Woven resilience:
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Date
2025-09
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University of the Philippines Baguio
Abstract
Single motherhood is on the rise globally, with millions of children being brought up in homes headed by a woman. In spite of Republic Act 11861, or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, many single mothers in the Philippines are unaware of their rights and continue to suffer inequalities in social and economic assistance. This research employed a phenomenological design in exploring the lived experiences, support networks, resilient strategies, and self-perceptions of fourteen (14) single mothers. Data was gathered from interviews, focus group discussions, and journaling and analyzed them thematically.
The results revealed that single mothers continually encounter difficulties such as money problems, dependency on parents, psychological pressure, and responsibility overloaded. Whereas family and relatives are principal sources of support, government programs and assistance are perceived as insufficient or insensitive. Survival mechanisms involved acceptance, proactivity, resilience, constructing support systems, and firm religion. In spite of uncertainty, single mothers perceive themselves as strong, proactive, and empowered, displaying resilience and selflessness in caring for their children.
According to these results, the study suggests: (1) instituting training and mental health assistance programs to enhance coping and parenting skills; (2) establishing policies and mentorship schemes that address single mothers' needs and their children; (3) offering opportunities to identify and exchange survival mechanisms via communitybased groups and activities; and (4) fostering inclusion and recognition of single mothers' remarkable contribution in community. In summary, the research underscores the necessity of responsive policies and interventions that enable single mothers to be empowered so that no one is left behind.
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Keywords
Single mothers, Resilience, Coping strategies, Social support, Self-perception, Phenomenology, Lived experiences, Parenting challenges, Solo parents, RA 11861 (Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act), Survival strategies, Emotional well-being, Financial hardship, Work–life balance, Women empowerment, Mental health, Social stigma
Citation
Parungao, C. B. (2025). Woven resilience: Stories of survival strategies among single mothers. [Unpublished Master's Thesis]. Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – Mid La Union Campus, City of San Fernando, La Union. Lakasa ti Sirib, DMMMSU Institutional Repository.