MULTIPLE-BURDENS AND COPING PATTERNS OF MALAY LONE MOTHERS

Abstract

This research attempts to explicate the multiple burdens facing the Malay lone mothers. Their coping strategies adopted in confronting these burdens are also examined. The plight of lone mothers have been well described in Western literature, but how they relate to the Malays remained minimal. In addition, the difficulties that lone mothers face are usually examined in general terms. How these difficulties manifest themselves in the daily living of the lone mothers remained unexplored. Thus, it is also the purpose of this study to scrutinize the intricate details of these burdens and coping strategies, not only in terms ofthis daily manifestations, but also the effects of their transactions with one another. Findings have shown that the burdens Malay lone mothers face are inter-connected to one another. Also, the cause of the multitude of problems can be traced to the deplorable financial state of these women. In addition, because of their limited resources, the coping strategies adopted are further causes of stress elsewhere, which in turn, require a different repertoire of coping mechanisms. The inextricable connections are also resulted from the burdens which in themselves are embroiled with one another. Thus, ifthe coping mechanism is dysfunctional, it does not help in getting the lone mothers out of the quagmire. The 'woman-in-the-environment' perspective taken in this research also allows the issue to be related to the immediate and broader environments surrounding the lone mothers. As such, findings have also indicated aspects in these two domains as sources of both stress and support. This analysis that goes beyond the individual is crucial as the immediate and broader environments are the very context of any social phenomenon.