Meneroka Tekanan dan Sokongan Sosial dalam Kalangan Bapa Tunggal

(Exploring Stress and Social Support among Single Fathers)

Abstract

Bapa tunggal merupakan satu golongan yang kurang dititikberatkan oleh masyarakat termasuk agensi-agensi dan NGO yang memfokuskan kepada kebajikan masyarakat berbanding dengan ibu tunggal. Hal ini kerana kebanyakan masyarakat merasakan bahawa golongan ini memiliki kekuatan fizikal dan mental yang tinggi memandangkan bapa tunggal adalah kaum lelaki. Namun, tidak dinafikan bahawa golongan bapa tunggal ini juga mengalami tekanan yang agak serius kerana sudah kehilangan satu semangat atau sokongan iaitu pasangan hidupnya. Kajian terdahulu lebih mefokuskan kepada ibu tunggal yang mendapat sokongan sosial daripada pelbagai agensi. Manakala, amat kurang kajian berkaitan permasalahan sokongan sosial terhadap bapa tunggal. Objektif utama kajian ini ialah meneroka tekanan dan sokongan sosial dalam kalangan bapa tunggal. Kajian ini dijalankan dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif berpandukan kajian kes. Teknik pengumpulan data kajian adalah melalui temubual berstruktur secara bertulis. Tujuh orang informan telah dipilih bagi kajian ini dengan menggunakan teknik persampelan bertujuan (purposive sampling). Lokasi kajian yang dipilih ialah daerah Kuala Selangor, Selangor. Data temubual berstruktur dianalisis secara tematik dan hasil kajian mendapati terdapat tiga faktor utama yang mempengaruhi tekanan terhadap bapa tunggal iaitu emosi, pengurusan rumah tangga dan pekerjaan yang ditemukan menerusi transkrip informan kajian. Manakala sokongan sosial yang diperlukan oleh golongan bapa tunggal ialah kewangan, sokongan moral dan tempat bersembang. Implikasi kajian ini diharapkan dapat mencadangkan program intervensi dan advokasi yang sesuai kepada pekerja sosial dalam mengendalikan kes bapa tunggal dalam komuniti dan institusi.

ABSTRACT

Single father is a group that is less concerned by society including agencies and NGOs that focusing on community welfare rather than single mothers. This is because most people think that this group has a high physical and mental strength as the single father is a male. However, it is undeniable that these single fathers are also experiencing serious pressure because they have lost their support or spirit of life. Previous study are more focused on single mothers that earn social support from various agencies. Meanwhile, there is a lack of research on the social support of single fathers. The main objective of this study is to explore the pressure and social support among the single fathers. This study was conducted using a qualitative approach based on case study. The technique of collecting data through a structured interview in writing. Seven informants were selected for this study using purposive sampling technique. The location of the study chosen is in the district of Kuala Selangor, Selangor. Structured interview data was analyzed in a thematic manner and the results of the study found that there were three main factors affected stress on single fathers namely emotion, household management and work were found through informants’ transcript of study. Meanwhile, social support required by single fathers are finance, moral support and a place to have a chit-chat. The implication of this study is expected to suggest an appropriate intervention and advocacy programs to social workers in handling single fathers’ cases in communities and institutions.
Keywords: stress, emotion, household management, work, social support, finance, place to have a chit-chat, moral support, single father