Izzivi in stiske mater, ki same skrbijo za svoje otroke, iz perspektive socialnih delavk : magistrsko delo

Pregelj, Urška (author), Zaviršek, Darja (mentor)

V magistrskem delu pišem o stiskah in izzivih, s katerimi se spopadajo matere, ki same skrbijo za svoje otroke. Zanima me predvsem, kaj so najpogostejše težave, zaradi katerih se matere, ki same skrbijo za svoje otroke, obračajo na socialnovarstvene ustanove, ter katere pravice jim pripadajo in kako je z njihovim uveljavljanjem v praksi. Osredotočam se tudi na socialno politiko in njene pomanjkljivosti, pri čemer želim od socialnih delavk izvedeti, kje one vidijo pomanjkljivosti in kako bi jih lahko izboljšali. V prvem delu magistrskega dela se posvečam pregledu že obstoječih konceptov in literature. Sprva nekaj besed namenim pojmu družina, njenim definicijam in tipologijam. Omenim družinske spremembe in pluralizacijo družinskih oblik ter se nato osredotočim na pojem enostarševske družine. Pojem enostarševska družina je ključno vodilo mojega dela, zato se mu v teoretskem delu nekoliko bolj posvetim. Podrobneje opišem in predstavim družbeno stigmatizacijo enostarševskih družin, revščino in socialno izključenost enostarševskih družin ter njihovo socialno varnost. Svoje poglavje namenim tudi materam, ki same skrbijo za svoje otroke, v katerem predstavim njihovo problematiko in jo podkrepim z že obstoječimi študijami. Pri pisanju se opiram na že izvedene tuje in domače raziskave ter podatke, pridobljene iz Statističnega urada RS, MDDSZ-ja in Eurostata. Za konec teoretičnega dela izpostavim še patriarhat oziroma družbeni sistem, ki temelji na moški prevladi moči nad družbenimi, političnimi in gospodarskimi institucijami, ki se mi zdi zelo pomemben pri razumevanju problematike oziroma stisk mater, ki same skrbijo za svoje otroke. V drugem, empiričnem delu magistrskega dela se osredotočam na predstavitev rezultatov kvalitativne raziskave. V raziskavi, ki sem jo izvedla, je sodelovalo 11 socialnih delavk oziroma 10 socialnih delavk in ena socialna pedagoginja, zaposlena na delovnem mestu socialne delavke. Dobljeni podatki so pokazali, da se matere, ki same skrbijo za svoje otroke, srečujejo s številnimi stiskami. Med njimi so najpogostejše prav finančne težave, neustrezne ali neplačane preživnine, stanovanjska problematika, težave pri usklajevanju poklicnega in družinskega življenja ter težave s cenovno dostopnim varstvom za otroke. Poleg navedenega se matere pogosto spoprijemajo z družbeno stigmatizacijo in s socialno izključenostjo, kar velikokrat vpliva tako na psiho-socialno stanje mater kot tudi kakovost življenja družin.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: enostarševske družine, matere, ki same skrbijo za svoje otroke, družbena stigmatizacija, socialna ranljivost, neplačevanje preživnin, stanovanjska problematika, usklajevanje poklicnega in družinskega življenja
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.09 - Master's Thesis
• Organization: FSD - Faculty of Social Work
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: [U. Pregelj]
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 123 str.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-168388
• UDC: 364-055.2
• COBISS.SI-ID: 247093763
• Publication date in RUL: 11.04.2025

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Challenges and Struggles of Mothers Who Care for Their Children Alone, from the Perspective of Social Workers

Abstract

This master’s thesis examines the struggles and challenges faced by mothers who care for their children alone. My primary focus is to identify the most common issues that lead these mothers to seek assistance from social welfare institutions, as well as the rights they are entitled to and how these rights are realised in practice. I also address social policy and its shortcomings, seeking insights from social workers on where they perceive deficiencies and how these might be improved. In the first part of the thesis, I provide a review of existing concepts and literature. I begin by discussing the concept of the family, including its definitions and typologies. I touch on changes in family structures and the pluralisation of family forms, before concentrating on the concept of the single-parent family. The term ‘single-parent family’ is a central theme in my work, and as such, I dedicate a significant portion of the theoretical section to it. I describe in detail the social stigma surrounding single-parent families, the poverty and social exclusion they often face, and their social security. I also devote a chapter to mothers who care for their children alone, presenting their issues and supporting these with existing studies. My writing draws on both domestic and international research, as well as data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (SORS), the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (MDDSZ), and Eurostat. In conclusion, I highlight patriarchy – a societal system based on male dominance in social, political, and economic institutions – which I believe is crucial for understanding the struggles faced by mothers who care for their children alone. In the second, empirical part of the thesis, I present the results of a qualitative research study. The research involved 11 social workers, including 10 social workers and one social pedagogue employed as a social worker. The data obtained indicate that mothers who care for their children alone face numerous challenges. Among the most common are financial difficulties, inadequate or unpaid child maintenance, housing issues, difficulties in balancing professional and family life, and problems with affordable childcare. In addition, mothers frequently contend with social stigma and social exclusion, which often affect both their psychosocial well-being and the quality of life for their families.

• Keywords: single-parent families, mothers who care for their children alone, social stigma, social vulnerability, non-payment of maintenance, housing issues, balancing professional and family life