Peer-reviewed article
Strategies Employed by Single Fathers in Preventing Violence against Children. A Case of Nzuguni Ward in Dodoma City
Fausta Senga, Emanuel Amon Kikwale, Edmund Zakayo ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined strategies used by single fathers in Dodoma City, Tanzania to prevent violence against children. Researchers surveyed 65 respondents including single fathers and key community informants using questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews. Single fathers most commonly used strategies such as living with relatives, sending children to boarding schools, limiting children's interactions with others, and open communication with their children. While these strategies appeared effective in preventing violence within the home, the study found they did not adequately protect children from violence outside the home.
Key points
- Single fathers primarily employ living with relatives and sending children to boarding schools as violence prevention strategies
- Open and friendly communication with children is used but appears to be underutilised as a prevention strategy
- Strategies were reported to succeed in preventing violence within households but not outside the home
- Other strategies include limiting interactions with others, staying alone with children, and using caregivers and neighbours
- Study calls for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to prevent and respond to violence against children
Limitations
The study used non-probability sampling with a small sample of 65 respondents from a single ward, limiting generalisability to other contexts. The research relies on self-reported strategies and perceptions of effectiveness rather than objective measures of violence prevention outcomes.
Abstract
Violence against children has recently become detrimental. The study was conducted in Dodoma city at Nzuguni ward to examine strategies employed by single fathers in preventing violence against children, whereby a cross-sectional design was employed. A non-probability sampling procedure through the snowball technique was used to select single fathers, and a purposive sampling technique was used to obtain key informants, including a ward police officer, community development officer, social welfare officer, and ward executive officer. Data were collected using surveys, focus group discussions and interview methods, using questionnaires and checklists as tools. The study collected data from 65 respondents. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data, where frequencies and percentages were computed, and qualitative data were analysed through content analysis. The findings indicate that the majority of single fathers employ living with relatives and sending children to boarding schools as strategies to prevent violence against children. Other strategies include limiting interactions with others, talking openly and friendly with children, staying alone with children, and using caregivers and neighbours. The study concludes that strategies used have succeeded in preventing their children from violence in their households but have not ensured preventive measures outside their home place. Therefore, the study recommends collaborative efforts of different stakeholders in preventing and responding to violence against children. Furthermore, awareness of parents and guardians talking openly with children should continue being raised as it seems less employed.