Munzara, Memory2017-08-302017-08-302014http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/780The aim of the study was to explore the quality of life of single mothers in Marondera town. The study intended to achieve the following objectives: (i) determine the extent to which single mothers were satisfied with their lives (ii) investigate the challenges that single mothers’ experience (iii) examine the coping mechanisms adopted by single mothers in the face of challenges (iv) investigate any form of support that single mothers’ access from any quarter/stakeholder. Using the quantitative method, one hundred and ninety-nine questionnaires were administered to single mothers in Marondera town and 186 were returned fully answered. The major findings of this study outlined that financial challenge is one of the greatest problems that single mothers face, which in turn affects other areas of their lives and that of their children. As a result of lack of adequate finances single mothers in Marondera have indicated that they struggle to meet their daily basic needs, hence they are affected by poverty as well as lack of social support. These all affected their well-being and quality of life was lowered due to stresses related issues of being a sole breadwinner for the family and they were generally not satisfied with their lives. It can be concluded that single motherhood affects the quality of life of these families in Zimbabwe which has been heightened by the economic crisis that has hit the country for the past two decades. Single mothers face the brunt effects of the economic meltdown that affected the nation as a whole, hence their quality of life is lower than that of a normal family where both spouses are present, in taking care of the family and sharing the burden.enSingle mothers -- ZimbabweSingle mothers -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditionsThesis