GENDER DIFFERENCE IN THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENTS OF NIGERIAN SINGLE PARENTS

ABSTRACT: The research work on the gender difference and the psychological adjustments of single parent looks at the problem, challenges, courses, possible prevention to the aids of single parenting in Bayelsa. the course of single parent in mother may be at the state of rape, teenage pregnancy, divorce , death of the husband. The presence of both parent in a family give aids to child, sense of belonging in the community ,In school and boost the child confidence in all aspect has they grow.  The area single parent is facing challenges is especially when the home is control and run by a women. The stress and weakness of single mother are linked with the upbringing of children looking at the Bayelsa eco-system, woman are more affect in Bayelsa because major are market woman and the inadequate supply of food in the riverbank area, these affect their future and setting down in life. Many of the single mother reported that they felt lonely, helpless, hopeless, lack of identity and lack of confidence. They stress of single parent reduce when the children are grown to a level of assisting themselves. The present study like, to study the challenges, possible prevention, problem faced by single mothers i.e. social, emotional and economic, a sample of 50 single mothers were selected by random sampling technique. The results of the research show that financial issues were the main stress for many single mothers. The emotional life of the single mother was also affected by their single status. Many of the single mothers found it hard to maintain discipline among the children due to absence of male. So many single parent tried to avoid attending social gatherings and had changed their dressing style due to depression they had develop poor food and eating habits.