Stronger Than Two: A Case Study on Social Development of Children in Single-Parent Households

Children in single-parent households develop within family, school, and community environments that may be shaped by limited time, financial strain, reduced parental presence, and social pressure. Guided by Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, this qualitative case study explored how three single parents in Davao City supported their children's social development. Participants were purposively selected, and data were obtained through semi-structured in-depth interviews, field observations, and document review. Thematic analysis identified challenges involving family responsibilities, school demands, inconsistent caregiving arrangements, community pressure, time constraints, financial limitations, limited maternal presence, and communication difficulties. Parents responded through regular parent-child communication, emotional support, positive behavior guidance, social opportunities, extended-family assistance, parent-teacher communication, monitoring, community support, time management, and personal resilience. The study further revealed that patience, communication, quality time, school partnership, parental strength, appropriate boundaries, and responses to social pressure shaped parents' understanding of their children's social growth. This study concludes that children's social development in single-parent households is influenced by interacting conditions across home, school, and community settings. Consistent communication, emotional support, collaborative school relationships, safe social participation, and accessible support systems can strengthen children's confidence, adjustment, and social competence.