The Effect Of Low-Wage Jobs Performed By Single Mothers On Child-Welbeing: A Case Of Dodoma City Council

ABSTRACT

In latest decades there has been a dramatic growth in the number of single-parent families, the large majority of whom are single mothers. In the fast-changing societies around the world, the incidence of single-mother families continues to grow at a steady rate. Their life situations have been found to be in tatters for most of them. For instance, most of single mothers live in poverty and even many more are vulnerable to poverty. Accordingly, this study has attempted to hub on the effect of low-wage jobs performed by single mothers on child-wellbeing in Dodoma City Council. The study employed a mix of methods; mostly qualitative but also quantitative data. The study involved 100 respondents as a sample size from the population of single mothers working in low-wage jobs identified from the study area. It collected data by questionnaires. Interview administered questionnaire and in-depth interview were used. The findings of this exploration unveiled that low-wage jobs have so many challenges that affect single mothers and ultimately lead to the effect to child-wellbeing at home. These challenges include; low wages, work-family stress, work fatigue and tiredness, provision of both fatherly and motherly responsibilities by the same person (single mothers).Thus, in order to address these challenges, a number of recommendations were given to be taken by the government, the community and other related stakeholders, including the government to establish good policies that underline the importance of better working conditions for these mothers to care and attend their children; additionally, to hold responsible partners of these single mothers for neglecting their families, including establishing monthly or weekly pay to their families, in order to help these single mothers access loans so as to enable them to start some businesses for their families‟ survival.