Unmarried Mothers Research Articles

미혼모의 사회적 지지와 미혼모지원제도 인식 수준이 자립의지에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study is to understand the effect of social support of unmarried mothers and the level of awareness of the unmarried mother support system on their will to become independent. To this end, data of 145 unmarried mothers in the 00 Unmarried Mothers Association were used for the final analysis. As a result of the analysis, among the sub-factors of social support, evaluation support and parenting and care among the sub-factors of the level of recognition of the unmarried mother support system showed a statistically significant positive (+) relationship with the will to become independent. Based on these research results, I would like to make the following suggestions. First, the related system should be supplemented with customized support that meets the needs and needs of unmarried mothers and fathers, and in addition, a strong support policy should be supported so that unmarried mothers can become economically independent by recognizing the qualifications for basic supply regardless of employment status or income. Second, it is necessary to strengthen the promotion of individual programs of the unmarried mother support system, improve the delivery system, and change social awareness. Third, since the subjective health status affects the will of unmarried mothers to become independent, it is required to prepare health support and mental health programs for unmarried mothers to raise awareness of the subjective health status. Based on the results of this study, I hope that practical and policy discussions to improve the will of unmarried mothers to become independent will be activated

“I felt I should be there, all these people talking on my behalf without consulting me”

In the early 1970s, Cherish, the first support and advocacy group for unmarried mothers run by unmarried mothers, emerged into the mixed economy of welfare in the Irish Republic. The self-help aspect of the organisation was fundamental to its sociopolitical agenda to remove the stigma associated with unmarried motherhood and the legal status of illegitimacy, to secure welfare payments for this group and to reframe Irish understandings of what constituted a legitimate family. This article explores how Cherish reflected and contributed to a particular moment in Irish gender and welfare history, when notions of responsibility, the role of religion and the state were being redefined. It reveals how the organisation engaged with and reshaped the existing mixed economy of welfare by reframing understandings of expertise, challenging inherent moral biases, and broadening the concept of family.

Single mothers' perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion, parenting stress, adverse childhood experiences in early childhood and Black children's behavior problems in middle childhood and adolescence.

This study examined the roles of neighborhood social cohesion, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and parenting stress in early childhood on child behavioral outcomes in middle childhood and adolescence among socioeconomically disadvantaged Black families. To test a model linking perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion, single mothers' parenting stress, ACEs, and behavior problems in middle childhood and adolescence. We used four waves of longitudinal data from a subsample of 800 unmarried Black mothers and their children (at child birth and ages 3, 5, 9, and 15) from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a nationally representative data set. Structural equation modeling with latent variables was used to measure direct and indirect effects. Mothers' perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion were significantly and negatively associated parenting stress (β = -0.34, p < 0.05); parenting stress was significantly and positively related to adverse childhood experiences (β = 0.40, p < 0.05) and behavior problems (β = 0.32, p < 0.05); Adverse childhood experiences were significantly and positively related to behavior problems (β = 0.26, p < 0.05); and behavior problems were indirectly influenced by neighborhood social cohesion through adverse childhood experiences (β = -0.14, p < 0.05) and parenting stress (β = 0.10, p < 0.05). Neighborhood factors may play a significant role in parenting stress, adverse childhood experiences in early childhood, and children's behavior problems in middle childhood and adolescence among some single mothers and children in economically and socially disadvantaged Black families. Interventions that enhance neighborhood social cohesion and foster supportive interactions among community members and organizations are recommended.

Parenting Amid Shadows: Exploring the Child-Rearing Experiences of Wives of Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder.

The pervasive impact of alcohol use disorder (AUD) within families, particularly on parenting roles in Kerala, India, necessitates an in-depth exploration. This study aims to uncover the unique challenges and coping strategies employed by wives of individuals with AUD against a backdrop of societal stigma and economic hardship. This study, employing a qualitative narrative research design, delves into the experiences of 30 wives of men with AUD in Kerala. The study delves into the complexities of navigating parenting responsibilities amid challenges related to AUD, employing in-depth interviews with the aid of a semi-structured interview guide conducted in Malayalam.​​​​​The researchers used narrative analysis to extract the themes related to coping mechanisms, resilience, and the impact on children's psychological health. The study highlights significant emotional and social burdens on wives, including solo parenting, financial strain, and social stigma. Despite these challenges, the resilience and adaptive strategies of these women stand out, with extended family support, community resources, and personal beliefs playing crucial roles in their coping mechanisms. The study points out variations in coping strategies across different socio-economic and educational backgrounds. The findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive support systems sensitive to the socio-demographic differences among families affected by AUD. Tailored interventions that enhance access to professional support, foster community solidarity, and provide economic assistance are critical. Moreover, efforts to reduce stigma and promote understanding are essential for improving the psychological health and overall quality of life of these families.

Psychological aftermath: Exploring the role of the woman as a leader in the Greek monoparental family: Review

Objective: To reassess the social problem of the socially vulnerable group named women leaders of monoparental families in terms of legislation, allowance policy and job benefits, among others. Design: Systematic review. Data sources: 18 electronic and book references as well as high impact journals without geographical restriction up to December 2011 were gathered from International organisations including the EU and OECD. Review methods: A reviewer applied inclusion criteria and extracted data from the latest available reports on monoparental families of Eurostat and OECD. The data came from low-, middle-, and high-income countries. Statistical rates for the proportion of the monoparental families on an international level as well as their possibility of falling below the limit of poverty were employed. Comparison was drawn between two countries under Troika’s surveillance. Results: The search identified 2 scientific researches pertaining to the hardships women as leaders of monoparental families encounter. One was conducted from the Research Center for Equality Issues and the other was published in the journal the Rostrum of Asclepius. All outcomes were self reported. It was found that the most severe problems that women as leaders of monoparental families encounter are health ones, the caring and guarding of their children as well as their professional settlement. Yet, the most vital one is the lack of allowance policy. This approach bears fruits in Ireland. It is mandatory that allowance policy along with implementation of other social structures to form a basis for the support of the monoparental families. Conclusion: Future policy concerning monoparental families must focus on establishing legislation and intervention programs that will assist the woman as a leader of the monoparental family to be assimilated in the society. Allowance policy for the mother/father must be reinforced and not abandoned as it happens nowadays.

Effects of the Momentum project on postpartum family planning norms and behaviors among married and unmarried adolescent and young first-time mothers in Kinshasa: A quasi-experimental study.

This study evaluated the effect of Momentum-an integrated family planning, maternal and newborn health, and nutrition intervention-on postpartum family planning norms and behaviors among ever married and never-married first-time mothers age 15-24 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Using data collected in 2018 and 2020, we conducted an intent-to-treat analysis among 1,927 first-time mothers who were about six-months pregnant at enrollment. Difference-in-differences models were run for panel data and treatment effects models with inverse-probability weighting for endline-only outcomes. Average treatment effects (ATE) were estimated. Momentum had positive effects on partner discussion of family planning in the early postpartum period (ever married 15-19: ATE = 0.179, 95% CI = 0.098, 0.261; never married 15-19: ATE = 0.131, 95% CI = 0.029, 0.232; ever married 20-24: ATE = 0.233, 95% CI = 0.164, 0.302; never married 20-24: ATE = 0.241, 95% CI = 0.121, 0.362) and discussion with a health worker, and on obtaining a contraceptive method in the early postpartum period, except among never married adolescents. Among adolescents, intervention effects on modern contraceptive use within 12 months of childbirth/pregnancy loss were larger for the never married (ATE = 0.251, 95% CI = 0.122, 0.380) than the ever married (ATE = 0.114, 95% CI = 0.020, 0.208). Full intervention exposure had consistently larger effects on contraceptive behaviors than partial exposure, except among ever married adolescents. Momentum had no effect on normative expectations about postpartum family planning use among adolescents, and on descriptive norms and personal agency among those who were never married. Results for normative outcomes and personal agency underscored the intersectionality between young maternal age and marital status. Future programs should improve personal agency and foster normative change in support of postpartum family planning uptake and tailor interventions to different age and marital status subsets of first-time mothers.

THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF SELECTED FILIPINO FEMALE SOLO PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER DURING A STATE OF HEALTH EMERGENCY

This paper explores the lived experience of selected Filipino female solo parents raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during a state of health emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing qualitative phenomenological investigation, semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The study employed purposive sampling and snowball techniques to gather valuable data. Results highlighted that solo parent of children with ASD encountered exacerbated difficulties, including emotional burdens, communication challenges, financial constraints, and adjustments to remote learning. They also grappled with the role of a full-time solo parent, isolation from social life, and navigating changes in social interactions. Despite these hardships, participants reported receiving support from both their immediate families and communities. They embraced protective roles for their children with ASD, adopting specialized caregiving techniques while setting boundaries and discipline. As they moved forward, these solo parents demonstrated acceptance of their childrens conditions, acquiring specialized child-rearing skills, and strengthened faith. KEYWORDS: autism spectrum disorder, COVID-19, Female solo parents, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, solo parents

PENGARUH SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TERHADAP TINGKAT PENGETAHUAN TENTANG TIGA MASALAH KESEHATAN REPRODUKSI REMAJA

PENGARUH SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TERHADAP TINGKAT PENGETAHUAN TENTANG TIGA MASALAH KESEHATAN REPRODUKSI REMAJA

The role of controllability, resources, and effort in reducing prejudice against "unmarried" mothers.

The term "unmarried" mothers is widely used in South Korea to indicate that carrying a baby without marriage is not culturally acceptable. A societal stigma, which single mothers experience, causes more abortion and doubles the burden of parenting alone. This study aimed to identify what type of information (onset/before pregnancy controllability, offset/after pregnancy ability and effort) contributes to reducing stigmatization toward unmarried mothers. The findings showed that offset effort information has a robust impact on participants' cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses toward mothers of newborns out of wedlock across the three studies (n = 275; n = 266; n = 227, respectively) with different targets (a minor and an adult of 25 years old) and different participants (college students and adults above 30 years old). This pro-effort bias increased behavioral intentions of helping single mothers through the moderators of onset controllability and offset ability and the mediators of cognitive and affective responses. In particular, Study 2 found individual differences, such as type of interpersonal attitude, gender-role attitude, and family communication style moderated the relationship of offset effort with behavioral intentions. Mothers who made an effort to build a better future were ascribed fewer negative stereotypes, evoked more positive emotions, and were considered to deserve more help and support from the public. The findings have implications for communication interventions to lower prejudice against unwed mothers in South Korea. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Impact of Independent will of Unmarried mothers Living in Community after Leaving the Facility on the Quality of Life: Mediating Effect of Social Capital

Impact of Independent will of Unmarried mothers Living in Community after Leaving the Facility on the Quality of Life: Mediating Effect of Social Capital

As a solo parent and a doctor, I know firsthand the challenge of balancing childcare and career

As a solo parent and a doctor, I know firsthand the challenge of balancing childcare and career

‘I have to pretend that I don’t care’: Stigma management among unmarried young mothers in South-Western Nigeria

ABSTRACT Young mothers often encounter stigma and discrimination, affecting their lives and that of their children. This paper explores stigma management strategies and their effectiveness for young mothers in rural Nigeria. Ten key informants and 24 young mothers were recruited from Ife-East in South-Western Nigeria. Data from semi-structured interviews showed that societal disapproval of pregnant teenagers and young mothers were common experiences. Women used a range of strategies to actively cope with stigma including: belief in predestination, avoidance, concealment, and cohabitation. These strategies could be seen as tools to mitigate negative stereotypes and discrimination. However, they also had the unintended consequences of compounding many young women’s difficult circumstances and exposing them to adverse outcomes, including gender-based violence, repeat pregnancies, poor mental health, and low uptake of services. The results show the need for policy frameworks to actively combat stigma by addressing the negative framing of early pregnancy and motherhood and promoting supportive environments for young mothers. Health professionals need to be trained to offer de-stigmatising services to encourage young mothers to seek help and reduce pre-existing inequities in access to services, and policies need to include measures that address the rights of young mothers and protect them from violence and abuse.

Religious and Community Leaders' Perspectives on Minor Marriage Resulting From Unwed Pregnancy

Instances of unwed pregnancy leading to teenage marriage are common throughout different areas. Recently, adultery has become more common in Indonesian society, particularly in the community of Kota Bambu Utara subdistrict. Teenagers in North Bambu City Village nowadays are therefore frequently involved in the problem of promiscuity, which leads to adultery, and as a result, many of them become unwed mothers who later get married while still pregnant. The purpose of this study is to find out what the religious and community leaders in Kota Bambu Utara Village, Palmerah District, think about underage marriage as a result of unwed pregnancies. This kind of research is qualitative in character and falls under the case study category. The key sources of data for this study were informants who provided primary sources. The primary sources of information for this study were religious and community leaders in Kota Bambu Utara Subdistrict. Researchers used documentation, interviews, and observation to gather data for their study. The study's findings indicate that, despite the marriage law's regulation of the legal age restriction for those seeking marriage, underage weddings resulting from unwed pregnancies typically happen between the ages of 15 and 17. A minor who does not meet the conditions for marriage must request a dispensation from the West Jakarta Religious Court in order for their marriage to proceed. A number of circumstances, such as the individual's behavior, influences from parents and family, a lack of education and religious understanding, and social elements in the area, can lead to underage marriage owing to unwed pregnancy.

DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS, BURDEN, AND EMERGENCIES

Abstract Caregivers of people living with dementia face multiple barriers, including social isolation, mental health problems, limited time for themselves, and limited support services. Navigating emergencies, including hospitalization, financial loss, and natural disasters, can exacerbate the burden that dementia caregivers face. This study examined dementia caregivers’ perspectives on burden, emergencies, and emergency preparedness. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a predominantly female sample of fourteen dementia caregivers living in Florida. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis methods to define codes and identify themes. Results showed all dementia caregivers identified the term burden as having a negative connotation about their experience and the person living with dementia. Dementia caregivers predominantly stated that they cared for their family members out of love and a sense of responsibility. Findings also showed individual and caregiving experiences (e.g., being a single mom or having a previous caregiving role) prepared dementia caregivers to define and encounter emergencies. Understanding caregivers’ perspectives of burden, emergencies, and emergency preparedness is essential to developing evidence-based interventions and support services that aim to mitigate the adverse effects of emergencies on caregivers. Implications of using preferred terminology and recommendations for providing person-centered emergency planning will be discussed.

Infant mortality and its determinants in Uganda 2016: Using a geographically weighted regression approach.

Infant mortality (IM) represents the overall health of a country or region as it relates to access to medicine, health care, and clean water in a population. IM remains understudied in many areas of Uganda, as many studies are from urban the capital (Kampala). The long-term goal of this research is the mitigation of IM and poor pregnancy outcomes in Uganda. Insights gained from geographic distribution of IM will allow adaptation of diagnosis, treatments, and interventions within the studied areas. Through using OLS and geographically weighted regression, this study has explored the significant factors and their heterogeneous and scaling effects in 2016 across Uganda. The empirical findings from this study include a significant association between IM and both being unmarried and preferring to speak Luganda when interviewed. Those unmarried may lack a social network to assist with income, childcare, and household chores representing decreased resources. Additionally, being interviewed in Luganda was associated over a large geographic area, which may represent not being comfortable in English, which is the language of education, commerce, and presumably health care, thus suggesting a disconnect with health care settings. These data suggest that strides can be made in Uganda by providing targeted resources to areas with high rates of unmarried mothers and those areas with high rates of Luganda as their language of choice.

Using a systems perspective to examine child protection systems and practice: A scoping review on child abandonment and institutionalisation in the Maghreb

The Maghreb (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco (including Western Sahara), Tunisia) has high rates of child maltreatment and child abandonment, leading to high rates of child institutionalisation. This review aims to provide an estimate of the prevalence of children in institutions in the countries of the Maghreb and to compare and contrast the child protection systems in the region. Using a scoping review approach, we identified 44 relevant studies from databases including Academic Search Premiere, Africa-Wide Information, Policy file Index, Google, and Google Scholar. Estimated children in institutions were as follows: Algeria 550,000, Libya 80–145,000, Mauritania 45,850, Morocco 471,006, and Tunisia 140,000. Common elements included limited child protection resources, lack of transparent databases, limited separation between religion and state, Shariah's influence on social and cultural norms, and a kafala system, an Islamically prescribed from of permanent guardianship for abandoned children. Mauritania and Tunisia had dedicated child protection codes, and all countries except Libya reported to the CRC. The literature indicates that components of the child protection systems in the countries of the Maghreb are fragmented with competing purposes, prioritising existing communitarian cultural mores over child protection. High rates of child abandonment and institutionalisation in the region result from inadequate child safeguarding structures and the stigmatisation of unmarried mothers and their children. Kafala, is a common element of Maghrebian child protection systems, with little alternative care provision, such as foster care. The scoping review highlights the opportunity to develop and adapt existing child safeguarding and alternative care structures and practice between countries of the Maghreb. Intra-regional research is urgently needed to facilitate changes and reduce rates of child abandonment and institutionalisation.

Solo Parents Profile and Students Classroom Engagement in Public Secondary Schools, City Schools Division of Dasmariñas: Basis for an Intervention Scheme

Solo Parents Profile and Students Classroom Engagement in Public Secondary Schools, City Schools Division of Dasmariñas: Basis for an Intervention Scheme

Awareness and Availment of Services of Solo Parents as Provided in Republic Act 8972

Awareness and Availment of Services of Solo Parents as Provided in Republic Act 8972

Lived Experiences of RA 8972 Solo Parent Act of 2000

This paper explores the lived experiences of solo parents of Cebu City upon the conception of RA 8972 known as the Solo Parent Act of 2000. An in-depth study of the solo parent’s plight in their daily challenges in terms of financial and time management, disciplining and instilling time-honored values in their children, and social stigma. A shared narrative on circumstances that lead them to become a solo parent, the availability and enjoyment of solo parent benefits as mandated by law. Utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, a qualitative research method, it explores an in-depth investigation of the participants' lived experiences. Ten solo parents from different age groups were interviewed as participants. The study goes to the fluidity of parental roles away from the lenses of society as it covers LGBT members’ acts as parents to some. It becomes evident in the study that solo parents developed fortitude as they stay in control of the status quo solidified family relationships, acts as home counselor, and hope for the future. Sustainable livelihood programs, scholarships for vocational courses, access to legal aid services, and personality and development training are recommended to uplift the lives of every solo parent, edifying the principle of social justice.

Zero-inflated Poisson regression analysis of factors associated with under-five mortality in Ethiopia using 2019 Ethiopian mini demographic and health survey data

Background Remarkable reduction in global under-five mortality has been seen over the past two decades. However, Ethiopia is among the five countries which account for about half (49%) of all under-five mortality worldwide. This study aimed at identifying factors associated with under-five children mortality in Ethiopia using the 2019 Ethiopia mini demography and health survey data. Methods The most recent national representative demography and health survey data of Ethiopia, 2019 Ethiopia mini demography and health survey data, were used for this study. Count data regression models were applied to identify the factors associated with under-five children mortality. Statistical significance was declared at P-value less than 0.05. Results Zero-Inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression model was found to be the best model compared to other count regression models based on models comparison Criteria. The ZIP model revealed that decreased risk of under-five mortality was associated with mothers aged 25–34 years, unmarried mothers, mothers delivered in health facility, mothers used Pill/IUD, mothers who had larger number of children at home whereas increased risk of under-five mortality was associated with older mothers at their first births, mothers from rural areas, mothers travel for 1–30 min and &gt;30 min to get drinking water, mothers used charcoal and wood, children with higher birth order and multiple births. Conclusions In this study, place of residence, region, place of delivery, religion, age of mother, mother’s age at first birth, marital status, birth order, birth type, current contraceptive type used, type of cooking fuel, time to get drinking water, and number of children at home were statistically significant factors associated with under-five mortality in Ethiopia. Thus, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and other concerned bodies are recommended to encourage mothers to deliver at health institutions, give awareness for mothers to use Pill/IUD contraceptive type, and facilitate rural areas to have electricity and drinking water near to homes so as to minimize the under-five mortality to achieve the sustainable development goal.