Challenges of Single-Mother Families in Ramsar
Subject Areas : Social issues and injuries related to women and the familytayebeh bakhshipoor beltorki 1 , amir qorbanpoorlafmejani 2 *
1 - M.A degree, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
2 - Associate Professor, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
Keywords: Challenge, Family, Single-Parent Families, Single-Mother Families, Qualitative Study.,
Abstract :
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
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[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.
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