SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING PARENTING AMONG SINGLE PARENTS’ HOUSEHOLDS IN KAPTEMBWA WARD, NAKURU WEST SUB - COUNTY, NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Single parents face great challenges in raising children like struggling to meet their physical, emotional and cognitive development. In Kenya single parents’ households are at greater risk of poverty which can lead to health and mental problems. These challenges are usually combined by parents’ inability to meet children’s basic needs due to being the sole breadwinner and balancing gender roles. Study aim was to determine socioeconomic factors affecting parenting among single parents. The study main the objective of the study was to focus on variables such as parental sex, income level, occupation, and age which are key in shaping overall family wellbeing. The study grounded itself on the Structural Functional Theory and Social Learning Theory. The study used a mixed-methods research design to integrate both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The survey tool was reviewed and validated by the supervisors and educational specialists. Data was collected from 530 target population consisting of single parents’ household heads, comprising men, women, and youths above 18 years in low-income areas of Kaptembwa Ward. The total sample size of 121 respondents was derived using strattified sampling methoug by grouping respondents into strata. Closed-ended questionnaire was was employed in collecting quantitative data while an interview guide was used in the key informant interviews and Focused group discussions. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS software to generate descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis. The results showed that 77% of the respondents earn a daily income of not more than Ksh 300. The 66.1% of the respondents howed that low income directly hinders parenting. Single mothers were 41.3% of the respondents were found to face greater challenges such as social stigma and limited access to employment opportunities compared to single fathers (49.6%) while the occupation of the respondents show that it plays an important role in parenting. The 74% of respondents were in agreement that their job responsibilities affected their ability to care and quality time for their children. The qualitative data employed in the study further revealed that single mothers, as a result of their double roles as caregivers and breadwinners. This heightened stress and burnout among the women. The Study helps in contributing to the Institute of gender and Development in informing research; knowledge building and advocacy aimed at enhancing gender equity and sustainable development. The study recommends that the Kenyan government develop policies such as accessible public daycare, child support, psychosocial support and flexible work program to enhance economic empowerment and wellbeing of single parents’ households