The Reality Behind Lines and Colours: Case Studies of Children’s Drawings from Single Mother Families

Children are supposed to grow up in a family setting where both the mother and father play their respective roles in the child’s growth and personality development. In recent years, there has been an increase in the phenomenon of single mother families who attempt to ensure their family’s sociocultural and economic survival as the head of the household. Therefore, this research intends to comparatively investigate the personality and self-development of children in single mother families and dual parent families. The main objective of this study is to recognize the differences in personality traits through children’s drawings of children in dual and single mother families. This study is based on 02 single mother families and 02 dual parent families. Further, 04 class teachers of the children in respective families were selected as the sample of the study from Ratmalana DS division, Colombo district, Sri Lanka. As the major technique of this study the Kinetic Family Drawing Technique was applied the tool to measure the personality of children who lies between 05 years old to 10 years old of the sample. Additionally, the qualitative methods and techniques have been applied to collect data including interviews, case studies, focus group discussions and observation methods. Through the lines and colors used in the drawings of the children from dual parent families depicts healthy personality traits. They were able to drawing well organized manner with very detailed body parts, clothing, and accessories. But, children’s drawings from single mother families were with a smaller number of colored with unorganized space usage. In view of the results of the study, it can be concluded that through the drawings of the children from disorganized families do suffer from emotional matters which leads to their personality development. Accordingly, few recommendations can be made as follow: Schools must establish guidance and counselling platforms to assist children from single- parent households in coping with academic work and completing on an equal footing with children from intact families. Furthermore, parents should be counselled so that they can confidently assume their responsibilities to raising children.