The Academic Performance and Personality Development of Children in Single-Parent Families

Abstract

Children should grow up in a stable family environment where both parents fulfil their tasks as defined by their culture. In the contemporary period, one of the most significant issues a family encounters is family disorganization due to death, divorce, desertion, relocation, and to a lesser extent adaptation. Due to rising family disorganization, single-parent households face challenges as a sole parent may struggle to fulfil both paternal and maternal roles, potentially placing children at risk of inadequate educational support and care. The research investigated the effect of single-parent families on children's learning and development in Sri Lankan society. Hence, this study's objectives attempt to fulfil the requirement of a socio-anthropological approach to study the ability to provide physical care, academic assistance, household management, and meeting the emotional needs of children while balancing the personal lives of single parents. This study is based on twenty single-parent households including ten female-headed families, ten male-headed families and ten teachers who belong to four government schools have been selected from the Ratmalana DS division by purposive sampling method as the sample of the study. Qualitative methods and techniques have been applied to collect data including interviews, case studies, focus group discussions, and observation methods. According to the analysis, fifty per cent of single parents never attend parent-teacher conferences, and thirty per cent rarely do. Discussions with teachers revealed lower academic performances in these children. However, a review of registration documents indicated that children with single fathers as parents were more likely to have regular attendance and receive positive health feedback. Only one single father (5%) reported difficulties in addressing their daughter's emotional needs. The study concludes that academic performance and child development suffer in single-parent families. Policymakers, teacher educators, and curriculum designers should consider these findings to support students in overcoming life obstacles.

KEYWORDS: Academic performance, personality, single-parent households, socialization