Myndigheten och den ensamstående föräldern. En studie av ensamstående föräldrar med barn och deras behov
In this study we describe the needs of lone parents and how the authorities fulfill these needs. The needs contain both economic and social aspects, such as the access to an employment, childcare and the possibility to social activities. For the lone parents being able to work the childcare provision must improve and be available in a greater extent during non-traditional working hours. It is also required that the housing benefit ceiling is increased so that the parents may work more hours without risking the loss of the housing benefit. The statistic about the housing benefit which we present shows that many of those with a low income are lone parents. Because of the economic situation the lone parents cannot consume at the same conditions as for instance the nuclear family and in today?s society consumption and social status or identity are connected. The daily life of the parents is built up around their children and their work, or lack thereof, which means that they do not have the time or the resources to socialize with other adults. In the long run this leads to isolation. We believe that the economic and social situation makes the lone-parent families more vulnerable and they run a higher risk of becoming marginalized.