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.
|