Date of Award

7-1987

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education

First Advisor

Gene Henderson

Second Advisor

Jeanne Donovan

Abstract

This impact of parental divorce on childrens' adjustment has become the concern of many educators. Family life and childhood socialization has been continually redefined due to this marital disruption phenomenon. Since the structure of the contemporary American· family, composed of mother, father, and children has changed, educators need to be aware of the special needs and adjustments necessary for the children.

The purpose of this study was to determine by a survey if children from single parent homes were perceived in a more negative way, by their teachers, than children from intact homes. If children from single parent homes were perceived in a more negative way than children from intact homes, then their self-concept would be diminished by these negative messages. A survey devised by Mary Lou Fuller (1984) was revised and used with her permission. This survey consisted of 24 questions regarding 12 positive and 12 negative behaviors as most apt t o be behaviors of children from intact families, single parent families or if no difference was seen between the two groups of children.

The groups of teachers used in this survey were: Teachers from public and private schools. Teachers with 10 years or less experience and 11 years or more experience. Teachers who had no single parent experience and teachers who had single parent experience. The results of the answers to the 12 positive behaviors and 12 negative behaviors were computed and percentages were tabulated. Then the results of each individuals ' responses were tallied and the mean score was found, then at-test was computed.

The results of this study seemed to reveal that children from single parent homes are perceived in a more negative way than children from intact homes by some groups of teachers.

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