Single Parenting and the Emotions of Adolescents in Secondary Schools

Examining the Case of Eldoret Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

The article sets out to demonstrate the influence of single parenting on the emotions of adolescents in secondary schools in Eldoret Municipality. It sets on the premise that the family is the basic functional social unit in determining the healthy growth and development of children. That emotional wellbeing of the child is significantly tied to the parenting styles and skills. In its methodology, it employs the descriptive study design. Computer programmes, both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analyses. The descriptive statistics used in analysis includes means, frequencies and percentages, whereas inferential statistics were t-test for independent samples and Chi-square tests; with results of the analysis showed that there was non-significant difference. Students from single parent families and those from two parent families do not differ in their emotional level t(279) =-.49,P =.626. It is theoretically informed by Erik Erikson’s (1982) theory of psychosocial development. The central argument of Erikson’s theories emphasizes on the importance of early childhood experiences on later growth and development of the child. Erikson (1968) hypothesized that the personality of an individual forms as the ego progresses through a series of interrelated stages. Each of these ego stages has critical period of development. Personality develops in a series of turning points, which he described in terms of dichotomous of desirable qualities and dangers. The study findings provided a basis for equipping teachers, couples, single parents, policy makers and organization dealing with children on psychological well-being and adolescents from single families and those from intact families.