Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
Single Parenting is the term we used for a person building a family or raising a child without marriage or without the present of husband or wife. Anyone can be a single parent depending upon the relationship you established with your partner. (http://singleparentphilippines.blogspot.com/2009/12/causes-of-single-parenting.html )
Single-parent families have become increasingly prevalent since 1950. In fact, one out of every two children in the United States will live in a single-parent family at some time before they reach age eighteen. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2002 about 20 million children lived in a household with only their mother or their father. This is one-fourth of all children in the United States. (http://www.healthofchildren.com/S/Single-Parent-Families.html#b)
Sometimes, this kind of family is caused by divorce especially in Western countries where this is legal. If the court finds the marriage unsuitable and no hope for reconciliation between the couple, the court has no choice but to grant the divorce. Apart from that, this is also caused by death of the partner. Many people said that life is too short and no one knows someone's death, and this unexpected happening may lead to some dilemmas to the other partner. (http://singleparentphilippines.blogspot.com/2009/12/causes-of-single-parenting.html)
Furthermore, the most common reason why this kind of family exists in the society is because of early pregnancy among teenagers. Teenagers nowadays are very curious and aggressive, and tend to feel being neglected by their parents for they are looking for someones attention to fulfill their need of love and affection they cannot feel when they are with their parents.
Teenage pregnancy is increasing rapidly these years at a pace of about 90% than ten years ago. This means the population is multiplying as days goes by. In beliefs and traditions, long time ago, teenagers were not allowed to get pregnant before they get married (usually in countries of southern Africa). They were penalized by paying heavy fines or sometimes were even burnt with fire. But nowadays, the cultures have loose value and people don't care and are not even bothered by this. (http://www.mylistmanager.co.za/ulscommon/publishing/General/9976_What_about_teenage_pregnancy.html).
Parenting is an unyielding job, but single parenting is even more unyielding challenge, because one parent fulfills the duty and responsibility of a father and a mother to their child/children. Single parenting needs a lot of patience and determination because it is highly demanding for you and your child.
Being a single parent in the Philippines is not so easy. Since our government does not do anything about it to help all of the single parents here in the country. So it only means one thing, single parents need to be creative and more open to all financial opportunity that can able to help them support their kids. It drains the body of every single parent, working like a dog at work, running a house hold. Provide their children of all their needs from food, shelter, education, medicine and clothing. It also drains their mind by thinking for the betterment of their child from their spiritual, emotional, social, physical and mental behaviors. Single parenting can change the totality of a person. Single parents should have a different method in molding the character of their child for they are prone from bullies and criticisms from other people. Single parents should learn how to deal and cope to the moods of their child. (http://singleparentphilippines.blogspot.com/search/label/SINGLE%20PARENT%20IN%20THE%20PHILIPPINES)
Changes in family values are very rampant today. Many people are giving broad definitions about family like gay couples, child free couples, grandchildren raised by their grandparents, single parenthood and even one’s self can be considered as family if one claims it; and how they can handle such situations they will be facing. Although at present, the traditional Filipino family is now slowly fading and are now moving into a modern type of families like single parenthood. Hence, this kind of family should be given respect in the society because of the problems they are facing not just within themselves but also with their children whom they live for; as well as the children who get affected with these issues.
Problems caused by single parenting do not only affect the mother nor the father but also their children.
The purpose of this paper is to provide information on the effects of single-parenthood on Filipino children.
B. Statement of the Problem
This study aims to answer this question:
1. What are the effects of single-parenthood to Filipino children?
C. Significance of the Study
Through this research, the researcher will be able to determine the common problems faced by single parents; these effects on children; and the coping measures of single parent to strengthen them.
Family. This will provide knowledge for them to provide emotional and moral support to their respective daughters who are single parents. Having one of the biggest roles in the student's support system, this will provide them additional knowledge in escorting their daughters towards success.
Single-Parents. Knowledge of this study will help single-parents cope their problems with regard in raising their child/children. This research will provide them some tips and recommendations in coping single parenting challenges.
Children. Children will also benefit from this study because they are the focus of researching this topic. The effects of the problems in single parent families on them as they are facing this complicated world.
Society. This research paper would be able to help people in the society to keep them more aware with these rampant and growing concern happenings in our country. Moreover, this could also help them accepting those issues present in our place.
Future Researchers. This could aid them and serve as a baseline data for other researchers who wish to improve the scope of the study. This may be used as a guide for those who aim to broaden and emphasize the concept of this study.
D. Scope and Delimitation
Children have been considered one of the factors that make a family; hence, this study focuses on the effects of single-parenthood on children.
Due to time constraints, this study will no longer discuss other causes of single parenthood such as divorce, death of partner, and choice. The researcher will concentrate more on the challenges both the single mother and the child are experiencing which affects them. In addition, the researcher believes that this issue regarding single parenthood should be given some focus on. Therefore, this study would be very helpful and relevant to the continuous changes here in our country in terms of family and society.
E. Materials and Methods
This research employs and informative and descriptive method since the researcher's aim is to inform, to describe and to discuss the effects of single-parenthood on children.
Information relevant to the study was gathered from some reference materials like journal articles from online sources. In addition, the researcher interviewed three students from a single parent family as well as two single parents - a teenage single mother and a single mother from separation.
F. Definition of Terms
Children. A young human being below the age of full physical development or below the legal age of majority. One that complete a family.
Family. In human context, it is a a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family)
Financial. Of or relating to finance.
Psychological. Of, affecting, or arising in the mind; related to the mental and emotional state of a person.
Single Parent Family. A household consisting of at least one dependent child and the mother or father, the other parent being dead or permanently absent.
Single Parent. Usually refers to a parent who has most of the day to day responsibilities in the raising of the child or children, which would categorize them as the dominant caregiver who is not living with a spouse or partner, or those who are not married. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_parent)
Teenage Pregnancy. is pregnancy in a female under the age of 20 (when the pregnancy ends). A pregnancy can take place at any time after menarche (the first menstrual period), which signals the possibility of fertility. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_pregnancy)
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