Single mothers often need social assistance – Swedish Radio

Single mothers often need social assistance – Swedish Radio

Almost a quarter of all single mothers in Sweden is dependent on income support in order to cope. More and more people also need contributions for longer periods. According to a new report from the children’s rights UNICEF.

According Chrisitina Heilborn, program director at Unicef ​​in Sweden, the mother of dependent multiple negative consequences for the children.

– There are serious consequences for these children, not just here and now but also in the long term. Those at risk of social exclusion, which can lead to abuse, crime, teen pregnancy and even increased risk of dying early, says Christina Heilborn.

On behalf of UNICEF has School of Social Work at Stockholm University have gone through research and studies of single mothers who are dependent on income support, and the impact that it has on their children.

Research compilation shows that single mothers are the group in society that is over-represented among those who is dependent on the maintenance support. As has been the trend the last 50 years, regardless of their political color of the incumbent government.

2013 had 22 percent of all single mothers income support, while only 8 percent of the fathers were. According to Christina Heilborn also mothers need of contributions for longer periods increased.

– We are surprised that the community has not done more actions and measures for the children living in these households, because they are in a social exclusion and risk getting stuck there, she says.

UNICEF now want the new government to develop a national action plan to capture the over 70 000 Swedish children with single mothers who are dependent on income support.

According to Christina Heilborn , there are several ways to break the social exclusion of this group – one of the most crucial factors is that children can manage the school.

– Some of the most important parts is that the agencies must cooperate, that children themselves need to be involved and give their views on how solutions should be designed and requires an equal education for all, regardless of socioeconomic background and municipality of residence.

Hanna Weiderud
hanna.weiderud@sverigesradio.se