Abstract:
This study aims to explain the effect of single-mother headed families on children's educational,
health and psychosocial well-being in the case of Debre Tabor town vise-a-via intact and single father
headed families. Children growing up in a different family structure such as single mother, single
father and both parents had different experience of well-being; family structure in which children
growing up affects their well-being. This study adopts the UNICEF guidelines to measured children's
well-being in terms of a multi-package standard. As part of these multi-package measures of
children's well-being, this study focuses on educational, health and psychosocial aspects. The study
employed both qualitative and quantitative research method. The qualitative and quantitative data
were collected, analyzed and discussed concurrently and systematically. Qualitative data were
gathered by using semi-structured interview with children of single-mothers and Focus group
discussions (FGDs) with single-mothers and school authorities. On the other hand, the quantitative
data was collected using surrey supported through standard questionnaire. Questionnaires, interviews
and FGD guides were the data collection tools. All the collected data are presented by using tables
and graphs coupled with narration. The quantitative data analyses were supported by SPSS statistics
computer program; correlation, Chi-square and one-way ANOVA tests were run to establish the
relationship between dependent and independent variables, whereas thematic analysis and narrative
techniques were employed to analyze the qualitative data. Interpretations and discussions of results
proceeded in light of the study's specific objective (psychosocial, Health and educational) with
summaries at the end of each section. A theoretically grounded discussion of the primary and
secondary data made to make sound conclusions and recommendations for policymaking and social
intervention. The result of the study revealed that children growing up in single mother family had
scored lower well-being (happiness, self-esteem, health and education) as compared to children
headed by both parents but, they scored slightly a better psychosocial well-being than children's
growing in single father families; it was found that there is a social support (emotional & financial for
single mothers and their children by the community, government, NGOs and neighbors) and better
happiness in single mother headed families compared to single fathers.
