Across communities, single mothers are voicing concern about a future that feels increasingly out of reach as their children grow. In a firm public statement this week, national associations representing single mothers criticized 2023 government budgets, arguing that concrete steps to end discrimination remain absent. They emphasize that families stay strong and resilient even as policy discussions continue. A joint manifesto from the groups notes that the preliminary budget and accompanying policy measures include more than 50 provisions that could touch their communities, and they express frustration with the slow pace of real change.
A recurring issue raised is the lack of decisive actions to protect those most at risk. Leaders contend that the absence of targeted protections has pushed many single-parent households into poverty, with data showing a higher poverty risk for these families compared with two-parent households. They describe these disparities as outcomes of family structure rather than individual circumstances and warn that without specific policy measures, boys and girls in single-parent homes will continue to bear the burden of unequal treatment.
They point to a regulatory framework for family law that should address injustices faced by non-traditional families. At present, the policy text appears to serve only a narrow scope, defining single-parent households as extended families with two dependent minors. This proposal has been a point of contention for years. The groups see stalled progress in the legislative process and the need to move beyond statements toward real, enforceable protections that make a tangible difference.
In their view, repeated assurances from the government that discrimination will be addressed have not materialized. If the measures anticipated in future family law pass, they warn that the framework could undermine established guidance and tilt protections toward the extended family model from the first child, potentially leaving a large share of single-parent households unprotected. The joint statement, backed by the leading associations, calls for safeguards rooted in equality and social responsibility to ensure broad protection for vulnerable families.
Spokespeople from the single-parent associations emphasize that current family law lacks other agreements that address the inequalities facing families that do not fit the traditional two-parent model. They urge reforms to personal income tax, parental leave, foster or adoption policies, and paid sick leave, arguing that such changes would expand time and resources available for the care of children in these households. Their advocacy has involved meetings, negotiations, and, when necessary, legal action to push for substantive changes.
Countless women have chosen to seek redress through the courts to address harms suffered by children in single-parent families. The effort to enable home-based care during pregnancy and early childhood remains an ongoing challenge, with households navigating the policy landscape and the legal system in pursuit of fair treatment. The associations stay steadfast in their stance: the government must acknowledge the realities of single-parent families and implement policies that protect all children, irrespective of family structure.
They stress that budget impact reports from the government reference single-parent families and vulnerability, yet survivors say these mentions do not translate into practical protections for real families facing risk factors and daily challenges. In a broader context, researchers highlight how gender inequality intersects with work, family, and political life, contributing to poverty and social exclusion. The focus remains on building a framework that recognizes family diversity and ensures consistent, equitable support for all families, rather than privileging one domestic model over another. This ongoing effort aims to create a system where care, income, and social recognition align to support every child’s development and well-being.
gender inequality
A study titled Mothers and the Invisible Reality of Single Parenthood in Spain examined how unemployment, poverty, and discriminatory responses create vulnerability for single-parent households. Coordinated by Violeta Cruz, the report highlights that a notable portion of such families face severe financial deprivation. The findings are viewed through the lens of how gender inequality affects work, family, and social policy. The study argues that poverty and the risk of exclusion stem not only from income levels but from gaps in public policy and unequal protection of family diversity. The researchers call for robust economic and social investments to close these gaps and ensure fair treatment for all families, regardless of structure. The overarching message is that policy choices shape lived reality and that deliberate, inclusive reforms are essential to reduce vulnerability among single mothers and their children.