Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Darling and Steinberg (1993) defined a parenting style as the emotional climate in which

parents raise their children and it is characterized by dimensions of parental responsiveness and

demandingness. Parenting styles can be categorized according to the levels of parental

demandingness i.e. control, supervision & maturity demands and responsiveness i.e. warmth,

acceptance & involvement (Maccoby & Martin, 2003).

Furthermore, parenting styles have often been presented as a three-category structure

which is; authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive parenting styles Dornbusch et al. (1997).

An authoritarian parent demands obedience from the child and tries to shape and control the child’s

behaviors with an absolute set of standards. In contrast, a permissive parent tends to offer as

much freedom as the child wants, not demanding any form of conformity as long as the child’s

physical safety is not at risk. An authoritative parent, on the other hand, values both the child’s

autonomy and open communication with the child. An authoritative parent enforces rules and

standards using commands and sanctions when necessary (Baumrind, 1993).

Parents view the behavior of their children from a variety of perspectives. Variations in

the philosophies, needs, and goals of parents, as well as individual differences among parents

and children produce a complex mix of parenting views and practices. In spite of this diversity,

parents often have been seen as functioning either in an authoritarian or democratic style (Carter

& Welch, 1981).

In relation, these parenting styles vary as to what type of family is doing it. Nuclear

families, single parent families, extended Families or transnational Families’ parenting styles
have its similarities and differences.

As with the case from married families, recent studies reveal that when single mothers

implement an effective parenting style (i.e., being either demanding and responsive, while

practicing a consistent monitoring), their children adjust and function better in several aspects,

such as performance in school and positive emotional and social development (Leung & Shek,

2016; Malczyk & Lawson, 2017).

In addition, according to Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2009, a

report released by the U.S. Census Bureau every two years (and most recently in December 2011),

there are approximately 13.7 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents

are responsible for raising 22 million children. This number represents approximately 26% of

children under 21 in the U.S. today.

In the Philippines, in 2015, the Philippine Statistics Authority estimated about three

million household heads without a spouse — two million of whom were female. The Federation

of Solo Parents has a member base of 80,000.

With the ever growing population as well as the increasing number of single parents in

the Philippines, It is timely that this study was conducted to understand the parenting style of

solo parents in Cristo Rey, Capas, Tarlac. One must understand and clarify the parenting styles

of single parents in order to know more on their strengths and weaknesses that will give benefit

to other solo parents as well as other types of families. In addition, this current study will discover

the differences of parenting styles between single and other family types.

Statement of the Problem

 The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand the parenting style of solo parents

at Cristo Rey, Capas, Tarlac. The parenting style is generally defined as the techniques on how

they raised their children.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions

1. What are the profile of the respondents?

1.1 Age

1.2 Gender

1.3 Occupation

2. How are the parents characterized as to their parenting style?

3. What are the different types of parenting style?

4. How does parenting style improved individual development of single parents?