The silent struggle: A qualitative study on the lives of single fathers
Keywords:
Family, Single Fathers, Career Adjustment, Dual Responsibility, Socio- Psychological ChallengAbstract
This study investigates the lived experiences of single fathers in Islamabad, Pakistan, with a focus on their struggles, coping mechanisms, and the complex realities of parenting in a traditionally patriarchal society. Using a qualitative research design, the study adopts an interpretivist paradigm to explore the subjective realities of single fathers, shaped by cultural, social, and economic factors. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 14 single fathers, selected through snow ball sampling until data saturation was reached. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key patterns and insights within the narratives. The study also shedding light the difficulties single fathers encounter when they go from two-parent to single-parent households because of cultural norms based on traditional gender roles. The findings reveal themes such as emotional isolation, career and financial adjustments, societal stigma, and the redefinition of paternal roles. Despite their challenges, participants demonstrated resilience and a strong commitment to nurturing their children. This study contributes to the limited body of knowledge on fatherhood in South Asian contexts and challenges dominant gender norms by giving voice to a marginalized parental identity. The research highlights the need for inclusive social policies and support systems that recognize and empower single fathers.
Downloads
References
Achour, M., Bensaid, B., & Nor, M. R. B. M. (2015). An Islamic Perspective on Coping with Life Stressors. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 1(3), 663–685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-015-9389-8
Albert, A. (2018). Parental duties, labor market behavior, and single fatherhood in America. Review of Economics of the Household, 16(4), 1063–1083. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11150-018-9419-z
Alexeevich, P. V., & Alexandrovna, K. T. (2018). Single-father Parenting in Contemporary Russian and Foreign Social Science Research. Asian Social Science, 14(2), 173-178.
Ali,K .S., & Soomar, S. M. (2019).Single Parenting: Understanding Reasons and Consequences. Joj Nursing & Health Care, 10(2), 001-003. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v14n2p173
Amissah, A. A. (2021). Demographic characteristics and willingness to remain single: the case of male single-parents in Elmina, Ghana. Norma, 16(1), 57–72.
Amissah, A. A., Mensah, J. V., & Antwi, K. B. (2015). Role performance and challenges of male single-parent families in the central region of Ghana. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2(11), 140-147.
Arboleda, D. J. D., & Singson, D. N. E. (2022). Bittersweet Metamorphosis: lived experiences of emerging adult single fathers on parenting in a rural community. Technium Social Sciences Journal, 30, 426–441.
Azuka-Obieke, U. (2013). Single-parenting, psychological well-being and academic performance of adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies, 4(1), 112-117.
Bastaits, K., Ponnet, K., & Mortelmans, D. (2014). Do Divorced Fathers Matter? The impact of parenting styles of divorced Fathers on the Well-Being of the Child. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 55(5), 363–390.
Bau, N., & Fernández, R. (2021). The Family as a Social Institution. Ssrn Electronic Journal. 1-39.
Bennett, K. M. (2007). “No sissy stuff”: Towards a theory of masculinity and emotional expression in older widowed men. Journal of Aging Studies, 21(4), 347-356. 76
Bronte‐Tinkew, J., Scott, M. E., & Lilja, E. (2010). Single Custodial Fathers’ Involvement and Parenting: Implications for Outcomes in Emerging Adulthood. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(5), 1107–1127.
Cabılar, B. Ö., & Yılmaz, A. E. (2022). Divorce and post-divorce adjustment: Definitions, models and assessment of adjustment. Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar, 14(1), 1-11.
Carone, N., Baiocco, R., Lingiardi, V., & Ciocca, G. (2017). Single fathers by choice using surrogacy: why men decide to have a child as a single parent. Human Reproduction, 32(9), 1871-1879.
Chiu, M., Rahman, F., Vigod, S. N., Lau, C., Cairney, J., & Kurdyak, P. (2018). Mortality in single fathers compared with single mothers and partnered parents: a population-based cohort study. The Lancet Public Health, 3(3), 115–123.
Coles, R. L. (2009). Just Doing What They Gotta Do: Single Black Custodial Fathers Coping with the Stresses and Reaping the Rewards of Parenting. Journal of Family Issues. 30(10), 1311-1338.
Coles, R. L. (2015). Single-Father Families: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 7(2), 144-166.
Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Currie, H., & Sider, S. (2013). Daughters of single Fathers: working as a team. Canadian Journal of Family and Youth, 5(1), 65–89.
Dawadi, S. (2019). Strengths and challenges of single mothers in Helsinki [Bachelor's thesis]. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences.
DeGarmo, D. S., Patras, J., & Eap, S. (2008). Social Support for Divorced Fathers’ Parenting: Testing a Stress-Buffering Model. Family Relations, 57(1), 35–48.
DeJean, S. L., McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2012). Attitudes Toward Never-Married Single Mothers and Fathers: Does gender Matter? Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 24(2), 121–138.
Denby, R. W., Brinson, J. A., Cross, C. L., & Bowmer, A. (2014). Male kinship caregivers: Do they differ from their female counterparts? Children and Youth Services Review, 46, 248-256.
Dawadi, S. (2019). Strengths and challenges of single mothers in Helsinki [Bachelor's thesis].
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2013). The Sage handbook of qualitative research (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Dhungel, B., Kato, T., Kachi, Y., Ochi, M., Gilmour, S., & Takehara, K. (2023). Prevalence and Associated Factors of Psychological Distress Among Single Fathers in Japan. Journal of epidemiology, 33(6), 294–302.
Dufur, M. J., Howell, N. C., Downey, D. B., Ainsworth, J. W., & Lapray, A. J. (2010). Sex Differences in Parenting Behaviors in Single-Mother and Single-Father Households. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(5), 1092–1106.
Eynde, A. V. D., Claessens, E., & Mortelmans, D. (2020). The consequences of work-family conflict in families on the behavior of the child. Jfr-Journal of Family Research, 32(1), 123-144.
Faulconer, S. C. M., Hveem, M. R., & Dufur, M. J. (2022). Gendered Associations between Single Parenthood and Child Behavior Problems in the United Kingdom. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(24), 16726.
Flabbi, L., & Moro, A. (2012). The effect of job flexibility on female labor market outcomes: estimates from a search and bargaining model. Journal of Econometrics, 168(1), 81–95.
Forste, R., Bartkowski, J. P., & Jackson, R. A. (2009). “Just Be There for Them”: Perceptions of Fathering among Single, Low-income Men. Fathering, 7(1), 49–69.
Gasse, V. D., & Mortelmans, D. (2020). Social support in the process of household reorganization after divorce. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37(6), 1927-1944.
Goldscheider, F., Scott, M. E., Lilja, E., & Bronte-Tinkew, J. (2013). Becoming a Single Parent. The role of father and mother characteristics. Journal of Family Issues, 36(12), 1624-1650.
Graf, T. E., & Wojnicka, K. (2021). Post-separation fatherhood narratives in Germany and Sweden: between caring and protective masculinities. Journal of Family Studies, 29(3), 1022–1042.
Greeff, A. P., & Fillis, A. J. (2009). Resiliency in poor Single-Parent families. Families in Society, 90(3), 279–285.
Griffin, B., & Hesketh, B. (2003). Adaptable behaviours for successful work and career adjustment. Australian Journal of psychology, 55(2), 65-73.
Gul, A. Naz,A. & Baloch, A, M. (2018). High Ratio of Divorce and its Rationale in Pakistan. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 9(2), 24–32.
Haudar, F. S., Guhao Jr., E. S., & Rodriguez, G. D. (2016). The journey of solo-male parents of Public elementary school children: Challenges and prospects. International Journal of Education and Research, 4(10), 175-190.
Haworth, S. (2019). A Systematic Review of Research on Social Work Practice with Single Fathers. Practice, 31(5), 329–347.
Hilton, Jeanne M., Stephan Descrochers, and Esther L. Devall. (2001). Comparison of Role Demands, Relationships, and Child Functioning in Single-Mother, Single-Father, and Intact Families. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 35(1/2): 29-56.
Hook, J. L., & Chalasani, S. (2008). Gendered Expectations? Reconsidering Single Fathers' Child-Care Time. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70(4), 978-990.
Howe-Huist, E. S. (2013). Single fathers and social support. E Grove.
Iztayeva, A. (2021). Custodial Single Fathers before and during the Covid-19 Crisis: Work, Care, and Well-Being. Social Sciences, 10(3), 94.
Iztayeva, A. (2022). Single fathers and work–family conflict in white- and blue-collar jobs. Community, Work & Family, 1–16.
Janikowski, E. N. (2021). Experiences and Challenges in Single Fatherhood: A Literature Review on Single, Custodial Fathers. The University of Akron.
Janzen, B. L., & Kelly, I. W. (2012). Psychological distress among employed fathers: Associations with family structure, work quality, and the work–family interface. American Journal of Men's Health, 6(4), 294-302.
Janzen, B. L., Green, K., & Muhajarine, N. (2006). The Health of Single Fathers. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 97(6), 440–444.
Jones, C., Zadeh, S., Jadva, V., & Golombok, S. (2022). Solo Fathers and Mothers: An Exploration of Well-Being, Social Support and Social Approval. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 9236.
Jones, M. R., & Karsten, H. (2008). Giddens’s Structuration Theory and Information Systems Research. Mis Quarterly, 32(1), 127–157.
Kabongo, T. E., & Malose, L. (2023). Experiences of Black South African Single Fathers. The Open Psychology Journal, 16(1), 1-15.
Kalliath, T., & Brough, P. (2008). Work–life balance: A review of the meaning of the balance construct. Journal of Management & Organization, 14(3), 323–327.
Kjellstrand, E. K., & Harper, M. (2012). Yes, she can: An examination of resiliency factors in middle-and upper-income single mothers. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 53(4), 311- 327.
Kong, K. A., & Kim, S. I. (2015). Mental health of single fathers living in an urban community in South Korea. Comprehensive psychiatry, 56, 188–197.
Kramer, K. Z., Myhra, L. L., Zuiker, V. S., & Bauer, J. W. (2015). Comparison of Poverty and Income Disparity of Single Mothers and Fathers Across Three Decades: 1990–2010. Gender Issues, 33(1), 22–41.
KudengaMugove (2017). Challenges encountered by single parents in the learning and development of children. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 7(6), 178-185.
Lamsal, M. (2012, November 9). The Structuration Approach of Anthony Giddens. Himalayan Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 5, 111–122.
Leininger, L. J., & Ziol-Guest, K. M. (2008). Reexamining the Effects of Family Structure on Children's Access to Care: The Single-Father Family. Health Services Research, 43(11), 117-133.
Lu, Y. C., Walker, R., Richard, P., & Younis, M. (2019). Inequalities in Poverty and Income between Single Mothers and Fathers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 135.
Malik, T. A., & Irshad, N. (2012). Parental depression, stress, anxiety and childhood behavior problems among single parent families. Journal of Pakistan psychiatric society, 9(1), 10
Maurya, A. K., Parasar, A., & Sharma, A. (2015). The effect of single parent and both parents’ family on emotional and behavioral problems. Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing, 6(12), 1235.
McArthur, M., & Winkworth, G. (2016). What do we know about the social networks of single parents who do not use supportive services? Child & Family Social Work, 22(2), 638-647.
Munsch, C. L. (2016). Flexible work, flexible penalties: The effect of gender, childcare, and type of request on the flexibility bias. Social Forces, 94(4), 1567–1591.
Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Nieuwenhuis, R. (2020). Directions of thought for single parents in the EU. Community, Work & Family, 24(5), 559 - 566.
Nurhayani, N. (2019). Fathering Styles of Muslim Families Perceived from Personality Types in North Sumatera. Islam Realitas: Journal of Islamic & Social Studies, 5(1), 52.
Oztürk, M.S., & Boylu, A.A. (2015). Investigation of Economic Activities of Single Parent Families, Sosyoekonomi, 23(25), 93-111.
Quagrainie, F. A., Kabalan, A. A. M., Dankwa, A. D., & Erogul, M. S. (2022). Performing parenting: competencies and social capital for Ghanaian single fathers. International Journal of Gender Studies in Developing Societies, 4(4), 308-27.
Qureshi, A. A., Saeed, N., & Fatima, A. (2021). Impact of gender and socio-economic status of single parent on education attainment in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Educational Research, 4(4), 112-128.
Ronald,L. & Darlene. K (2007). What is Qualitative Research? Qualitative Research Reports in Communication. 8(1), 21-28.
Reid, E. (2015). Embracing, Passing, Revealing, and the Ideal Worker Image: How People Navigate Expected and Experienced Professional Identities. Organization Science, 26(4), 997–1017.
Rubi, D., & Kumar, S. (2022). Single Father’s Parenting and its impact on Adolescents’ Personality: With Special Reference; Capital of India. The Journal of Oriental Research Madras, 92(47), 64-75.
Saharudin, A. E., & Alavi, K. (2019). Exploring Stress Impact and Social Support towards Parenting Responsibility among Single Fathers. University Malaysia Terengganu Journal of Undergraduate Research, 1(4), 105-114.
Santos, R. A., & Alfred, M. V. (2016). Literacy, parental roles, and support systems among single Latino father families. Coabe Journal, 5(3), 5-17.
Saputra, M. F., & Krisnatuti, D. (2022). Level of stress, self-adjustment, and quality of life for single father. Journal of Child, Family, and Consumer Studies, 1(3), 166-174.
Sepek, M. N., & Jevtic, A. V. (2019). Social opinion on single-father families and their influence on child education. In Iceri 2019 Proceedings (577-584). Iated.
Shaukat, A., & Rashid, S. (2022). Personal Growth, Resilience and Burden of Care among Single Parents. Fwu Journal of Social Sciences, 16(2), 86-97.
Shorey, S., & Pereira, T. L. (2022). Parenting experiences of single fathers: A meta‐synthesis. Family Process, 62(3), 1093–1113.
Tanquerel, S. (2021). French Fathers in Work Organizations: Navigating Work-Life Balance Challenges. In Contributions to Management Science, 213–229.
Tarar, A. H., Asghar, H., Ijaz, M. M., & Tarar, M. A. (2021). Psychological well-being and adjustment of single parents: psychosocial and economic challenges. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal, 71(1), 76-81.
Tsfati, M., & Segal‐Engelchin, D. (2022). Lone parenthood in the COVID‐19 context: Israeli single gay fathers’ perspective. Child & Family Social Work, 27(4), 737–747.
Tsfati, M., & Segal-Engelchin, D. (2022). The social experiences of single gay fathers in Israel: An intersectional perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11356.
Turchi, J., & Bernabo, L. (2020). “Mr. Mom” no more: single-father representations on television in primetime drama and comedies. Critical Studies in Media Communication, 37(5), 437-450.
Van den Eynde, A., Claessens, E., & Mortelmans, D. (2020). The consequences of work-family conflict in families on the behavior of the child. Journal of Family Research, 32(1), 123-144.
Van Rooyen, M. (2013). Structure and agency in news translation: An application of Anthony Giddens’ structuration theory. Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 31(4), 495-506.
Wade, T. J., Veldhuizen, S., & Cairney, J. (2011). Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorder in Lone Fathers and Mothers: Examining the Intersection of Gender and Family Structure on Mental Health. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 56(9), 567–573.
Waldvogel, P., & Ehlert, U. (2016). Contemporary Fatherhood and Its Consequences for Paternal
Waseem, J., Muneer, R., Hoor-Ul-Ain, S., Tariq, R., & Minhas, A. (2020). Psychosocial determinants of divorce and their effects on women in Pakistan: A national review. International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, 13(4), 299–315.
Psychological Well-being. A Cross-sectional Study of Fathers in Central Europe. Frontiers in Public Health, 4, 1-14.
Whitley, D. M., & Fuller-Thomson, E. (2015). The Health of the Nation’s Custodial Grandfathers and Older Single Fathers: Findings from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System. American Journal of Men’s Health, 11(6), 1614–1626.
Widding, U. (2021). Dilf or ditched? Representations of the ‘Single Father’ in Swedish Internet-Based forum discussions. In Palgrave Macmillan studies in family and intimate life (155–173).
Zartler, U. (2014). How to Deal with Moral Tales: Constructions and Strategies of Single-Parent Families. Journal of Marriage and Family, 76(3), 604–619.
Ziol-Guest, K. M. (2009). A Single Father’s Shopping Bag. Journal of Family Issues, 30(5), 605–622.
Downloads
Published
Data Availability Statement
Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Huma Butt, Sidra Ajmal, Dr. Tauqeer Hussain Shah (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
.png)
