Alone Yet Connected: Digital-Age Solo Parenthood

Abstract

The life of solo parents can be taxing yet increasingly mediated by digital connectivity. Solo parenthood carries turning points for individuals raising preschool-aged children. This phenomenological-qualitative study investigated the first-hand experiences of solo parents in an increasingly digital society. In-depth, unstructured interviews were conducted with five solo parents of preschool-aged children, selected through purposive sampling in Negros Occidental, Philippines. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: (1) paths to solo parenthood, encompassing personal choice, migration, abandonment, or loss; (2) encounters in solo parenting, which emphasized difficulties in balancing work and parenting, along with emotional and physical exhaustion; (3) coping strategies and digital-age support systems, which accentuated the role of family support, emotional resilience, self-care, and the use of technology as survival and coping tool, where solo parents utilized digital platforms for remote work, virtual support networks, online learning, and parenting apps to adapt to their circumstances; and (4) reflections on solo parenthood, where participants found strength in parenting and embraced acceptance and moving forward. Technology surfaced as a means of handling isolation and encouraging connectedness.  The findings have implications for the program implementer of the Solo Parents Welfare Act and the Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives of the government in collaboration with other sectors.