Assessing the Community Perception on Single Motherhood Parenting at Mpanda Municipal Council, Tanzania.

Massatu, Victoria Eliya (2025) Assessing the Community Perception on Single Motherhood Parenting at Mpanda Municipal Council, Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study titled ―The Community’s Perception on Single Motherhood Parenting: A Case Study at Mpanda Municipality‖ aimed to: (i) assess cultural perceptions on single motherhood parenting, (ii) examine community practices toward single mothers, and (iii) investigate the support provided by social welfare officers. Guided by Ecological Systems Theory and an interpretivist philosophy, the study employed qualitative methods with a sample of 50 participants, and data were analyzed using Nvivo software. Findings revealed that single mothers in Mpanda Municipality face negative cultural attitudes linking single motherhood with moral failure, carelessness, or poor parenting. These beliefs create social stigma that affects both mothers and their children. The study further noted discriminatory community practices, where single mothers are excluded from social and cultural activities such as village meetings, initiation rites, and traditional marriage ceremonies, reinforcing their marginalization and social isolation. Additionally, social welfare officers provide referrals, legal aid, and counseling, yet their effectiveness is hindered by limited outreach, bureaucracy, and inadequate funding. Many single mothers struggle to access these services due to distance, negative treatment, or lack of awareness. The study concludes that the wellbeing of single mothers in Mpanda Municipality is undermined by harmful cultural beliefs, exclusionary practices, and weak social support systems. It recommends strengthening follow-up mechanisms, staff training, and decentralization to enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of social welfare services. Keywords: Cultural Perception, Community Practices, Social Welfare Officers, Single Motherhood.

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