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The reported shared experiences of six single mothers raising sons

Author

Karen G. Twaddell, University of the Pacific

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Dissertation - Pacific Access Restricted

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Educational Psychology

First Advisor

Thomas Nelson

First Committee Member

Lynn Beck

Second Committee Member

Dennis Brennan

Third Committee Member

Michael Elium

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore the life of single-mothers raising boys. The focus of this research was to provide information of life experiences for women who raised sons by themselves. The study also showed effects of divorce on single-mothers, pointed out experiences specific to raising boys, and looked at the issue of support. The study involved interviewing divorced single-mothers with standard, open-ended questions about raising boys. The questions discussed such issues as their relationships with their sons, and what types of support, if any, they had while they raised their sons. Participants included single-mothers who had not remarried, who were college graduates and whose language of communication was English. The interviews were then recorded and transcribed. The findings indicate that support to the mother does matter. The majority of the mothers interviewed had support for themselves and for their child. In most of the cases where support was offered, the primary figure was another female. In two-thirds of the cases, the other adult support figure was the grandmother. In one other case, it was the mother's daughter. Much of the literature states that outcomes on the lives of boys raised by single divorced mothers should be heavily impacted by problems in their lives (Amato & Keith, 1991). The 6 boys of the mothers interviewed here were not. While 4 of the mothers also had girls, certain issues were specific to raising boys. While 3 of the boys were young, 3 were over the age of 18 and their lives had not followed the prevailing research. This study indicated that for this particular group of single-mothers, support from others, determination and hard work on the part of the mothers, have made a difference in the lives of their sons. By providing support to the mother, support was made available to the son.

Pages

110

ISBN

9780549671879

Recommended Citation

Twaddell, Karen G.. (2008). The reported shared experiences of six single mothers raising sons. University of the Pacific, Dissertation - Pacific Access Restricted. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/2374