Paper
Lone parents constitute one of the poorest groups of people in Britain today.The aim of this presentation is to attempt to explain why I think this is, and what should be done about it and by whom.I will attempt to do this by initially looking at and trying to define poverty looking at some research already performed on the subject, and the dramatic changes and trends which have lead to lone parents.The most noticeable demographic studies and social trends in the last 20 to 30 years are the rise in one parent s families. The number of lone parents grew from just over a half a million at the beginning of the 1970s to nearly 1 million by the beginning of the 1980s. It was estimated to over 1.7 million in 1995 1. The situation seemed to have been created by societies acceptance to the high level of changes and trends in the breakdown of marriages, the separation of sex, and the changes in parents hood. Single motherhood seen as a statically rising proportion of the total. However, there is a difference in the way static portrayed single mothers, and these can be misleading. There are single mothers whom have been become single as a consequences of relationship breakdown and single mothers who has never had a partner. Women who have separated usually appear in the statistic as single. About 35% of all lone mothers are defined as single, but only about 18% of that have never lived with a partner.2 The statistics also shows that women who are poor and from a deprived backgrounds who are black or live in areas of high unemployment are more likely to become lone parents. Lone parenthood is not always a planned occurrence but once pregnant most lone mothers do not see this as a major problem. One parent s families seem to be becoming the accepted thing of the nineties another stage in the family cycle rather than an unaccepted change to family norm. Throughout the western, industrialize countries we can see a more diverse pattern of the family structure is developing. The tie with family support and obligation are becoming much more complex. However, throughout all the changes that have accrued in family patterns the most visible and the most difficult, seem to be in the breakdown of families. With the most complex been the problems of lone parents and poverty that are now seen as a social problem.Lone parents constitute one of the poorest groups in Britain today, this is due to such factors as high rate unemployment amongst lone parenthood, the majority tends to rely on income support. Which is believe by some to generate an increased level of public expenditure with the most visible been Social Security which has risen over the past decade and in 1995/6 stood at almost 10 billion 3. Poverty in lone parents is probably one of the biggest problems the government has yet to face, and it is on the increase. There are many different ways to define poverty. The two most commonly used by sociologists are absolute and relative poverty. These are two very opposing views; the idea of absolute is usually judged by the resources we require maintaining our health and basic everyday needs. We need enough resources to keep us in good health to be able provide for food, clothing and shelter for our family and ourselves. Absolute poverty is often measure to material deprivation. Prue Leith argues, Poverty is not about material things, but about having enough resources to survive, eating, should not be a treat, but a part of everyday living . 4 I would argue that poverty is not only due to a lack of material possession but it is also to where members of society are excluded from the lifestyle of the community in which they live. This can be supported by sociologist who states Poverty can be caused by cultural differences, including the cultural of poverty itself in a society that has a class barrier. Lone parents have a very high level risk of poverty in comparison to those families with two parents.Poverty tends to be the main cause of debt, and material hardship that the lone parent has to face it is also one of the reasons that lone parents are rejected by their society due to not been able to afford to have entertainment. Lone parents have to provide for their children just as married parents do, the need to protect their offspring from poverty is priority which often leads to them spending less on themselves. Some in society may argue that a lone parent makes choices, which consign them to poverty. however I would argue that society does not recognise that most lone parents did not choose to be single, but due to certain circumstances (breakdown of relationship) the choice was taken away from them. Been a lone parent s means brining the children up on your own. There is a problem of combining dual roles such as parent ,worker, and carer, and provider only one person to share in the problems that a family life brings e.g. (One income, one person to manage the home). If and when things go wrong you are on your own and have to cope. Changes in families and communities, which can leave the lone parents feeling, isolated. with a larger number of women in the work force there tend to be less help available from grandparents, and other family members to help and support the lone parents. Other factors which leads to poverty in the lone parents not having the help with child care upon returning to the work force. This can place a certain amount of stress on both the parents and the child. Good and affordable Childcare can help to lessen that stress.
In 1974 a report was published by ‘The Finer committee’, which argue that the main problem of lone parenthood was poverty and the main reason for that poverty was lone parents, mainly women who could not combine the dual role of parents and worker. However the access to state benefits was very low and this in turn kept them in poverty. Those who could work were stuck in very low paid jobs, and could not work long hours because they had children to care for and there was very little child care which was very expensive.Poverty rate has not change much since then and the risk of poverty for lone parents is higher now than it was then. when one looks at the picture that emerges upon examining the quality of life of the lone parents and their children, there is a very negative aspect of which the main one is poverty. However since 1980s there has been some important changes in policies, especially in employment. In 1988 Family credit replaced income support and was intended to offer additional financial support to low paid workers with children. In 1992 family credit was extended to those working 16 hours or more per week. A series of research have shown that this is a very important benefit to lone parents.The second major changes in policy is the introduction of the new deal for lone parents which is suppose to offer lone parents positive support to enable them to take up employment, a system which is intended to financially support one earner families in employment. active support and advice for those lone parents who wants to take up employment, more available access to child care and help in meeting the costs.Lone parents are the poorest social grouping due to a number of reasons:These include a deprived background brought about by family and social breakdowns. Living in areas of high unemployment does not help the situation nor do difficulties resulting from a lack of help with childcare when lone parents attempt to return to the workforce. Cultural differences also play their part through discrimination. Government policies are required, and society needs to play its part if these problems are to be addressed to stem the increase of lone parents in Britain today.Some are concerned that the new policy maybe the next step in enforcing the lone parents to seek work whether the job is low paid or unsuitable. Under the new deal you could go on a full-time training course which includes a period of work experience and leads to an approved qualification. However once those qualifications are gained will they be forced to take any job that is offered or will the choice of work be open to them. My opinion is that policy makers need to really think all issues and implications of this policy through thoroughly. What we have in this new policy is a benefits system that aims to financially support one earner families in employment.Active support for those who want to work and increased financial help for childcare. The New Deal will helps more parents – particularly women – back to work, the need for childcare is growing all the time. To meet the demand, the government is helping to pay for a huge increase in the number of places available through the National ChildcareStrategy and there are new childcare places for up to one million children. However once this childcare is offered how long will it last will there be an administrator to over see the workings of this policy or will it ends up the same way as the CSA. ( an excuse to penalise those who parents who would like to stay at home with their kids) New Deal will help make sure there are enough trained people with the right skills to fill the new childcare vacancies this creates.I feel that the policies should respond to the growing need to the changes of family pattern by focusing more on lone parents as a separate group. Lone Parents entering work may get the help they need to meet the cost of childcare but how will they be protected from the fear of been target by those in the political structure. Policy needs to be moved forward to eliminate lone parent policy and support families more.
334
Другие работы по теме:
Liquid Courage Essay Research Paper First Taste
Liquid Courage Essay, Research Paper First Taste of Liquid Courage My first experiences with alcohol were encountered relatively early. When I say early, I do not mean that I was getting drunk when I was only eight or ten years old. What I mean by this is that whenever my parents were having a drink, they would occasionally let me have a sip of it.
Shabanu Essay Research Paper In some cultures
Shabanu Essay, Research Paper In some cultures, parents treat their children like slaves. They are forbidden by their parents to control their own lives. In Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind, Shabanu is a girl who struggles to please her parents, who often take advantage of their power over Shabanu to control her life.
Advice Essay Research Paper A piece of
Advice Essay, Research Paper A piece of advice that I often receive is “as long as you do your best.” This refers to success in everything from school to careers. I believe that this is good advice because
Physical Punishment Essay Research Paper Physical punishment
Physical Punishment Essay, Research Paper Physical punishment has been a problem in hitting their children so they can have discipline or not hitting them because it is not right, so what can parents do and what can they not do? Should the parents hit them to learn discipline, or should they not hit them and figure out another way to make them learn what discipline is?
Folks Essay Research Paper The level of
Folks Essay, Research Paper The level of educational attainment and achievement for my generation to that of my parents differs greatly. Over the past decades, large numbers of social movements have altered society’s limitations on an individual’s education. Not knowing my parents, I cannot confirm their educational backgrounds.
The Good Earth Essay Research Paper Good
The Good Earth Essay, Research Paper Good evening, we the graduating class of blessed sacrament school would like to welcome you to our 8th grade graduation. On behalf of the graduating class I especially would like to welcome Fr. McCarthy and Fr. Hand, Dr. Rouke, Teachers, Parents, relatives, and friends to our graduating ceremony.
Matilda Essay Research Paper The main character
Matilda Essay, Research Paper The main character is Matilda, a fun, nice, loving girl. Then there is Mr. And Mrs. Wormwood, the mean parents of Matilda. Then my personal favorite Miss Honey, a nice, beautiful teacher of Matilda. There is one more character the Trunchbull, a cold hearted, head mistress of Crunchem Hall.
Analysis Of College Pressures Essay Research
Paper Analysis of College Pressures In the essay College Pressures , William Zinsser shows parents the burdens that college students have while they are in school. In the essay he states the four pressures that the students face: economic, parental, peer, and self-induced.
OedipusS Misfortunes Essay Research Paper Oedipuss MisfortunesWho
Oedipus?S Misfortunes Essay, Research Paper Oedipus?s Misfortunes Who is responsible for the misfortunes of Oedipus? Is it because of the careless way his parents, Laius and Jocasta handle problems, the disobedience of the Shepard, fate, the gods or Oedipus himself? Even though many people contribute to Oedipus downfall he is ultimately responsible.
Parenting Styles Essay Research Paper There are
Parenting Styles Essay, Research Paper There are 4 parenting styles based on parental responsiveness and demandiveness. These styles are Authoritative, Authoritarian, Indulgent parents, and Indifferent.
Crefew Essay Research Paper Graduation Night CurfewFive
Crefew Essay, Research Paper Graduation Night Curfew Five years ago I graduated from high school. I felt like I was finally free of the rules that parents enforced while I was in school. Example of my parents rules are no playing till after homework is done and curfew on school nights. After all, I just finished twelve years of school and deserved some reward.
What To Expect Essay Research Paper How
What To Expect Essay, Research Paper How much should parents expect from their children? Or more importantly, what should they expect? All parents have their own opinion on the subject whether it’s correct or not. Throughout the world parents are trying to raise their children the best they can, mostly to be like them or possibly better.
Lone Man Essay Research Paper Thank you
Lone Man Essay, Research Paper Thank you for your interest in NetZero. As part of our commitment to maintain high quality, free Internet access for all of our users, we are currently limiting the number of new downloads of our software on a daily basis.
Divorce Essay Research Paper Divorce not only
Divorce Essay, Research Paper Divorce not only affects parents, but it also affects their children by making them look at things in a different and a negative way. A child needs the love and support of both parents so that he can grow in a good environment, and can grow well. Right now in the world divorces are really common.
Your Parents Raise You To Live Their
Lives Essay, Research Paper Your Parents Raise You To Live Their Lives Well, I don’t think that, that is true but there are always exceptions. For the most part I just think that one’s parents raise them according to the mistakes which they have made through out the course of their life. The only answer for my reasoning is that through out my life I have made graver mistakes more often than most.
Divide Your Life Into 3-5 Major Periods
Essay, Research Paper Divide your life into 3-5 major periods. As I look back upon my past, it gets scary because I can actually divide my life into parts. If I look at it on the bright side, I am a more mature person. On the other hand, if I look at it negatively, I am getting closer to my ‘grave’. But the truth is that I am better off looking at my life at the brighter side.
Parental Responsibility Essay Research Paper Parental ResponsibilityBecoming
Parental Responsibility Essay, Research Paper Parental Responsibility Becoming a parent requires a lot of responsibility. The life a person invisions their child to have is determined by the support they provide. A child s youth is the most important stage in contributing to his/her future. In most cases, parents are the ones who are responsible for their child s behavior.
Do Parents Expect Too Much From Their
Kids Essay, Research Paper Do parents expect too much from their children? or Do parents expect too little from their children? Well there are many ways to look at this. In this persuasive
Types Of Parents Essay Research Paper Protective
Types Of Parents Essay, Research Paper Protective parents are the easiest category of parents to spot. Most parents in this category illustrate an extreme sense of strictness through the use of several rules and harsh punishments. For instance, Mr. and Mrs. Gallop ground Jennifer from riding in a car because she was ten minutes late without notifying her parents first.
A Parents Appearance Essay Research Paper The
A Parents Appearance Essay, Research Paper The relationship between a child and his parents will never change no matter if they do go through a divorce. Parents should always love their kids all the time, even if they don t live with them. Don t get me wrong there are many advantages with living with both the living with one, I know.
Cell Reproduction Essay Research Paper Bio bugs
Cell Reproduction Essay, Research Paper Bio bugs The bio bugs were a great example of cell reproduction and heredity. In this essay I will discuss all the concepts of cell reproduction and heredity as they apply to the bio bugs.
Parents
’ Role Essay, Research Paper ?Roles of Parents? All parents love their children. They sometimes even sacrifice their lives for their children. But is only love enough for a child to grow up with? Why do parents need a child? This is the first question parents should ask themselves before anything else. Lots of parents think they have enough reasons for having a child but do parents need children to satisfy themselves, to dedicate their love to him/her, or to train a good, useful person for the society they?re living in.
Poem Color Of My Love Essay Research
Paper Color of My Love ~Thomson Vaidyan A red, red rose for you, my love My lone angel, my sweetest sweet Lil’ pretty princess in that hot red With those matching sweet, crimson lips
The Little Girl Essay Research Paper Her
The Little Girl Essay, Research Paper Her parents never took young girls to church, Never spoke of his name, Never read her his words, Two non-beleivers walking lost in this world,
Parents 4 Essay Research Paper ParentsTeenagers are
Parents 4 Essay, Research Paper Parents Teenagers are under more stress than any other age of people in the world, especially those who are seniors. There are so many things to do, to think of, making major life decisions, and keeping up with the trust and responsibilities expected from our parents. I’m not sure if it is the time that have changed or if my parents do not remember what it is like to be a teenager.
Separation Of Parents And Their Childern Essay
, Research Paper SEPERATION ?I want to do it myself,? is what many kids utter or yell when they reach a certain point in their lives. When you were young, you depended on your parents for almost everything. They provided shelter, food, clothing and everything else you needed.
Parent Essay Research Paper What does the
Parent Essay, Research Paper What does the word parent mean to you? The definition of this word is, one who begets, gives birth to, or nurtures and raises a child; a father or a mother. Yet, one interprets this word difrently depending on what life has had to offer us.
What Does The Word Parent Mean To
You? Essay, Research Paper What does the word parent mean to you? The definition of this word is, one who begets, gives birth to, or nurtures and raises a child; a father or a mother.
The Graduate Essay Research Paper In the
The Graduate Essay, Research Paper In the movie The Graduate, the main character Ben returns home from college and encounters a psychological crisis in the sense that he doesn t know who he is or what he wants. This is due in large part to his smothering parents. Though it may seem like he is a free man and entitled to do as he wished, it is much the contrary.
Language Acqusition Essay Research Paper Children begin
Language Acqusition Essay, Research Paper Children begin by imitating what they hear their parents say as best as they can, repeating random phrases. Parents do not punish the child for childish speech errors by not responding or correcting the error, but reward correct phrases by responding positively.