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THE IMPACT OF SINGLE~PARENT FAMILY STRUCTURE ON THE
CHILD’S EMOTIONAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL~ECONOMICAL
WELL~BEING IN MOROTO DISTRICT, KARAMOJA
REGION NORTH EASTERN UGANDA
BY
JAPIEL SALIM
BDS/37232/ 121/DU
A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE COLLEGE OF
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF
THE AWARD OF A BACHELOR’S DEGREE
IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES OF
KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY
APRIL, 2015
DECLARATION
I JAPIEL SALIM do hereby declare that this research report has been purely my own
effort and has never been submitted by anybody for the Award of Degree in any
University or institution of higher learning.
RESEARCH ER
JAPIEL SALIM
Signature*
Date:
APPROVAL
This research report has been done under my supervision and ready to be submitted to
the College of Humanities and Social Sciences for examination with my approval.
SUPERVISOR
MPABAISI K. TOM
signature/li1
Date:
DEDICATION
This report is dedicated to my beloved Mum Aujo Amelenia and Hon. Aleper Simon
Peter, Sisters: Atim Zainab, Achan Zubeda, Achiro Fatuma, Awoko Dawa; Brothers:
Ogengo Shaban, Lomilo Ibrahim, Obonyo Musa, Onecho Juma and my late father
Japiem Ali Murisal.
III
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, I give Honour and Glory to the Almighty God who gave me good
health, wisdom, knowledge and hope in this study.
During the preparation of this research paper, I was blessed by many people whose
contribution, correction and encouragement made the task much easier and up to its
final completion.
A special note of thanks goes to my beloved Mum Aujo Amelenia and Hon. Aleper
Simon Peter, Sisters: Atim Zainab, Achan Zubeda, Achiro Fatuma, Awoko Dawa;
Brothers: Ogengo Shaban, Lomilo Ibrahim, Obonyo Musa, Onecho Juma and my late
father Japiem Ali Murisal.
I am most grateful to my supervisor Mr. Mpabaisi K. Tom whose close supervision,
guidance and thoughtful insights helped me get a clear view to write th!s report.
May the Lord bless you all.
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION
APPROVAL ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
LIST OF TABLES ix
ABSTRACT x
CHAPTER ONE~ I
I NTRODLJCTION~ 1
1.1 Background of the study I
1.2 Statement of the Problem 2
1.3 Objectives 2
1.3.1 General Objective 2
1.3.2 Specific Objectives 2
1.4 Research Questions 3
1.5 Significance of the study 3
CHAPTER 1W0
RE’~IIE’tAI OF RELi~1’ED LITERA1LJRE 4
2.0 Introduction 4
2.1 Reasons for Single Parenthood 4
2.2 Single parent characteristics 6
2.3 Problems encountered in single parenting 7
2.4 Children’s Basic Rights & single parenting (Reflect on the Conventions) 10
2.4.1 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 10
2.4.2 The African Charter 11
V
2.4.3 Constitution of Uganda~ 11
2.5 Government action 12
2.6 Community Based Organizations (CBO5) and Non Governmental Organizations
(NGO5) 13
2.7 Conclusion 14
cIIAPrER 1’HREE U~~ftflfttd~d~flUU*bU~ 1.5
~ E~1I1ODOLOG’Y’ ,,,,.uaauw.a..ou...n~ua.u.nubug.*...s.,..uuu.,~ 15
3.0 Introduction 15
3.1 Research sign 15
3.2 Area and the Population 15
3.3 Sample Framework 15
3.3.1 Sample Size 15
3.3.2 Sample Technique 16
3.3.3 Sample Procedure 16
3.4 Methods and tools of data colledion 16
3.4.2 Sources of data 17
3.5 Data Processing 17
3.6 Data Analysis 18
3.7 Ethical Considerations 18
CHAPTE~~. FOLJ~~ 19
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINDINGS 19
4.1 Biographic characteristics of the respondents 19
4.1.1 Age 19
4.1.2 Sex 20
4.1.3 Occupation 21
4.1.4 Education 22
4.1.5 Reasons for single parenting 23
4.1.6 Number of children 25
vi
4.2 Causes of single parenthood. 26
4.2.1 Loss of spouse 26
4.2.2 Divorced 27
4.2.3 Early pregnancies 27
4.2.4 Prostitution 27
4.3 Problems experienced in single parenting 27
4.3.1 Lack of respect 28
4.3.2 Low self esteem 28
4.3.3 Lack of financial support 29
4.3.4 High dependency ratio 29
4.3.5 Low incomes 29
4.4. Effects of single parenthood on child development and welfare 30
4.4.1 No education 30
4.4.2 Inadequate scholastic materials 31
4.4.3 Food Insecurity 31
4.4.4 Inadequate access to medical services 31
4.4.5 Forced Labour 32
4.4.6 Dispossession of property 32
4.5 Interventions to help out single parents out of the social challenges they
experience 33
4.5.1 Sensitization 33
4.5.2 Loans and credit schemes 34
4.5.3 Small scale projects 34
4.5.4 Scholarships for children 34
4.5.5 Enactment of laws 34
4.6 Conclusion 35
VII
CHAPrER FIVE~uu,.,nat..u.u.,.n, 5,,,,. Sn 5555 36
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS5.~ 36
5.1 Discussion 36
5.2 Conclusions 37
5.3 Recommendations 38
5.3.1 Recommendations to the government 38
5.3.2 Recommendations to Non Governmental Organizations 39
5.3.3 Recommendations to the local community 40
REFERENCES 41
APPENDIX I 43
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PSYCHO-SOCIAL BACKROUND OF THE SINGLE PARENT 43
APPENDIX II 45
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PSYCHO-SOCIAL BACKROUND OF THE CHILD 45
VIII
LIST OF TABLES
Table I: Age distribution of respondents 19
Table II: Sexual distribution of respondents 20
Table III: Occupation of respondents 21
Table IV: Education levels of respondents 22
Table V: Marital status of respondents 24
Table VI: Number of children in single parent families 25
Table VII: Causes of single parenthood in Moroto District 26
Table VIII: Problems experienced in single parenting 28
Table IV: Number of children in single parents families 30
Table X: Intervention to help single parents solve their challenges 33
ix
ABSTRACT
This study aimed at assessing the Impact of Single — Parent Family Structure on the
Child’s Emotional, Mental and Social — Economical Well-being in Moroto District,
Karamoja, North Eastern Uganda.
The general objective of the research was to examine the impact of single parent
family structure on the child’s emotional, mental and social — economical well — being in
Moroto District and the study had the following specific objectives; To identify problems
encountered in single parenting, To examine how single parenting affects the psycho
social well — being of children and To find out actions taken by the government and
other stakeholders on the problem of single parenting in Moroto district.
The findings of the study were; single parenting is brought about by loss of spouse,
divorce, early pregnancies, prostitution.
The study concluded and designed recommendations for the different stakeholders to
address the problem of single parenthood which is rising and with significant effects on
child welfare and development.
x
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Li Background of the study
Single parenting is already becoming a rapidly growing trend in the society. Globally,
one-quarter to one-third of all families are headed by single parents. Studies show, that
in the US alone, there are four single parents to every ten parents and there are two
single parents for every 10 adults. There was a dramatic increase in single-parent
families in the United States in the last three decades of the twentieth century; oly 13
percent of families were headed by a single parent in 1970. Over one-fourth of children
in the United States lived with a single parent in 1996, double the proportion in 1970.
Historically, single-parent families were the result of parental death; about one-fourth of
children born around the turn of the nineteenth century experienced the death of a
parent before they reached age fifteen (Amato 2000). It has been estimated in Africa
that 50 percent of children born in recent cohorts will spend some part of their
childhood with a single parent as a result of military duty, imprisonment, separation,
divorce, HIV/AIDS, or out-of-marriage births. In countries such as Ghana, Kenya,
Rwanda, more than 25 percent of households are headed by women (Rogers, 1996).
The Demographic and Health Survey,(DHS) basing on 2002 census data (UBOS, 2006)
revealed that single parents head 40% of all Households (HHs) in the country. The
Uganda DHS 2008 reports that four out of every five children live with at least one
parent. According to the poverty headcount (The Poverty Eradication Action Plan
[PEAP], 2008), for male and female Headed households (FHH) in Uganda, FHH were
found to be poorer than Male Headed Households (MHH) and this trend, it was shown,
continues to rise. This is more common in urban areas than in the rural areas.
Consequently, single parent families are among the poorest households in Uganda.
1
1.2 Statement of the Prob~em
The children of the world are innocent, vulnerable, and dependent. They are also
curious, active, and full of hope. Their time should be one of joy and peace, of playing,
learning, and growing. Their future should be shaped in harmony and co-operation.
Their lives should nurture as they broaden their perspectives and gain new experiences.
Unfortunately that is not the case, literature proves that majority of families in Uganda
are low-income families with many children. The face of children in Uganda is in
psycho-social,’ mental, economical and intellectual dilemma. Children living at home
with both parents grow up with more psycho-social, mental, economical and intellectual
advantages than their counterparts in one parent’s family. Not having a mother or a
father affects children more than thought. It is said that a typical family in Uganda
consists of a single parent and six children living in a one-roomed house in an area.
There is enough data to prove that the government of Uganda has done a lot to help
the children in general however concerning issues of children in single families in
particular and most especially in Uganda, there is scarcity of information to explain this.
This study will therefore examine family based economic and social pathways and
family structure and how they impact on the child’s psychological and intellectual
.resources such as a sense of self-esteem, self-control, and self-efficacy and class
performance which are perhaps health-promoting resources distinct from economic
power and social development.
1.3 Objectives
1.3.1 Genera~ Objective
To examine the impact of single-parent family structure on the child’s emotional, mental
and social-economical well-being in Moroto district.
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
(i) To identify problems encountered in single parenting.
(ii) To examine how single parenting affects the psycho-social wellbeing of
children in Moroto district.
2
(iii) To find out actions taken by the Government and other stakeholders on the
problem of single parenting.
1.4 Research Questions
(i) What are the problems encountered in single parenting?
(ii) How does single parenting affect the psycho-social well being of the child?
(iii) The role of the government to address the problem of single parenting in
Uganda
1.5 S~gniflcance of the study
(i) The research findings will stimulate and enable single parents, guardians to
be able to realize the psychological effects of children’s wellbeing and
contribute towards promoting better relationship between them and the
society.
(ii) The study will help development practitioners to recognize the impact of
single parenting to children’s wellbeing in Uganda hence offer necessary
intervention for the affected groups.
(iii) The study will sensitize the public about the topic of study which may be a
remedy of itself towards reducing the problem of single parenthood.
(iv) At the policy level, the research findings will provide suggestion on a more
consultative and participatory approach and making possible improvements
for joint actions among/between all actors.
(v) The study is an important requirement for the attainment of KIU Degree in
Development Studies.
(vi) The study therefore will act as guide to future researchers in the same
category since there is little research of this kind in Uganda.
3
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2~O Introduction
The term single parent (also lone parent and sole parent) means a parent with one or
more children, who is not living with the child[ren]’s other parent. The legal definition of
single parenthood may vary according to local laws of nations or provinces (Bronson,
Single Parents: October 9, 2006). Basically it is one parent having to serve a dual-
parent role, that of both mother and father to a child or children in the extended or
permanent absence of the other parent. Single parent families are of interest to
sociologists because the cultural values of most societies dictate that children be raised
by two parents and that, preferably, these parents should be married or, at the very
least, cohabiting. Families that deviate from this norm often differ from two-parent
families in other ways, especially in their higher poverty rate and recourse to welfare
and in their children’s social outcomes. Thus, they are also a concern for policy makers
and society at large.
2~1 Reasons for Sing~e Parenthood
The reasons for single parenting are not as narrow as you may think. Here are two
common reasons why people involuntarily become or choose to become a single parent.
Divorce is probably the number one reason why someone becomes a single parent and
delves into the waters of single parenting. It is said that the number one cause of
divorce in the United States is a no fault divorce or irreconcilable differences. What this
basically means is that the two parents could not get along, were not compatible, or
just simply did not want to be married anymore. While this may sound like an “easy
way out,” rest assured that almost everyone who goes through a divorce (especially
when children are involved), think long and hard about it. It is a very difficult decision
to make, and knowing that the children will no longer be the same is a huge factor in
deciding to divorce and become a single parent.
4
Not being married is another common reason why someone would be practicing single
parenting. Women who become pregnant outside of marriage no longer have the social
stigma to marry the man who impregnated them. Instead, many women chose to have
their baby without the help of a husband. In fact, many women who were never
married are single parents without the aid of the father at all. This could be for many
reasons, including that the father wanted no part in the child’s life and that the mother
made the decision, based on the father’s lifestyle, simply not to tell the father that she
was pregnant. This presents probably some of the hardest single par’~nting obstacles.
The child’s father is not there to provide financial or emotional support and in this case,
the mother ends up doing everything with only the help of family and possibly
government programs.
Adoption another reason for single parenting is a process whereby a person assumes
the parenting for another who is not kin and, in so doing, permanently transfers all
rights an responsibilities from the original parent or parents. Unlike guardianship or
other systems designed for the care of the young, adoption is intended to effect a
permanent change in status and as such requires societal recognition, either through
legal or religious sanction. Historically some societies have enacted specific laws
governing adoption whereas others have endeavoured to achieve adoption through less
formal means, notably via contracts that specified inheritance rights and parental
responsibilities. Modern systems of adoption, arising in the 20th century, tend to be
governed by comprehensive statutes and regulations. (Tom Kingston, Families in Rush
to Adopt a Foreign Child, Guardian, January 28, 2007).
Death of one parent leads to single parenthood. This can be due to H1V/AIDS, wars
becoming a single parent due to the death of a spouse and co-parent has special
challenges for both the parent and child. Not only are you dealing with your own grief
and assisting your child(ren) in dealing with their grief, but you are also being forced to
adjust to being the only parent. This is one time when it is perfectly acceptable to feel
dike screaming, “Life just is not fair!” It certainly isn’t. First and foremost, dealing with
5
the death of the spouse and co-parent should be your top priority. However~ you and
your child(ren) will deal with that pain in different ways and on different time
schedules.
There is some evidence such as in countries like America that a majority of younger
Americans no longer believe that being married is necessarily better than being single,
even though survey respondents have indicated that they anticipate getting married
themselves and believe that it is better for children to grow up in a family with both
parents.” For young people who are poor, however, the attitude toward marriage and
childbearing often seems rooted in a belief that it doesn’t really matter whether or not
they marry or whether or not they have children at an early age or later in life, because
their lives will not improve in any case (Poussaint A. F, Single Parenthood: Implications
For American Society, 1997: Texas).
2~2 Sing~e parent characteristics
Single parenthood can be very challenging. Single parents are very likely to include
their children in the day-to-day running of the family. The children may have to share
more responsibility of doing chores and looking after themselves than other children.
Single parents often discuss things with their children that parents in two parent
families often discuss with each other (e.g. the shopping list, what to do over school
holidays).
Many parents and children have to adjust to children moving between the household of
both parents.
Children from single parent households who have been given a lot of say at home
sometimes have difficulties at school because they expect to be treated in the same
way by teachers. Often there is less money to manage with one parent than in two
parent homes where many have a double income.
6
2.3 Prob~ems encountered in sing’e parenting
Single parents face immense problems in bringing up children. If you are or are about
to become a single parent, you may think that you are alone. The worry of having to
provide solely for your children off of your own income, become both mother and father
to your children, and try to provide them with everything that they need may be the
only thing on your mind. You may think that it’s your fault that your children will be
growing up with you as a single parent.
Parenting a baby alone can be very stressful for any parent. Babies need 24 hour care
and parents need breaks, someone to talk to and someone who can provide help and
support, earning money to cover the costs of schooling and daily living; this lack of
income and capital, combined with inadequate nutrition, education, shelter and health
contribute towards a cycle of extreme poverty that causes many single parents to have
mental and emotional breakdowns.
The financial crisis is a major area of dread for most of single parent families. One has
to learn to be interdependent, give and receive; taking our own responsibilities and
asking for support and engaging even professional help, when needed. However, this
financial crisis may not be in some of the well-off single parent families and not a
common feature of these families. A single-parent family often has to shuffle schedules,
hope they don’t lose their job over sick children, wonder if they will have to work three
jobs instead of two, tell the children no way too often. The first day of school may be
tough for the parent and child knowing they are going to school with last years tennis
shoes on or worse still on bare foot.
The supervision and instruction of children is often dramatically reduced in homes with
only one adult. The child may experience many adult responsibilities far earlier. There
are many examples of how this often results in much higher rates of motor vehicle
accidents, drug and alcohol experimentation, and teen pregnancy.
7
Children from single parent families who have considerable freedom and independence
in family affairs may experience difficulty at school, where more age-appropriate
direction and guidance is available from a larger number of adults.
For the vast majority of children opportunities for genuine participation are limited both
by the authoritarian culture and by the impact of poverty from early childhood right
through the life cycle of the child. Many children are condemned by poverty to engage
in income generating activities to assist their parents, limiting not only their
opportunities to continue in school but also their chances to participate in other types of
social and cultural activity beneficial to their physical mental and psycho-social
development. For many children, the absence of a parent seems to have a profoundly
negative effect, domestic disarray adds to feelings of instability and insecurity.
Inadequate family incomes, as well as the constraints of time on children forced to
work, greatly hinders access to these types of opportunities. The concept of
participation is particularly difficult for disadvantaged, poor parents to understand
because they themselves are subject to exclusion.
Authoritarian child rearing methods are partly a natural reflex, mirroring the pervasive
authoritarianism in society, as well as the deeply ingrained notions of hierarchy in
traditional culture. Evidence from different parts of the Global South suggests that
household headship is not a good predictor of the start that children have in life, nor
their trajectories into adolescence and adulthood. Not only do risks arise to children’s
wellbeing through discriminatory or hostile attitudes towards FHH in society at large,
gender dynamics within male-headed units can be just as prejudicial in this regard
(Delamonica et al, 2004).
Children with added disadvantages such as physical or mental disabilities as being a
marginalized group have fewer opportunities for education than other children, resulting
8
to lower levels of enrolment and in higher rates of illiteracy leading to limited
opportunities to obtain employment in later life.
The dynamics of family care have however undergone tremendous change for the
worse due to the spread of HIV/AIDS and the large resulting number of single
parenting children.
The Family Care Practices Survey (2003) found that 93% of children have mothers as
their main care giver, where as 2% have their fathers as the main caregiver. (MOH,
2003. Family Care Practices Survey: P21). An estimated 85% of the mothers time is
pent away form their children due to outside home work or household chores (MoE &
M0H, 2003b. P:39).
Single parents commonly experience difficulties with role identity. Some social stigma is
still attached to single-parent status, regardless of how it was acquired. For single
mothers, development of positive role identity is often hampered by their inability to
support their families financially. Single parents often experience role strain from
attempting to balance wage- earner and parental responsibilities.
Lack of formal education and consequently of j oh skills limits access to occupations
that provide enough income for an acceptable standard of living. Women are
additionally hindered by socialization into traditionally female occupations that are low
paying, perpetuating the cycle of poverty (Burge, 1987).
Poverty is persistently linked with single-parent households, especially those headed by
women. Such families are the poorest of all major demographic groups in the United
States, Latin America and most parts of Africa (Garfinkel and McLanahan, 1986). Wage
differences between men and women arising from lack of labour and market
preparation or experience or from discrimination, reinforce low-income status.
9
Although child care is an issue for all parents, an overwhelming number of single
parents cannot afford high-quality day care a major barrier to attending career
development and skills training programs as well as to maintaining employment.
Z4 Children’s Basic Rights & single parenting (Reflect on the Conventions)
2~4i. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
Article (13) of the United Nations (UN)-Convention on the rights of the Child (1989)
states that Children have the right to an adequate standard of living. To this end,
States, Parties shall co-operate in the economic, social, cultural, scientific and technical
fields to promote economic and social progress through out the world and particularly in
the developing countries.
In particular, it is the responsibility of developing countries to establish a new
international order which will enable children to develop multi-dimensionally and make
it possible to meet the pressing needs of children of developing countries and in
particular to combat poverty and destitution, hunger, illiteracy, acculturation, ignorance
still births and infant mortality, disease and social evils.
The Parent(s) or those responsible for the child have the primary responsibility to
secure, within their financial possibilities and powers, the conditions of living necessary
healthy development of the child.
State Parties, in accordance with national conditions and within their means, shall take
appropriate measures to assist parents and others responsible for the child to
implement the right and, shall in case of need provide material assistance and support
programmes, particularly with regard to nutrition, clothing and housing.
10
2~4~2 The Afrkan Charter
The African charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child 1999, presented by
the Organization of African Unity under Article 20 in the Parental Responsibilities
recognizes that the child occupies a unique and privileged position in the African society
and that for the full and harmonious development of his personality. The child should
grow up in a family environment in an atmosphere of happiness, love and
understanding, parents or other persons responsible for the child shall ha-ye the
primary responsibility of the upbringing and development the child and shall have the
duty to ensure that the best interests of the child are their basic concern at all times, to
secure, within their abilities and financial capacities, conditions of living necessary to the
child’s development.
The Charter also states that States Parties shall in accordance with their means and
National conditions take all appropriate measures to assist parents and other persons
responsible for the child and in case of need provide material assistance and support
programmes particularly with regard to nutrition, health, education, clothing, housing
and others responsible for the child in the performance of child-rearing and ensure the
development of institutions responsible for providing care of children and to ensure that
the children of working parents are provided with care services and facilities.
2~4~3 Constitut~on of Uganda
The Children’s Statute enacted in 1996 and now the Children’s Act 2000 incorporated
specific provisions relating to children’s rights in that priority is given by the State to
health, care and guidance by the parent and non-discrimination of the child.
The severe political, economic and social difficulties facing Uganda among other
countries have had a negative impact on the situation of children. In particular, poverty,
armed conflict in the north and the HIV/AIDS pandemic has caused major difficulties.
There is also the problem of prejudicial traditional practices and customs, prevailing
particularly in rural areas that hamper the effective implementation of the provisions of
11
the Convention, especially with regard to the principles of non-discrimination, best
interests of the child and respect for the views of the child.
2~5 Government act~on
Uganda Government has made tremendous progress in the implementation of the
rights of children in the country. Issues of children are given special priority. Efforts
towards domestication of the rights of children have been intensified with the
enactment of the Children’s Statute in 1996, and now the Children’s ACT 2000. Several
other initiatives have been undertaken to enhance the rights of chldren under the
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
A programme for promotion of the welfare of children and youth is being implement
through the child centered community development approach to assist and enable
children, their families, communities and the government to make lasting improvements
in the quality of their life. Under this approach, children, youth, women and men are
involved in identifying their problems, planning, implementing and monitoring the
programs.
A community Dialogue programme which provides an avenue for community
participation in contributing to development and implementation of programmes ror
children is also being implemented in several districts. In addition, a working committee
on juvenile Justice has been established in the Law and Justice Order Sector, while a
street children’s desk and guidelines for addressing the problem of street children have
also been put in place. These and other initiatives at the macro level such as
introduction of Universal Primary Education, the development of the Poverty reduction
Strategy among others; are expected to contribute significantly to promotion of
children’s rights and their overall welfare (Government of Uganda, Second Periodic
Report Of Uganda [CRC/C/65/ADD33, 2005]).
12
Z6 Community Based Organ~zations (CBOs) and Non Governmenta~
Organ~zat~ons (NGOs)
CBOs and NGOs exist in the contribution to improve children’s lives in many ways in
improving the lives of the disadvantaged families including single parent families and
children. There are few NGO5 that are working to help single parent families improve in
their wellbeing. Although they vary in scope, experiences, size and scale; from local
groups to International ones, they have played a vital role in trying to change the lives
of these single parent families.
The Single Parents Association of Uganda (SPA U, is Ugandan charitable organization
that aims to empower poor and marginalized single parents and their families in
Uganda to increase their household incomes and also aims to provide a forum through
which - marginalized Single Parents can fearlessly campaign for the respect of their
rights, especially to property and custody of their children, as equal members of
society.
Women Federation for Peace in Uganda (WFPU), since 1994 has been actively involved
in assisting many Ugandan single parent families (deprived mothers, orphans and
widows) by educating and equipping women especially, mothers and the girl-child in life
skills, developmental planning, growing cash crops and management, business
development to attain and lead more sustainable livelihoods using the resources
available to them. This is done through discussion groups, counseling and film shows
held regularly for school teachers, couples, families and single parents to improve on
parent- child communication and communication between couples both at village and
national level.
13
2~7 Condus~on
Uganda has domesticated most conventions relating to promotion of the rights of the
children. The government of Uganda’s establishment of policy frameworks and
guidelines have facilitated the implementation of these conventions through the
contribution of NGO5, CBOs and humanitarian agencies. The national level has showed
successes in policy development but this has not as yet had a trickle down effect and
benefits for children.
14
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3~.O Introduction
This chapter is about the methodological approaches used in the study. Specifically, it
describes research design, the area and population of the study, sample framework
which entails sample size, sampling techniques, research instruments and procedures
used for data collection, data management and analysis.
3d Research sign
This involved a case study design that helped the researcher to acquire data related to
the concepts under study. This was to narrow down the process of data collection and
analysis. The study was carried out basing on the research objectives and questions.
3~2 Area and the Population
Moroto District is located in the North Eastern part of Uganda. Moroto district has a
population of about 1.2 million inhabitants. It covers a total area of 195 sq. km of which
86.7% is land. The study population involved only single parents in Moroto district,
Karamoja region.
3.3 Sample Framework
Numerous methods were utilized to collect the necessary data. This helped to simplify
the acquisition of data that would be liable for scrutiny.
3~3d Sample Size
The study used a sample size of 80 respondents from various areas within Moroto
district. This sample was specifically composed of single parents with the exception of
key informants to triangulate the collected data.
15
3~3~2 Sampile Technique
The study employed purposive and snow ball sampling techniques to minimize the
scope of the study but also because it were only single parents that had the necessary
information. These parents were chosen purposively to consider gender relations and
therefore included both male and female single parents. The same procedure was used
to select key informants to provide information to the researcher and these included
local leaders and specific NGOs.
3~3.3 Samp~e Procedure
The researcher introduced herself to the local council chairperson with an introductory
letter from the university~ The chairperson introduced the researcher to the first
respondent of the study who thereafter referred the researcher to the proceeding
respondents. This procedure was used through out until the researcher was able to hit
the 80th mark as the last respondent was unable to refer her to other single parents
within the vicinity~ The key informants were selected on purpose to specifically target
those with the necessary information. The local leaders as witnesses to the single
parenthood scenario were used and the NGOs whose core programmes areas are single
parent families.
3A Methods and too~s of data collection
The study involved the use of various methods I tools to ensure effective data collection
and these included the following.
(I) Questionnaire
This is a predetermined set of questions that a researcher uses to collect data.
Questionnaires were designed in relation to the objectives of the study. The
questionnaires were administered by the researcher to collect data from the identified
single parents.
16
(II) Key Infonnant InterviewsThis is a data collection tool that Involves the use & face to face questioning of theinterviewee on specific Issues relating to the problem under study. These induded thelocal coundi leaders and the NGO offIdals. These, the researcher telt had relevantinformation to darify on the responses from the questionnaire. By the nature of theirjobs they were more informed about the problem under study and were thereforenecessary for verification of data.
3.4.2 Sources of data(I) PrimaryThis is the source from which the researcher collected the raw data that was analyzedby the researcher as the presentations and findings of the study. The primary data wascollected from the respondents by the use of key informant interviews andquestionnaires.
(II) SecondaryThis comprised of data that was obtained from the already exIsting texts, journals, online sources and other already exIstIng-literature related to the problem understood.These sources helped the researcher to Identify gaps that can be filled by carrying outthis research.
3.5 Data ProcessingThe findings got from the key informant Interviews and questionnaires were screenedand scrutinized to obtain Information that was relevant and reflect on the researchobjectives. This involved thematic analysis where by the researcher edited and groupedrelated data into the same theme.
17
3~6 Data An&ys~s
This consisted of an analytical discussion of the research findings based on the evidence
compiled with logical argument. Suggestions were put forward as well as
recommendations before concluding on the analysis of the findings.
3~7 Ethka~ Cons~derations
The data collected from the respondents was not used for any other purposes other
than academic reasons to compile this research. Data was treated confidentially to its
purposes so as not to cause exposure of people’s views to the public. The respondents
were informed that the researcher is therefore carrying out research related to
academic purposes.
18
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINDINGS
This was done according to the objectives and research questions which acted as the
themes of the study. However, Biographic characteristics were also analyzed to assess
how they affect the results of the study.
4~1 Biographic characteristics of the respondents
4~L1 Age
This was intended to establish how the age of respondents influenced the results of the
study.
Tab’e I: Age distribution of respondents
Source: Field data, April 2015
From the study findings, l5% of the respondents, both male and female were in the
age range between 15 to 24 years, 26% of the respondents were between the age
120
100
80
60
40
20
Frequnecy
Percentages
15-24 25-34 35-44 45 and above Total
19
ranges of 25 to 34 years, 48 % of the respondents were between 35 to 44 years and
11% of the respondents were between 45 years and above years. This indicated that
the majority of respondents who were single parents lay in the ages between 35 to 44
years of age.
4~L2 Sex
This was aimed at establishing the sexual distribution of respondents and which sex
was affected heavily by single parent hood.
Table II: Sexual distr~but~on of respondents
Source: Field data, April 2015
From the research results, 62 % of the respondents were female with 38% of the
respondents’ male. This showed that women were highly affected by single parenthood
in Moroto district, Karamoja region. Just like in other parts as noted by the DHS report
of 2006. Women are more likely to take care of children single handed as opposed to
120 -
80
60 -jF— I
40f~—~-~~
2: HI~ Frequency
Percentages
Male Female Total
20
Men who are likely to remarry. They end up taking care of their children and have to
face the hardships of life.
4~L3 Occupation
This was intended to find out the occupation of respondents and how these occupations
influence the soclo-economic status of single parents thereby affecting~ children in such
House Holds.
Tabile III: Occupation of respondents
Basing on the research findings, 54% of the respondents were involved in farming
activities such as livestock farming and crop farming just about enough to support
themselves. Also from the graph, 13% of the respondents were involved in hiring out
their labour in which they are given very little money. These respondents explained that
that was all they could do since they did not have even the money to carry out a small
business. What they earned was mainly used for buying the household requirements.
Percentages
Farming
Hiring out labour
ii Food vendor
~ selling food by roadside
Source: Field data Aprii, 2015
21
29% of the respondents were involved in food vending activities that is they cooked
food and sold to the workers who were engaged in road repair (Northern By-pass),
shop and market dwellers while only 04% of the respondents were selling food stuffs
by the roadside. These occupations were being carried out as a coping mechanism for
single parents to earn some income and food for survival as most of the single parents
were not employed in the formal sector.
4~L4 Education
This was aimed at assessing the education levels of respondents.
Tab~e IV: Education lev&s of respondents
From the study results, 53% of the respondents obtained secondary level of education
because they were only able to afford up to this level. This indicates that most of the
single parents in Moroto district were of the secondary level of education. This is largely
attributed to irresponsible sexual behaviour during the adolescence stage which led to
Percentages
~a Primary
Secondary
~a Never been to school
Source: Field data Aprii, 2015
22
early pregnancies. Studies indicate that when one becomes a parent prematurely their
chances of formally getting educated are significantly reduced. On further investigation
it was revealed that these single parents mostly female were deceived by their spouses
before becoming pregnant by promising them good things since they were not from a
well off family background and expected more mostly from older men. The responsible
fathers continued with their education as opposed to females who were left with the
burden of taking care of babies or children. This resulted to the fathers abandoning
their children by either denying their children or not wanting to take care of their
children because of more important issues.
What was further discovered was that their children were not of the same father or
mother. The reason being that the parents weren’t intending to live together due to
differences between them. In most cases it was always the male spouse who
disappeared. The study also indicated that 21% of the respondents had never been to
school. The reasons for this category was that they either never wanted to go to school
and parents denied them to go to school because they had to look after the house fear
of being robbed off their home belongings as well as their younger siblings. Since the
parent was out attending to other duties most of the day and only returned after dark.
18% of the respondents only attended primary level because these respondents were
not able to afford to continue with school. Others got pregnant and were not able to
continue with school as they had no one to look after their children. Only O8% of the
respondents werel of the tertiary level. These respondents were able to find work but
in most cases underemployed.
4~L5 Reasons for sing~e parent~ng
This was intended to establish the reasons for single parenting for respondents who
were single parents.
23
TaWe V: Marita~ status of respondents
Percentages
Married
Single
ei Divorced
~ Widowed
Total
Basing on the study, results, 59% of the respondents were married but due to death of
the spouse became widowed. Other widow single parents stated that their spouses died
because they think had been bewitched by other lovers of the deceased. They were left
with no choice but to take care of their children. The study results indicated that 29%
of the respondents were single because O9% of the respondents were divorced and
only 03% of the respondents were widowed. Other causes of death were clue to
accidents. This left these women powerless and had to survive the hard way to look
after their children.
ISource; Field data Apr11, 2015
24
4~L6 Number of chHdren
This was aimed at finding out the number of children that the single parents cared for.
40
20
r~ frequency
Percentage
Basing on the study findings, 51% of the respondents had children between I and 3
33% of the respondents had between 4 and 5 children while l6% of the respondents
had between 6 and 8 children. This showed that most single parents had a burden to
cater for the needs of their children as all families had children. It was also noted that
the single parents with many children were generally in the older age bracket whose
spouses had died or separated after several years of marriage. Their separation was
mostly due to their spouses moving to other unknown areas without leaving a trace of
their where-abouts and also due having other preferred partners to live with. In most
cases these single parents were left at a state where they are unemployed. Further
Tab’e VI: Number of chUdren ~n s~ngDe parent famN~es
120
80
60
0
land3 4and5 6and8 Total
Source; Field Data Apri/, 2015
25
Source: Field data Apr14 2015
4~2..1 Loss of spouse
From the study findings, 3l% of the respondents showed that loss of spouse was one
of the major causes of single parenthood in Moroto district. This was being attributed to
many factors including natural death, diseases like Malaria, HIV/AID5, city murders and
accidents which have claimed lives leaving behind spouses. This was common among
parents aged 25 years and above. This left these parents to find a way of looking for
cheap accommodation in most cases semi-permanent or temporary houses.
Percentages
more, their spouses never liked there women to find employment claiming that they
would get other lovers.
4~2 Causes of sing~e parenthood
This was intended to establish the causes of single parent families in Moroto district.
Tabile VII: Causes of s~ng~e parenthood ~n Moroto distrkt
~Loss of spouse
Divorced
~JEarIy I~ Prostitution I
24
28
26
4.2.2 Divorced
It was further noted that 28% of the respondents revealed that divorce was one of the
causes of single parenthood in Moroto district. It was noted that in the society men
divorce their women of several reasons like poverty a norm that is increasingly
becoming common, to run from the responsibility of looking after the family and finding
refuge with other spouses. It was also being attributed to cases of cohabitation where
men found it easy to divorce their women with no legal implications.
4.2.3 Early pregnancies
More so 24% of the respondents showed that early pregnancies was contributing to
single parenthood in Moroto where the young girls were lured into irresponsible sexual
practices exposing them to early pregnancies before marriage. They could further be
exposed to STIs. This scenario is worsened when the man responsible for the
pregnancy denies responsibility. This is found mostly between these age groups
because these age groups are easily convinced and cannot be easily controlled.
4.2.4 Prostitution
More so l7% of the respondents revealed that prostitution as a coping mechanism in
the suburbs was another cause of single parenthood as most of the women were selling
their bodies to earn a living to support themselves and their families. In the process
some men refuse to use condoms, which expose women to unwanted pregnancies.
Other factors such as culture, ignorance, and living miserable lives because of neglect
from their families and those who get these women pregnant also contributed largely to
prostitution.
4.3 Problems experienced in single parenting
This was aimed at identifying the problems that were encountered by single parents in
trying to ensure proper development and well being of their children.
27
Tab~e VIII: Problems experienced in single parenting
Percentanges
16%
12%
i~ Lack of financial support fromthe spouse
~ High dependency ratio
Low incomes
Source: Field data Aprii~, 2015
4~3i. Lack of respect
From the study findings, l8% of the responses showed that parents from single headed
families lacked respect both from their children and the general public. This was mainly
because the children were left on their own most of the time at home creating a distant
relationship between them. The study further indentified that the absence of the other
parent created anger since according to them the other parent rejected responsibility
within owing to the poor state they were in. According to the community, single parents
are regarded as social misfits as this is associated with unbecoming behaviour like
prostitution.
4~3~2 Low self esteem
Basing on the findings, l2% of the responses indicated that single parents had low self
esteem. Many of them have been disappointed by their spouses and have lost hope.
This makes single parents to loose self esteem as their social status is always
28
questioned. This state of affairs is responsible for many of them resorting to prostitution
as a survival mechanism to ably take care of their children.
4~3..3 Lack of flnancia~ support
Lack of financial support from a spouse is a very big challenge to single parents. From
the study it was noted that 14% of the respondents lack financial support from their
spouses. This presents a big challenge as children require a lot of input both financial
and moral from both parents to grow and develop very well. The financial support is
very important as it was noted that many of them are managing very small businesses
with very low rates of return to maintain the family. Financial support from a spouse
makes the person feel loved and having a sense of belonging which promotes
psychological comfort to the parent and the children.
4.3A High dependency ratio
From the study findings, 40% of the responses revealed single parents faced a
challenge of high dependency ratio. Parents from such families had many children to
care for single handedly. This high number of dependants strains the already poor
parents affecting their marginal propensity to save. This is worsened by the high costs
of living within the city suburbs where these parents live.
4~3~5 Low incomes
Basing on the research results 16% of the responses indicated that single parents had a
problem of low incomes. This was because they were not employed in the formal sector
and only depended on the petty businesses that they carry out in the slums. These are
poorly paid jobs and people on such jobs cannot earn what is enough to support their
families. Most of them confessed being unable to meet the basic needs of housing,
feeding, education and medical care; and they were extremely affected by slight
fluctuations in commodity price. This was causing the vicious cycle of poverty in
homesteads, stealing among children and other unsocial behaviours.
29
4.4. Effects of sing~e parenthood on child deve’opment and w&fare.
This was intended to establish how single parenthood affects child development and
wellbeing at family levels.
Tab~e IV: Number of children in sing~e parents families
4.4.1 No education
Basing on the study findings, 14% of the responses indicated that single parents
especially females are unable to educate children. Analysis of their economic activities
indicated that all of them are employed by the informal sector which is based on natural
conditions.
“My main challenge is how to start an income-generating project that will get the
household out of poverty. I have never got any business skills training’~ said 28 year
old Juliet Namatovu, a resident of Moroto district, a testimony of lack of access to
business skills.
Percentages
D No education
~I Inadequate scholastic materials
Food insecurity
Inadequate acces to medicalservices
ii Forced labour
Source: field data April, 2015
Dispossession of property
30
The vagaries of weather negatively affect their income levels and are therefore unable
to educate their children which is a prerequisite to child wellbeing as highlighted by the
Children Statute (1998).
4.4.2 Inadequate scholastic materia’s
From the study, it was revealed that 25% of the respondents indicated that single
parent families have inadequate scholastic materials to provide to their children. As
noted earlier, these families are poor and have dependency problem which overwhelms
their capacity to provide all scholastic requirements for the children. This makes
children fail to acquire basic education as opposed to their counterparts from families
with both parents. This negatively affects their wellbeing of the children as they feel
psychologically isolated in the school setting which finally leads to school dropout.
4.4.3 Food Insecurity
Basing on the research findings, 10% of the responses showed that single parents were
facing a problem of food insecurity which affects child growth development and
wellbeing. Food is a basic need for proper child growth the lack of which is responsible
for retardation and malnourishment. Such families are characterized by capability
deprivation in terms of incomes and knowledge and are therefore unable to feed
properly their children which at the end of the day affects their wellbeing.
4.4.4 Inadequate access to medica’ services
It was noted form the study that 29% of the respondents face a challenge in procuring
medical services for their children. Given their setting, children in such families are
vulnerable to diseases exacerbated by food insecurity. This undermines children’s
immunity systems which exposes them to several diseases such malaria, diarrhoea
among others. This scenario is worsened by the fact that such parents especially
remales lack support from spouses thereby affecting their ability to access medical
services. This gravely affects the wellbeing and development of the children.
31
4~4~5 Forced Labour
Many children in the study area are engaged in forced labour as coping mechanism for
families. Children are engaged in income generating activities to assist their parents
which limit their participation in school and other social activities which would otherwise
be beneficial for their physical, mental and psycho-social development and wellbeing.
This was estimated at 5% in Moroto that is a common phenomenon in Kampala with
many children selling roasted maize, ripe bananas, groundnuts- sometimes in very
heavy baskets thereby affecting the physical development and wellbeing of the affected
children.
Children engage in labour not only because their families are poor but also because the
practice is seen as normal and indeed beneficial to their families and themselves. Some
children also feel obligated to go out as a sense of their duty towards their parents.
More worse, powerful and enduring myths and social restrictions on girls make
domestic work for girls appropriate as it offers a protective environment for and for
young children. Such myths encourage the continuance of child labour and specifically
child domestic labour.
4~4~6 Dispossession of property
Basing on the study results, l7% of the respondents revealed that single parents most
especially females were being disposed off their property after the death of their
husbands. This is done by the husband’s relatives who think that women do not have a
right to own property and this was challenging their efforts to provide for the
necessities to their families Lack of property inhibits single parents’ efforts to provide for
the families which affect children’s wellbeing and development.
32
4.5 Interventions to hellp out sing’e parents out of the soci& challenges they
experience
This was intended to find out how the different stakeholders were interviewed in the
process of helping single parents to realize a good life.
Tab’e X: Intervention to help single parents solve their challenges
Percentages
~ Sensitization
Loan and credit schemes
~i small scale projects
~ scholarstic for children
enactment of laws
Field data August, 2009
4.5.1 Sensitization
From the research findings, 39% of the respondents indicated that single parents were
being sensitized on their rights and other improved survival mechanisms. This is done
by the government and NGOs like FIDA and UWESO, SPAU. The NGO5 identified that
these single parent families are not able generate adequate income to meet the basic
through Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials such as posters,
fliers that educate women on their rights. Counseling, radio programmes and mobile
cinemas are all avenues for sensitizing single parents.
33
9%
20%13%
4.5~2 Loans and credit schemes
Basing on the study findings, l3% of the respondents indicated that loans and credits
were being offered to women either on individual basis or as women groups and
associations help them get initial capital that can be used to develop themselves
financially which finally contributes to improved wellbeing of the children. This is done
by microfinance institutions and the government under its programmes of Property for
4~5~3 Small sca~e projects
From the study results, 2O% of the respondents indicated that small scale projects were
being started for women and other single parents to help them earn income and food
to support their families. The identified activities included piggery, fruit growing, poultry
production and zero grazing cattle for milk production. These projects were being
started NGOs like NAWODE, UWESO, SPAU and GTZ which were helping single parents
to realize a better life.
4~5A. Scho~arsh~ps for chlldren
From the study findings, 19% of the respondents revealed that children from single
headed families are offered scholarships so as to help them acquire education. This is
done for children joining secondary schools where Universal Secondary Education is not
implemented. This is lessening the burden on the parents to only cater for other
scholastic necessities.
4~5~5 Enactment of ‘aws
Basing on the study results, O9% of the respondents indicated that laws have been
enacted to reduce the violation of rights of single parents. This is done through the
promotion of affirmative actions, promotion of property ownership rights and curbing
gender based violence against the female single parents.
34
4.~6 Condusion
However, the issue now is can these poor single parents (aged or young, widowed and
or separated) together with their dependants be helped to gain self esteem, helped to
start off, and capacitated to effectively offer sufficient support to themselves! Yes.
Single parents should be facilitated to identify their own problems. Civil society
organizations and government have and should continue to determine the type of social
support and where it is channeled by consulting the potential beneficiaries. Failing to
listen to, learn from, and engage with the poor single parents risks missing important
opportunities in the quest for their empowerment. Only if the poor have a say in why,
what, and how programs and projects can be made to work for them can their
wellbeing and development be improved.
35
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter discusses the findings of the study; it draws the conclusion and
recommendations of the study.
5~1 Discussion
According to objective one of the study which was to identify the problems faced by
single parents. The researcher noted that single parents face a number of problems
such as lack of respect from their children and community members, low self-esteem,
low incomes, lack of support from their spouses and family members, and
underemployment. These problems are compounded by the fact that many of them are
not educated and therefore lack the necessary skills to develop financially. This has left
many of them struggling to take care of their families. This ultimately affects the
children’s wellbeing and development.
According to objective two of the research study, it was noted that many of the
problems that the single parents face affect the wellbeing of the chi~dren. The study
revealed that single parenthood affects women more than men who are likely to find
spouses. The female parents have the burden of taking care of the children as well as
themselves without any support from the fathers. The patriarchal society views single
mothers as reckless, irresponsible women and are therefore treated as outcasts. These
put together affect the wellbeing of not only the single parent but also the child. The
child is then unable to access basic education and scholastic materials for those who
are able to go to school which later leads to dropout. They are further exposed to food
insecurity and limited access to medical services which increases their vulnerability to
diseases. Many of them are exposed to forced labour with all its disadvantages like
exploitation sometimes sexual (exposing them to HIV/AIDS and STIs) and dispossession
of family property all of which disem powered them in society.
36
The research noted that there are several intervention schemes that are in place to
address the problems that single parents face. The study found out that NGOs,
International Human Rights Agencies and the government have designed measures to
help single parents and among them are, provision of loans and credit schemes,
sponsoring children from single parent homes, sensitization and education about their
rights, enactment of laws to protect such vulnerable people, and providing them with
start up capital for small scale projects. These interventions will help single parents earn
an income to facilitate the wellbeing and development of their children.
5~2 Condus~ons
From the study findings the following conclusions have been drawn. Single parenthood
is a common phenomenon in Moroto district just like in other parts of Uganda. This cuts
across all gender aspects as females were affected as well as males. It was also noted
that it cuts across all age groups caused by death of spouse, separation, irresponsible
sexual behaviour among the youths. Females are more likely to suffer the
consequences of single parenthood as opposed to their male counterparts.
Single parents in Moroto district face many problems including low incomes
underemployment, low self esteem, and limited financial support from their spouses. All
these problems affect the wellbeing and development of children.. These problems
affect the psycho-social well being of children from single parent families in comparison
to their counterparts form families with both parents.
The children experience challenges like food insecurity, lack of scholastic materials and
other basic needs, limited or no education because of high rates of drop out and early
pregnancies which severely affect their well being and development. However,
stakeholders are putting in place strategic interventions to help single parents and
children from single parent families to improve their situation. These strategies included
sensitization about people’s rights, enactment of laws, offering scholarships to children
rorm such families, promoting the property ownership rights of single parents.
37
Uganda through government bodies, non-government and humanitarian agencies
following the Constitution of Uganda have tried to promote the rights of the children.
This is still a challenge in many parts of the country. Clearly, help is urgently needed,
yet the need frequently overtakes available help. Better opportunities for single parent
families to find work, education, and vocational training as well as proper care and
guidance for their children would bring about great improvements in the log of the
single parent family structure in Uganda.
Further more, the existence of the National Children’s Council and various government
bodies, ministries and Local Councils are responsible for the welfare of children at the
national and local levels, nevertheless regrets the inadequate coordination among these
bodies in promoting and protecting the rights of the child and developing a
comprehensive approach to the implementation of the Convention. National Children’s
Council and the other bodies, ministries and councils also lack the requisite institutional
capacity, skills and financial resources to carry out their mandates.
53 Recommendations
The study was concluded and designed the following recommendations for the different
stakeholders to address the problem of single parenthood which is rising and with
significant effects on child welfare and development.
53.1 RecommendatiOns to the government
Government should step up its efforts to sensitize and educate the women about their
rights to ensure their independence as an empowerment mechanism. This should be
done with due consideration of the gender relations in society to avoid resistance from
the males. This will help in developing the implementation framework that can easily he
understood by all stakeholders.
Government should put in place adult education and sensitization of women both on
their rights, abuse and other aspects of their lives be conducted as this in one way or
38
another will boost their capacity to understand, identify, take part in the formation and
implementation of some development activities boost their livelihoods and the
community in general.
Government should strengthen its coordination mechanisms to ensure a comprehensive
implementation framework. It should be noted that the institutions are in place but
poorly coordinated. This can be achieved with the government’s strong political will to
address the problem of single parent hood.
5~3~2 Recommendations to Non Governmentall Organizations
NGOs dealing in women emancipation and empowerment should try as much as
possible to provide women with all the necessary information about their rights and
elements of gender equality so that they can be able to understand abuses and always
seek for redress from courts of law.
NGOs should try as much as possible to harmonize their relations with the government
and develop partnerships amongst themselves so that they can have a sound force that
can easily be heard by the general public hence ensuring effectiveness in carrying out
their activities of gender equality promotion.
NGOs should at least try to give scholarships to the girls and young women to attain
education which will help them to gain skills that will help them to compete with men in
the employment world and also reduce on the education gaps between men and
women. This education will also help to reduce illiteracy rates hence reducing on the
other limiting factors.
NGOs should solicit for funds o provide services to the disadvantaged women closer in
terms of education health and empowerment. This will help women to benefit from
their efforts without first toiling so hard.
39
533 RecommendaUons to the ~ocall community
Local people should change their attitudes towards women as sex objects. This will
necessitate change in cultural values which are stereotypical and promote gender based
violence. Men should get to understand that women are equal to them irrespective of
the biological differences.
Parents should treat all children equally in terms of resource provision and education so
that both can have a chance to support them selves in future. Early and forced
marriages should be stopped so that girls can take decisions on their own.
Local communities should allow women to take part in the decision making process
both at the family level and community level. This will lead to sharing of important
knowledge which is important for community development.
Communities should improve on the gender relations so as to look at gender equity and
equality as fundamental aspects for community development and they should learn to
understand that women can perform some functions much well than men. This will
make women to participate in decision making for community development.
40
REFERENCES
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1999).
Anderson, C, M, (1999): Single Parent families, Strengths, Variability and Interventions,
Vancouver University of British Columbia.
Gorlik, C. A, Pomfet, D. A (1993:pg. 253,270): Hope and Circumstance-Single Mothers
Existing Social Assistance.
GTZ, Uganda.
Lero, D. S, Brockman L. M, (1993): Single Parent Families in Canada, Thomson
Educational Publishing, Toronto.
Ministry of finance planning and Development: (2004/05-2007/08) Poverty Eradication
Action Plan (PEAP), Kampala.
Roberts P.A, Scott L, (1998): Mediating Factors in Child Development Outcomes:
Children in Lone Parent Families, Human Resource Development, Ottawa, Canada.
Ross, Scott & Smith (2000): The Canadian Fact Book of Poverty, Canadian Council on
Social Development, Ottawa.
Spector, A. N, Klodawsky, F, (1993: pg. 239-252): The housing Needs of Single Parent
Families in Canada.
Street Children Narrative, (1998), Belinda Publishers, Kampala.
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), 2006, Kampala.
41
Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, 2006, Macro International Inc. Maryland,
USA.
Uganda Population and Housing Census Analytical Report, October (2006), UBOS,
Kampala.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) Ward, M, (2002: 3 Ed,
pg.209): The Family Dynamic - A Canadian Perspective, Thomson Learning. Ontario -
Canada.
White, L, (1994: Vol. 56, pg. 935 — 948): Growing up with Single Parents & Step —
parents. Long term effects on Family Solidarity, Journal of Marriage and Family.
42
APPENDIX I
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PSYCHO-SOCIAL BACKROUND OF THE SINGLE PARENT
1. Age
(a)15-24 [](b)25-34 [1(c)35-44 [1(d) Don’t know [1
2. Sex
(a)Male [1(b) Female [1
3. Occupation (current activities)
(a) Hiring out labour [1(b) As a food vendor [1(c) Selling food stuffs by the roadside [1(d) Farming [1
4. Reason for being single
(a) Loss of spouse [1(b) Divorce [ ](c) Unmarried [](d) Separated [1
5. Do you have children (If so how many?)
6. Age group of your children
(a)5—9 [ I(b)1O-14 [ ](c)15-17 [ j
(d) Don’t know [ ]7. How many children go to school?
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8. What other activities do your children carry out?
9. What are the reasons for carry out these activities?
10. What is your educational background?
11. What is your average monthly earning?
12. Is your income enough to support your family?
13. Do you receive any external support?
14. If so what kind of support do you receive?
15. How often do you spend time with your children?
16. Do you have a very close relationship with your children?
17. What problems do you experience as a single parent?
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APPENDIX II
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PSYCHO-SOCIAL BACKROUND OF THE CHILD
2. Age
(e)5--9 [1(f)10-14 [1(g)15-17 [1(h) Don’t know [1
18. Sex
(C) Male [1(d) Female [J
19. Who of your parents are you living with?
(e) Father only [1(f) Mother only [1(g) Other [1
20. Education background (current status)
(e) Schooling [](f) Dropped out [1(g) Completed primary [1(h) Never gone to school [1
21. Do you have children (If so how many?)
22. Education level for those at school
(e) Primary 1- 4 [1(F) Primary5 -7 El(g) Secondary [I(h) Vocational Training [I
23. Are there any activities you carry out?
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24. What are the reasons for carrying out these activities?
25. Do you receive any external support?
26. If so what kind of support do you receive?\
27. What effects do you experience living with a single parent?
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