Child Rearing and Single-Parent Fathers

This paper is based on a study of 27 single-parent fathers. The convenience sample of predominately middle class caucasians consisted of fathers who had sole custody of and were rearing at least one dependent child with no adult female companion living with them at the time of the interview. The interview was designed to assess the five variables of goal facilitation transition procedures normative change role strain and ease of role transition during three different phases of their lives. Also included were questions on discipline interpersonal interaction and emotional needs of their children. It was concluded that single-parent fathers although able to adjust successfully to the requirements of single parenthood may improve their adjustment to single parenthood by: gaining education and experience with children; participating in household activities; being actively involved in discipline of their children; and by nurturing supportive interaction with their children. (authors)