Divorces, separations, widowhoods… Today in France, one in five families is a single-parent family. A situation that can be painful for parents as well as for children who sometimes face financial difficulties or with regard to others.

In France, 20% of families are single-parent families. Most often, it is a woman who is at the head of this somewhat different tribe. A family becomes a single parent after separation, divorce or the death of one of the two parents.

In the past, single parent families were singled out. Today the situation is very different. However, these families encounter various difficulties. It is not uncommon for women raising their children alone to be unable to work full time.

Aids and devices exist to support them. They can claim the family support allowance, the family supplement, an increase in the RSA and benefits at the level of the canteen, nursery or housing.

One of the major difficulties for single-parent families is the gaze of others. Too often, these families are associated with poverty, precariousness, failure… Looking at them is a look of pity which is not always justified. Of course the separation can be followed by a period of discomfort which can go as far as the trough. However, this situation can also be a liberation, a new life greeted with happiness and enthusiasm.

It should also be noted that the look on a mom and dad is very different. The dad alone is often seen as a courageous and touching man. In the end, he is more supported by his entourage and by people in contact with his children (schools, nurseries, nurseries, leisure centers, etc.).

In single-parent families, children have a special place. They are raised by only one of their parents, most often their mother. Sometimes custody is shared between the father and the mother. The children therefore have two single-parent families. Whether they are young children or adolescents, it is essential to surround them well and to support them in these changes. For them, the situation can be very delicate. Children also experience separation from a family member. Sometimes this separation leads to a move, a change of school, etc.

When you live in a single-parent family, you have to talk about it. At school, it is better to warn teachers of the situation. So the evaluations are sent to both mum and dad. In the smallest classes, the gifts that children prepare for Christmas or Easter are made in duplicate, etc. In the event of the death of one of the parents, the schools adapt. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are replaced by Parent’s Day!

Children from single-parent families may be vulnerable at the time of change, but the situation is very temporary. Very quickly, they find new landmarks and enjoy life like any child. Events can even bring them more maturity.

Parents who are raising their children on their own may find it difficult to find a job. A single parent is often seen as an unreliable person because of the overload of work at home. It is not uncommon for employers to ignore applications from single people with dependent children. They imagine that there will be delays, absences or harmful imperatives for the company.

When the parent who heads a single-parent family is working, they may also have difficulty advancing in their career. The employer thinks that the children will prevent his employee from investing in his work, from traveling or even from working more. Once again, this is the wrong picture. Like all families, single-parent families rely on nannies, nurseries, daycare centers and often their own families to look after the children.

Note also that people who manage their homes alone are organized and know how to deal with unforeseen circumstances. These are great qualities in the professional world.

Single-parent families are families like any other. In these tribes, there are certainly difficulties, but also a lot of moments of complicity. It is not uncommon for events to strengthen sibling ties and improve parent / child relationship. Children from these families are often more mature and more independent. They need to gain independence more quickly, which is beneficial on a daily basis, at home and at school.

Single-parent families are numerous. They are accepted but still encounter some difficulties. However, even if the situation is delicate, everyday life improves over time and a real family life is built.