Tahanang Walang Ilaw: A Case Study Exploring the Single Fathers’ Lived Experiences in Child-Rearing Practices

Single parenting is a difficult thing to do. And when people talk about it, the first thing that comes to mind is a single mother. Masculinity is a term that is linked with men that corners their feelings in an idea that they should be strong. Only a few studies can be found that are focused on the well-being and challenges that a single father faces in child-rearing. In this study, the researchers aim to explore about the single fathers’ story specifically their lived experiences; (1) explore about single fathers’ experiences (2) to know the challenges faced by Single fathers (3) identify the child-rearing practices of Single fathers (4) discover the coping mechanisms that single fathers use to cope up with problems. Using a semi- structured interview guide, 3 participants will be interviewed for data gathering and using Thematic Analysis (TA) the study interprets the following: (1) the experiences of the participants shows that most of the Single fathers go through grief and self-neglect. The pressure of providing for their children also causes them to have sacrificial love for their children to the point of overworking for them and forgetting about the well-being of oneself (2) providing the children’s need, sharing custody and time management is the most effective way for the participants to take care of their children (3) challenges such as financial, emotional well-being and lack of experience on being a single father are the most common trials that the participants faced (4) the coping mechanisms varies from person to person but the participants of the study cope up with challenges by means of alcoholism, social support and turning to God.