THE NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY
ISSN: 0331-4111
Volume 17, No. 2, November 2019
Pages 100-112
DOI: 10.36108/NJSA/9102/71(0270)
Single Motherhood: Experiences of Never Married Women in Lagos, Nigeria
Samuel Ojima Adejoh1, Raymond Kayode Kuteyi2, Victor Ogunsola3, Temilade Adeyinka Adeoye3
1Department of Social Work, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria
2Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
3Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria
Abstract
Despite the benefits of marriage, there has been a rise in the number of single parent families, especially never married single mothers globally. This may bring about serious social problems as the consequences of children raised by single mother have been documented. Yet, little research has been conducted to find out why there is increase in the number of never married single mothers. Therefore, this study investigated and described the experiences of women who were never married but are bearing children and raising those children as single mothers. The study adopted the qualitative research method, utilizing in-depth interviews to collect data from consenting participants. The study location was Iwaya, Lagos, Nigeria, and the participants were selected using snowball sampling technique. Forty never-married single mothers were sampled and interviewed using an in-depth interview guide. The data were transcribed and content analysed. Some of the perceived reasons for the rise in the number of never married single mother identified include family background, sexual abuse, age, careless sexual behaviour and non-use of contraceptives, personal preference and perceived economic benefits. There is the need to educate women on how to prevent sexual abuse and also on proper use of contraceptive for those who may want to engage in sexual intercourse, but may not be ready to get married.