Single parent families

The increase in numbers of single parent families 
Forty years ago it was the exception rather than the norm for a child to be brought up in a household with one, as opposed to two parents – married to each other rather than co-habiting. Almost a quarter of all children in England and Wales live with just one parent and the majority, nine out of ten, are in households headed by a lone mother, divorced or otherwise.

Children in the UK are three times more likely to live in a one parent household than in the early 1970’s. Since that time the proportion of people living in a traditional household consisting of a married couple with dependent children has fallen from over 50% to less than 40%.

What do these figures actually mean?
Unfortunately, children living in one parent households are more likely to achieve less at school, more likely to commit crime and more likely to be living in poverty or in rented accommodation. One in seven children now lives in a household where no parent is employed. In 2005 the number of people in the UK cracked the 60 million barrier for the first time. The number of households had risen by 30% since 1971 although population had risen by only 8%.

Contrary to popular perception most single parents are not irresponsible teenagers who have deliberately become pregnant – although these account for some 3% of lone parents, (approximately 60,000) - but they are ordinary men and women who have had single parenthood forced upon them through relationship breakdown or possibly the death of a husband, wife or other partner. They are typically in their 30’s and 40’s and are mostly just trying to do their best under what are often very difficult circumstances.

What is clear is that there is no point in society wringing its hands, complaining about the breakdown of the family and blaming it on those who find themselves in the unenviable position of trying to raise children with just one resident parent. There are many and complex problems that contribute to societal collapse.

Being a single parent
Looking after children as a lone parent on top of relationship breakdown ior getting divorced is incredibly difficult. Not only do you have to come to terms with the breakdown of your relationship with your spouse but your financial situation may well have changed dramatically. Many parents will do their level best whatever the problems between them to ensure that contact with their children for the one who has moved out will continue on a regular basis with as little acrimony and as much co-operation as possible. Unfortunately this is not always the case.

However, there is a growing amount of support available for mothers and fathers who find themselves in this invidious position. One of the best known organisations for single parents, Gingerbread, has recently merged with One Parent Families. They have masses of advice for lone mums and dads on their website.