CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Single parenthood is a phenomenon that has always been in existence and is as old as mankind. According to Dowd Nancy in (2007), a single parent is a parent, not living with spouse or partner, who has most of the day-to-day responsibilities in raising the child or children. The socialization of children is very important for the continuity of any culture.

The family is said to be the most important agent of socialization, especially for children. Children in most communities are raised in a highly structured and disciplined manner, parents helped to instill and inculcate strong basic moral, spiritual, social, physical and cognitive principles in their children (Santrock, 2002). African system of raising children in extended family pattern has changed a great deal, with the advent of industrialization and globalization.

Family lives have been disrupted with the rapid social change that comes with the globalization (Olaleye, Y.L et al, 2010). Many of the old customs and traditions which were taught and practiced for several years are becoming obsolete today. The modern culture has changed and out grown values and benefits that were thought to be the core believes and values of our society. What was unacceptable in the olden days is now becoming fast and rapidly rising trend.

In Nigeria, the existence of single parenthood was unknown, and where they existed, they were ignored as exceptional cases. However presently, they are fast growing family patterns both inside and outside Nigeria, and have become even more common than the so-called “nuclear family”, consisting of a mother or father and the children (Tenibiaje M.O. et al 2011). Factors such as divorce, separation, death of a parent, unintended pregnancy or birth to unmarried couples, and single parent adoption are the major causes of single parenthood in our society today (Amato, 2000).

The maternal roles are that of child rearing, home training and playing of complementary roles, while the paternal roles are that of economic responsibilities and discipline of children. The child is morally, mentally upright and emotionally balanced when the caring responsibilities are carried out by both parents. (Tenibiaje M.O, et al, 2011). When children are brought up by a single parent, it makes life more demanding and challenging on the parent. If this phase of the child’s life is not well managed, it might lead to maladjustment in life. When the subject of single parenthood is been discussed, it would almost certainly involve women since women are usually considered the primary care givers. Apart from being the primary care giver, she becomes the bread winner and head of the family.

The demographics of single parenting show a general increase worldwide in children living in single parent homes (Jayson, Sharon 13 May, 2009). Single parenting has become an accepted norm in the United States and is an accepted trend found in many other countries. Debates concerning issues bothering on single parent households, and more have risen.

Recently, the numbers of single parent families have increased drastically and it is gaining a global dimension. Hamburg (2004) opined that marital separation commonly involves major emotional distress for child relationship. About twice as many children from one parent families compare to two parent families drop out of school.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The study on the effect of single parenting on child morals, behavior, and personality development came about as a result of poverty and insecurity about raising children alone without a help. Though single parenting is gaining acceptance, there is sometimes a social stigma associated with this family structure. Finally, most research has been carried out on single parenting, but not even a single research has been carried out on the effect of single parenting on child morals, behavior and personality development in cross River state.

1.3   AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main aim of the study is to determine the effect of single parenting on child morals, behavior and personality development in cross. Other specific objectives of the study include:

1. to determine the factors causing single parenting.
2. to determine the effect of single parenting on a child’s morals in the society.
3. to determine the effect of single parenting on the behavior of a child.
4. to examine the relationship between problems faced by children in single parent families and age of child at time of parental separation.
5. to determine the effect of single parenting on the personality development of a single parent child.
6. to suggest solutions to such problems.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the factors causing single parenting?
2. What is the effect of single parenting on a child’s morals in the society?
3. What is the effect of single parenting on the behavior of a child?
4. What is the relationship between problems faced by children in single parent families and age of child at time of parental separation?
5. What is the effect of single parenting on the personality development of a single parent child?
6. What is the suggested solutions to such problems?

1.5   STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0:    Single parenting has no significant effect on child morals, behavior and personality development.

H1:         Single parenting has a significant effect on child morals, behavior and personality development.

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study on the effect of single parenting on child morals, behavior and personality development will be of immense benefit to the entire Cross Rivers state in the sense that it will assist teachers, counsellors, child psychologists and administrators to have a better understanding of the factors that affect children from single parent homes, so that they can better appreciate the behaviours and attitudes of the children they teach or counsel. This knowledge will put them in a good stead to help and add value to the life of these children. It is also hoped that the result of this study will help practitioners to develop appropriate counseling techniques and programmes which if implemented will decelerate the speed at which single-parenting is growing; seeing that single parenting does not lend itself to the balanced moral, emotional, physical, social and educational development of children of such background.

1.7   SCOPE OF STUDY

The study on the effect of single parenting on child morals, behavior and personality development is limited to Cross Rivers State.

1.8   LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9   DEFINITION OF TERMS

Effect      A change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.

Single Parent.         A single parent is a parent that parents alone without the other parent's support, meaning this particular parent is the only parent to the child, responsible for all financial, material, and emotional needs.

Child       A young human being below the age of puberty or below the legal age of majority.

Moral       Concerned with the principles of right and wrong behaviour.

Behaviour       The way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others.

Personality     Refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. 

Development The process of developing or being developed.