Challenges Facing Single Mothers in Supporting their Adolescent Children: A Case of Dodoma, Tanzania

Abstract

This study investigated on challenges facing single mothers in supporting their adolescent children in Dodoma, Tanzania. The study employed the qualitative approach with the phenomenological research design. The population of the study comprised of all single mothers of three wards in Dodoma City Council and eight Social Welfare Officers from the studied wards and city council. A sample of 30 single mothers was drawn through a purposive sampling technique, and five Social Welfare Officers were selected as key informants. Semi-structured interview guides were used to gather data from respondents and key informants and the responses were tape-recorded. Data was transcribed and analysed using the thematic analysis method. The study established that single mothers experienced manifold challenges in supporting their adolescent children. The challenges ranged from economic, social, cultural, to psychological. The study recommended that support mechanisms from government and non-governmental organisations be in place to empower single mothers with prerequisite tools that will help them become economically stable. Social cultural practices that stigmatize and deprive single women’s property and consequently hinder single mothers from supporting their children adolescents should be stopped. Social welfare officers should provide training to the community on the rights of single mothers to live, to be respected, to own land and other property and to be supported.