Solitude The Joys, Groans and Hopes of Solo Parent-Teachers

This phenomenological study aimed to determine the motivations, difficulties, and aspirations of solo parent- teachers as revealed by their joys, groans, and hopes. Participants of the study were seven (7) solo parent-teachers who were individually interviewed. Quantitative content analysis was applied to
the interview results to analyze the data. The unit of analysis used were words and phrases from the results of the interview. To gather the responses, the participants’ replies were recorded using a voice recorder and was later transferred and written in the interview form in verbatim. The frequency of occurrence of words were counted. The themes and sub-themes were determined by the researchers with the help of an expert. Findings of the study revealed that the sources of joys of solo parent-teachers are financial freedom; fulfilling one’s child needs; and day-off from work these motivators fall under the themes safety needs, esteem needs, and basic needs. Their groans are brought by poor financial/ resource management; stress and fatigue; and child discipline which are related with the themes on safety and security and esteem needs. On the other hand, solo parent-teachers hope for work- life balance; flexible schedule; and proper education for their child which are all associated with the themes safety and security needs and love and belongingness needs. The findings are useful in designing appropriate interventions, policies, programs, projects and activities that will help the solo parent- teachers to increase their productivity.

Keywords – solo parent-teachers, motivations, difficulties, aspirations