Home⇛Isabela State University Linker: Journal of Education, Social Sciences and Allied Health⇛vol. 1 no. 2 (2024)

Resilient Bonds: Social Capital, Coping Strategies and Challenges of Filipino Single Mothers in Umingan, Pangasinan

Hale Faith Dela Cruz | Peachy G. Domingo | Maria Editha N. Lim | Anna Marie Del Rosario

Discipline: Sociology

 

Abstract:

The prevalence of single motherhood is a significant global phenomenon marked by a distinct set of challenges. This issue is particularly pronounced in Umingan, Pangasinan, where the number of single mothers is steadily increasing. While considerable research exists on single parenthood, there remains a gap in understanding how social capital intersects with the struggles and coping mechanisms of single mothers. To address this, data were collected from ten informants through purposive sampling and analyzed using thematic analysis, offering a comprehensive exploration of their lived experiences. The findings revealed three central themes: the challenges faced by single mothers, the role of social capital in their lives, and the coping strategies they employ. The challenges identified include financial difficulties, parenting demands, and relationship issues. In terms of social capital, single mothers rely on bonding social capital, such as support from immediate family and close friends, for financial assistance and emotional stability. They also utilize bridging social capital to access government services, community aid, and other resources. The case of Filipino single mothers is particularly distinctive. Despite their marginalized position, they effectively leverage their networks of family, friends, neighbors, and community acquaintances to secure financial support, assistance, and even credit. The collectivist culture of Filipinos plays a pivotal role in their coping strategies, providing not only material resources but also a vital source of emotional support.



References:

  1. Adler, P. S., & Kwon, S.-W. (2002). Social capital: Prospects for a new concept. Academy of Management Review, 27(1), 17–40.
  2. Aloro, A. L., Berbano, A. S., Ellamil, M. B., Calubiran, G., & Suarez, G.-S. P. A. (2024). Challenges Encountered by Solo Parents’ in Raising their Children in Nagcarlan, Laguna: Basis for an Action Plan Development. IJFMR - International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i03.23139
  3. Andrada-Poa, M. R. J., Jabal, R. F., & Cleofas, J. V. (2022). Single mothering during the COVID-19 pandemic: A remote photovoice project among Filipino single mothers working from home. Community, Work & Family, 25(2), 260–278. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2021.2006608
  4. Bain, M. C. (2020). Exploring the challenges of single mothers in the Philippines: Empowerment as diaconal task of Evangelical church in the Philippines [Master’s thesis, VID Specialized University]. https://hdl.handle.net/11250/2825396
  5. Berryhill, M. B., & Durtschi, J. A. (2017). Understanding single mothers’ parenting stress trajectories. Marriage & Family Review, 53(3), 227–245. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2016.1204406
  6. Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. G. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education (pp. 241–258). Greenwood Press.
  7. Bradley, S. J., & Goldstein, S. E. (2022). “People think it’s easy because I smile, but it’s not easy”: The lived experiences of six African American single mothers. Journal of American Studies, 26(1), 16–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-022-09574-6
  8. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
  9. Carroll, N. J. (2017, July). Lone mothers’ experiences of stigma: A comparative study [Doctoral thesis, University of Huddersfield]. University of Huddersfield Repository. http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/34358/1/FINAL%20THESIS%20-%20Carroll.pdf
  10. Chant, S. (1997). Marginal (m)others: Lone parents and female household headship in the Philippines. The European Journal of Development Research, 9(2), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/09578819708426688
  11. Dela Luna, K. L. G., Castro, M. J. G., & Ferido, M. P. (2023). Never enough! A qualitative study on single parenting and child-rearing in a selected community in Nagcarlan, Laguna. Journal Article, Article 5901. https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/journal-articles/5901
  12. Dharani, M. K., & Balamurugan, J. (2024). The psychosocial impact on single mothers’ well-being – A literature review. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 13(1), Article 148. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1045_23
  13. Dor, A. (2021). Single motherhood by choice: Difficulties and advantages. Journal of Educational and Development Psychology, 11(1), 18–27. https://doi.org/10.5539/jedp.v11n1p18
  14. Fajardo-Jarilla, R. (2023, March 8). Philippines: Single mothers continue to fight stigma. Institute for War & Peace Reporting. https://iwpr.net/global-voices/philippines-single-mothers-continue-fight-stigma
  15. Garcia, S. R., Lim, W. C., Pascua, P. K., Santiago, M. P., & Tus, J. (2021). Inang tatay: The journey of single moms amidst COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Advance Research and Innovative Ideas in Education, 7(1), 962–976. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13726213.v1
  16. Geronimo, J. (2021, May 9). How solo parents in the Philippines navigated the pandemic. Rappler.
  17. Gonzales, M. F., & Saavedra, L. D. (2020). Single parenting and well-being: Experiences of single mothers in Manila, Philippines. Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science, 8(10), 23–29.
  18. Hays, S. (1996). The cultural contradictions of motherhood. Yale University Press.
  19. Hoque, M. E. (2020). Parenting stress in single mothers: Examining the role of family support. South African Journal of Psychology, 50(3), 374–383.
  20. Hwang, W., & Jung, J. Y. (2023). Empowering single mothers: A socio-ecological framework for intervention. Journal of Family Studies, 29(1), 42–59.
  21. Keene, R. L., & Batson, C. D. (2010). Role of social support in single mothers’ stress management. Family Relations, 59(1), 55–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2009.00582.x
  22. Kelly, M. P., & Hennessy, C. (2018). Exploring resilience among single mothers in urban settings. Urban Studies, 55(3), 711–727.
  23. Laguna Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. (2022). Annual report on single parent programs and initiatives in Laguna.
  24. Lanuza, G. M., & Morales, M. E. (2022). Understanding the stigma: Single mothers in the Filipino context. Philippine Sociological Review, 70(1), 14–35.
  25. Lee, H. Y., & Johnson, M. (2021). The power of storytelling: Single mothers’ experiences of discrimination. Social Inclusion, 9(4), 77–87. https://doi.org/10.17645/si.v9i4.4365
  26. Llorca, F. L. (2019). Empowering single mothers through livelihood programs in rural Philippines. Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 13(2), 93–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/aswp.12179
  27. McLanahan, S., & Sandefur, G. (1994). Growing up with a single parent: What hurts, what helps. Harvard University Press.
  28. Medina, B. T. G. (2001). The Filipino family (2nd ed.). University of the Philippines Press.
  29. Mendoza, A. B. (2020). From surviving to thriving: Single mothers and community support. Philippine Journal of Social Development, 10(2), 52–66.
  30. Milkie, M. A., & Denny, K. E. (2021). Parenting amidst stigma: Single mothers’ challenges and coping mechanisms. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 13(4), 317–332. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12422
  31. Moreno, J. L. (2021). Single-parent households in the Philippines: Analyzing the gendered implications of caregiving. Asian Journal of Women’s Studies, 27(3), 285–301.
  32. Morillo, H. R., Capuno, J. J., & Mendoza, A. C. (2020). Single parent dynamics in the Philippines: Trends and policy implications. Philippine Review of Economics, 57(2), 171–194.
  33. Ocampo, R. A. (2018). The role of extended families in supporting single mothers in the Philippines. Philippine Sociological Review, 66(2), 147–163.
  34. Ortega, C. M., & Lorenzo, A. C. (2021). Single mothers in rural Philippines: Community-based strategies for economic resilience. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 52(1), 123–140.
  35. Padilla, C. D., & Villamor, E. S. (2022). Mothering solo: The intersection of poverty and single motherhood in the Philippines. Journal of Asian Social Science, 9(3), 56–69.
  36. Philippine Statistics Authority. (2020). Census of population: Statistics on single-parent households in the Philippines. https://psa.gov.ph
  37. Pillay, J., & Mukheibir, P. (2021). Empowering single mothers through sustainable development initiatives. International Journal of Social Work, 24(2), 88–102.
  38. Ravanera, C. Z. (2019). Solo mothers and the law: Legal frameworks affecting single parenthood in the Philippines. Journal of Philippine Development Policy, 46(1), 31–49.
  39. Reyes, A. D., & Evangelista, M. L. (2021). The social stigma of single mothers in conservative societies: A comparative study. Journal of Asian Women’s Studies, 18(2), 213–229.
  40. Salvacion, R. E. (2023). Navigating the challenges of single parenting: The Filipino experience. Philippine Journal of Social Sciences, 12(4), 34–49.
  41. Talavera, J. D. (2020). Mothering against odds: Empowerment programs for single mothers in Metro Manila. Journal of Philippine Education, 54(3), 22–35.
  42. Tan, E. M., & Cruz, J. A. (2021). Challenges of education and employment for single mothers in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Labor and Employment, 17(2), 92–108.
  43. Villanueva, A. A. (2018). Social support and its impact on the well-being of Filipino single mothers. Journal of Asian Social Research, 5(1), 101–119.

Tools


Copyright © 2025  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic