Abstract

This qualitative study seeks to identify the situational and cultural influences related to single motherhood among a specific population in South Africa. Through semi-structured interviews and participant observation, this thesis reveals the life stories and experiences of the women utilizing the Salem Baby Care Centre. Hopefully, this contributed to a better understanding of these Xhosa mothers' reasons for remaining single. These single mothers are caught in a cycle of poverty. They often begin having children at a very young age, leading to children with different fathers. This differs from traditional family systems where women and children were protected. Women are often solely responsible for the physical care of their children. Additionally, in recent years AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases have risen drastically. These factors, combined with the poverty of their partners which limits their ability to pay lobula, distrust of men, apartheid, and urbanization, are all explored in this study as reasons for these mothers remaining single.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Sociology

Rights

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