Parenting Strategies of Widows and Single-Mothers of Ilocos Sur

This is a preliminary study to determine the level of parenting strategies of widows and single-mothers in locos Sur. Frequency count and means were used to describe the profile of respondents. ANOVA determined the differences; and Pearson Product Moment Correlation determined significant relationships among variables. A survey questionnaire was employed to gather data involving 218 respondents from nine (9) municipalities Respondents were generally above middle-age widows who did not finish college, had less than four children, were plain housewives with monthly income of not more than P5,000, and owned their houses and lots. They had high level of parenting strategies, with widows performing their parental roles better than single-mothers. The personal variables of the respondents except for monthly income and ownership of land/lot were significantly related to the level ofparenting strategies. The following recommendations are advanced offering of nonformal classes and/or distance learning programs for widows and single mothers; offering of livelihood and technology-based projects by the UNP,through its extension program and the ILARRDEC; extension of welfare services by government and concerned private agencies; organization of small private sessions on responsible parenthood and family life as venuesfor self-expression and learning; support services for children of widows and single-mothers in educational institutions; more studies about widows, single-mothers and solo-parents including the masculine gender; and, studies on the effect of parenting strategies on children.