an indicator of socioeconomic status); proportion of foreign nationals, single-father households, single-mother households, and mothers aged ≥30 years; and number of medical facilities, pediatricians, and non-pediatric medical doctors in 1,698 municipalities were extracted from Japanese government statistics. Negative binomial regression was performed with the number of children vaccinated against measles as the dependent variable, number of children eligible for measles vaccination as the offset term, and other factors as independent variables. Vaccination coverage was less than 95.0% in 54.3% of municipalities. Vaccination coverage was significantly positively associated with population density and negatively associated with the proportion of single-father households, mothers aged ≥30 years, and the ADI (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.004, 0.976, 0.999, 0.970, respectively). This study showed regional disparities in measles vaccination coverage in Japan. Single-father households, age of mothers, and socioeconomic status may be key factors when municipalities consider strategies to improve vaccination coverage.