Growing independence of children from the perspective of parents in single-parent families

Magistrsko delo skuša prikazati, kako starši doživljajo in se soočajo z osamosvajanjem in odhodom otrok iz družine. V teoretičnem delu je opredeljen pojem družine v časovnem kontekstu sodobnega sveta in vpliv širših družbenih sprememb, ki so prispevale k preobrazbi oblik, značilnosti in dinamike ter življenjskega kroga družin, več pozornosti pa je namenjeno enostarševski družini. Orisani sta razvojni obdobji mladih na prehodu v odraslost in srednja odraslost, ki običajno sovpadata s procesom osamosvajanja in odhoda otrok od doma. Pri tem je največ pozornosti namenjeno fazi osamosvajanja otrok in njihovega zapuščanja družinskega sistema v kontekstu družinskega življenjskega cikla. V empiričnem delu je podrobno predstavljena in po korakih opisana kvalitativna raziskava, znotraj katere je bilo izvedenih šest delno strukturiranih pogovorov s starši enostarševskih družin z izkušnjo osamosvajanja in odhoda otrok iz družinskega sistema. gotovitve kažejo, da starši enostarševskih družin, vključenih v raziskavo, sprejemajo in normalizirajo osamosvajanje in odhod otrok, se pa med njimi na začetku pojavljajo nekatere razlike. Večina jih poroča o začetnem neugodju, osamljenosti in pogrešanju, medtem ko manjšina spregovori o veselju ob odhodu otrok. Vsi straši z odhodom otrok, ne glede na to ali še imajo kakšnega otroka doma ali je družinsko gnezdo prazno, poročajo o nastanku praznine, ki jo skušajo na različne načine zapolniti. Pri tem izpostavijo stare ali nove hobije, čas zase, povezovanje s prijatelji ter pomen službenih obveznosti. olovica staršev, katerih družinsko gnezdo še polnijo mlajši otroci, omeni večjo orientacijo na njih. Starši ob osamosvajanju otrok zanje posebej izpostavijo pomene rednega stika in vzdrževanja dobrih medsebojnih odnosov, brez omejevanja drug drugega. Ugotovitve kažejo, da straši brez večje krize sprejemajo in pozdravljajo osamosvajanje otrok na prehodu v odraslost in pri tem poročajo tudi o doživljanju razbremenitve ter zadovoljstvu s svojo starševsko vlogo.The master\u27s thesis aims to show how parents experience and cope with the independence and departure of their children from the family. The theoretical part defines the concept of family in the temporal context of the modern world and the impact of broader social changes that have contributed to the transformation of the forms, characteristics and dynamics and life cycle of families, with more attention paid to the single parent family. The developmental periods of young people at the transition of adulthood and middle adulthood are outlined, which usually coincide with the process of independence and children leaving home. We particularly focused on the phase of children becoming independent and leaving the family system in the context of the family life cycle. The empirical part of the study presents a detailed step-by-step qualitative research, within which six semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of single-parent families whose children had gained independence and left the family system. The findings show that parents of single-parent families in the study accept and normalise their children’s independence and departure, but that there are some differences between them at the beginning. Most report initial discomfort, loneliness and missing each other, while a minority speak of the joy of their children leaving the family. All those who are afraid of children leaving, whether they still have a child at home or the family nest is empty, report the creation of a void which they try to fill in various ways. They highlight old or new hobbies, time for themselves, connecting with friends and the importance of work commitments. Half of the parents whose family nest is still filled with younger children mention a greater orientation towards them. Parents, when their children become independent, stress the importance of regular contact and maintaining good relations, without restricting each other. The findings show that, without any major crisis, parents accept and welcome their children’s independence at the transition to adulthood, and also report experiencing a sense of relief and satisfaction with their parental role