Mendeley TY _ JOUR ID - 1404031650535 TI - Challenges of Single-Mother Families in Ramsar JO - Research of deviance and social problems JA - ES LA - fa SN - 3060-821X AU - bakhshi tayebeh AU - qorbanpoorlafmejani amir AD - دانشگاه گیلان AD - گروه علوم تربیتی، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایران Y1 - 2025 PY - 2025 VL - 15 IS - SP - 57 EP - 85 KW - Challenge KW - Family KW - Single-Parent Families KW - Single-Mother Families KW - Qualitative Study. DO - N2 -

Challenges of Single-Mother Families in Ramsar[1]

 

Tayyebeh Bakhshipoor Beltorki *

Amir Qorbanpoor Lafmejani**

 

This qualitative study, employing inductive content analysis, investigated the challenges faced by single-mother families under the Ramsar County Welfare Department in 2025, conducting semi-structured interviews with 17 single mothers until data saturation was achieved after the 14th interview, with three additional interviews for validation. Six main themes emerged: economic and occupational challenges, psychological challenges, physical and sexual challenges, social challenges, familial challenges, and child-related challenges. Economic difficulties included job scarcity and insufficient income, psychological issues encompassed stress, anxiety, and depression, exacerbated by traditional gender roles in Iranian society, while physical and sexual challenges were intensified by work demands and spousal absence. Social challenges involved stigma and housing issues, familial challenges included lack of family support or blame and disputes with the ex-spouse’s family, and child-related challenges comprised behavioral, psychological, and academic issues. Aligned with domestic (Seydalipour, 2019) and international (Khan et al., 2022) research, the study recommends comprehensive governmental measures: flexible job opportunities, vocational training, free counseling, strengthened social support networks, public awareness programs, and legal reforms to ensure rights and social justice for single mothers and their children.

 

Keywords: Challenge, Family, Single-Parent Families, Single-Mother Families, Qualitative Study.

Introduction

The family, a crucial social institution, typically comprises a father, mother, and children, but some families are single-parent (Zare-Bahramabadi et al., 2014: 14). This structural change disrupts life’s order, serving as a source of stress and tension (Qorbanpoor Lafmejani, 2024: 146) and requiring significant adjustments (Yusuf et al., 2020: 1985). Statistics indicate a global rise in single-parent families in recent decades (Daliana & Antoniou, 2018: 77); for instance, in 2023, over 10 million single-parent families existed in the United States, with approximately 80% led by women (U.S. Statistics Center, 2023: 1). In Iran, the 2016 census reported that 7.2% of families were single-parent, 83% of which were headed by mothers (Statistical Center of Iran, 2016: 156). These families face diverse challenges, including economic, emotional, and educational difficulties, depression, and low self-esteem (Noronha & Monteiro, 2016: 57). Given that over 80% of single-parent families are led by mothers, this qualitative study, using content analysis, deeply explores the challenges faced by single mothers to achieve a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon, address gaps in predominantly quantitative domestic research, and answer the question: What challenges exist in the lives of single-mother families?

Research Background Domestic studies indicate that single mothers face numerous challenges, including socioeconomic issues, physical and mental health problems, stress, and depression (Seydalipour, 2019: 269), emotional and sexual needs (Mohammadi, 2020: 256), and difficulties in securing housing, suitable employment, education, healthcare, and food security (Alimandegari et al., 2018: 165). Interpersonal issues, relationships with the ex-spouse’s family and family of origin, and children’s academic and psychological problems have also been highlighted (Roghanchi et al., 2017: 53). In contrast, international research provides a broader examination, addressing sociocultural issues, childcare, employment, financial instability (Khan et al., 2023: 78), social stigma, child-rearing challenges (Thadathil, 2023: 607), and socioeconomic, cultural, and psychological challenges (Khan et al., 2022: 52). Additional issues include depression, anger, low self-esteem, isolation from loved ones (Noronha & Monteiro, 2016: 2456), and children’s low academic performance and strained relationships (Manengelo et al., 2023: 166).

Methodology

 This study adopted a qualitative strategy using inductive content analysis, extracting main categories and themes from raw data through valid inference and interpretation, involving thorough examination and continuous data comparison (Adel-Mehraban, 2015: 52). The research population comprised 336 single mothers under the Ramsar County Welfare Department in 2025. Purposive sampling selected 17 participants based on criteria including the absence of a male partner (due to divorce or death), having children, and willingness to participate. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, achieving data saturation after the 14th interview, with three additional interviews for validation. Interview question validity was ensured through supervisor consultation and review of prior research. Data analysis used the Hsieh and Shannon classification, employing conventional qualitative content analysis where codes were derived directly or indirectly from data (Adel-Mehraban, 2015: 41). After coding and categorization, main themes were extracted. Internal validity and acceptability of findings were confirmed through appropriate researcher engagement in data collection and supervisor review.

 

Findings

 Interviews with 17 single mothers identified six main themes regarding their challenges:

Economic and Occupational Challenges: Single mothers struggle to secure suitable employment and sufficient income to cover living expenses, exacerbated by limited job opportunities and financial instability.

Psychological Challenges: Multiple responsibilities lead to significant stress, anxiety, and depression, intensified by the absence of a partner and societal expectations.

Physical and Sexual Challenges: Heavy workloads and lack of spousal support exacerbate physical health issues and unmet sexual needs, impacting overall well-being.

Social Challenges: Negative societal judgments, feelings of being scrutinized, and difficulties in securing housing contribute to social exclusion and stigma.

Familial Challenges: Lack of support or blame from the mother’s family, strained relations with the ex-spouse’s family, and inheritance disputes create additional burdens.

Child-Related Challenges: Children in these families may exhibit behavioral, psychological, or academic difficulties, influenced by the absence of a father and maternal stress.

 

Discussion and Conclusion

This qualitative study examined the challenges of single mothers in Ramsar, revealing that the 17 participants face a wide range of economic, occupational, psychological, physical, sexual, social, familial, and child-related challenges. In Iranian society, where traditional gender roles predominate, the father’s absence amplifies these difficulties. Economic struggles stem from job scarcity and inadequate income, while psychological challenges, including stress, anxiety, and depression, arise from multiple responsibilities. Physical and sexual issues are worsened by demanding work and lack of a partner, and social challenges include stigma and housing difficulties. Familial issues involve lack of support, blame, or conflicts with the ex-spouse’s family, while children face behavioral, psychological, and academic issues. Consistent with domestic (Seydalipour, 2019) and international (Khan et al., 2022) research, the study recommends a comprehensive governmental approach: creating flexible job opportunities and vocational training, providing free counseling, strengthening social support networks, raising public awareness through educational programs, and revising laws to ensure legal rights and social justice for single mothers and their children.

 

References

Adel-Mehraban, M. (2015) A Review of Qualitative Content Analysis and Its Application in Research. Isfahan: University of Medical Sciences and Health Services of Isfahan Province. [In Persian]

Alimandegari, M., et al. (2018) Economic status of female heads of households under supportive institutions: A qualitative study in Shiraz. Journal of Population Association of Iran, 13(25), 165–192. [In Persian]

Daliana, N., & Antoniou, A. S. (2018) The mental health of single-parent families in relation to psychological, societal, and financial parameters. In T. K. Babalis et al. (Eds.), Single-Parenting in the 21st Century: Perceptions, Issues, and Implications (pp. 77–101).

Khan, M. I., et al. (2023) Exploring socio-cultural impediments on single mothers’ quality of life: Evidence from District Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. International Journal of Human and Society, 3(4), 78–88.

Khan, M. M., et al. (2022) Challenges of single motherhood in socio-cultural context: A qualitative study in rural areas of Bangladesh. Space and Culture, India, 10(2), 52–65.

Manengelo, A. M., et al. (2023) Challenges and impacts of single parenting on students’ learning in government secondary schools in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania. International Journal of Novel Research in Healthcare and Nursing, 10(3), 166–175.

 Mohammadi, Z. (2020) Sociological study of issues related to remarriage of female-headed households. Quarterly Journal of Woman and Society, 11(42), 256–278. [In Persian]

Noronha, L., & Monteiro, M. (2016). A study on the challenges faced by single parents on teenager care. International Journal of Advanced Trends in Engineering and Technology, 2456–4664.

Qorbanpoor Lafmejani, A. (2024). Fundamentals and Principles of Guidance and Counseling. Tehran: Zarnevasht. [In Persian]

Roghanchi, M., et al. (2017). Exploration of pathologies in mother-headed families. Counseling Culture and Psychotherapy, 8(31), 53–78. [In Persian]

Seydalipour, S. K. (2019). The relationship between cultural identity and quality of work life in female heads of households: A case study in Semnan City. Social-Political Research on Women and Family, 8(1), 269–296. [In Persian]

Statistical Center of Iran. (2016) National Statistical Yearbook. https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/PropertyAgent/6200/Files/95-99-03.pdf

Statistics Center. (2023) Table FG6: One-parent unmarried family groups with own children under 18, by marital status of the reference person: 2023. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/single-parent-day.html

Thadathil, B. (2023) Exploring the challenges faced by single mothers in Guyana. International Journal of Science and Research, 12(8), 607–611. U.S.

Yusuf, H., et al. (2020) Impact of single-mother family on child development: A review of literature. Palarch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 17(10), 1985–1994.

Zare-Bahramabadi, M., et al. (2014) The effectiveness of a relationship enhancement program on the quality of parent-child relationships in adolescent girls in mother-headed single-parent families. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 5(2), 14–24. [In Persian]

 

 

[1]. This article is based on the first author's master's thesis in family counseling at the University of Guilan and was written with the guidance of the second author.

* M.A degree, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

tayebehbakhshi78@gmail.com

** Corresponding Author: Associate Professor, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

qorbanpoorlafmejani@guilan.ac.ir

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