single-parent families, family, family law, social security law, social security, children's rights, human rights, discrimination, poverty, employment, social policy, social work, discretion, social norms, gender

Summary:

The research project is based on the finding that single-parent families represent a diverse and frequent phenomenon on the map of family realities, all sharing the fact that they are families where children are predominantly or fully cared for by one parent. International research shows that single-parent families are at higher risk for social exclusion, experience higher levels of poverty, have more limited access to various resources and have less social support compared to two-parent households. A review of the scientific literature shows several dimensions of social exclusion faced by single-parent households, including poverty, limited employment opportunities, housing insecurity, limited social support, educational challenges and health disparities.

These findings highlight the need for targeted approaches to address the unique needs and problems of single-parent households, including policy measures that address and mitigate economic inequalities, enable access to affordable housing and childcare, strengthen social support networks, and reduce stigma and discrimination. Researching and addressing the social exclusion faced by single-parent families is important to create a fairer and more inclusive environment for all families, and to ensure a more equal position and opportunities for children whose families experience discrimination and deprivation. Addressing these issues, challenges and problems requires an integrated approach that includes improved and tailored allocation of financial assistance, affordable and accessible childcare, social support networks, reducing stigma and discrimination, individualisation of support and simplified administrative procedures.

It can be concluded that single-parent families need special attention from the point of view of social policies due to their vulnerability. The issue of single-parent families is a question of gender relations, relationships between parent-employee roles, and relations between the individual/family and the state (in terms of social policies). By recognising the unique challenges faced by single-parent families – parents and the children who make them up – and implementing targeted policies and support programmes, we can try to mitigate some of the burdens and risks, and contribute to a better situation and inclusion of single-parent families. In the research project "One-parent families in Slovenia: risks and opportunities in the field of tension between social policy, social norms and professional practises", researchers set themselves the following goals: to provide an overview of relevant professional and scientific literature and good practices at home and abroad; prepare an overview of the situation of single-parent families in relation to treatment; identify potential inconsistencies and shortcomings that arise at the intersection of social policies, legislation and the everyday life of single-parent families; to evaluate measures and practices from the perspective of children's rights and needs and to reveal the complexity of disadvantage and exclusion; identify the risks of poverty and violence; to present contemporary ideological, political, media and social narratives and discourses related to parenthood and gender; explore the level of necessity of discretion in providing support and assistance; and propose legislative and other measures that adequately respond to the modern needs of children (including young adults who are not economically and otherwise independent) and different types of families, and contribute to the implementation of their rights

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