Ten principles
1. In Slovakia, in every fourteenth household, children are raised by a single parent
Slovak statistics show that in as many as 150,000 households, children are raised by only one parent. That means up to 200,000 children are growing up in single-parent families. The number of single-parent families in Slovakia continues to rise. Over the past 40 years, their share in the country has doubled. Globally and across Europe, children in every fourth household are raised by a single parent, and at least one-third of all children come from families where only one parent is present in their upbringing.
JEDEN RODIČ n.o. seeks to achieve the legal recognition of the term: single parent(s) (and their families) raising one or more dependent children, as a social group of citizens who deserve increased attention from the state and public institutions due to their higher risk of poverty or social exclusion. Equally important is raising awareness about the available forms of assistance, support, and skills development for single parents, so that they can navigate this challenging period of life with greater dignity and safety, while simplifying their interaction with public administration.
2. Restoring communication between parents remains problematic
Children, as a result of the parents’ inability to reach an agreement, often become hostages caught between them. International surveys show that 80% of fathers do not see their children every week, and 30% of fathers have not seen their children at all in the past year. This stems from the inability to restore communication between parents.
JEDEN RODIČ n.o. aims to advocate that children’s rights take precedence over parents’ rights, and that parents be informed about the possibility of drafting a parental agreement when the family breaks apart, in order to safeguard parental rights and responsibilities as well as the healthy upbringing of minor children.
3. The number of children with disabilities is proportionally higher in single-parent families
When a child with a disability or chronic illness is born into a family, there is a higher probability that the family will not endure, but instead break apart or separate.
JEDEN RODIČ n.o. aims to simplify the process of granting care allowances for children with disabilities and to introduce a special allowance for families in need where only one parent is raising the children.
4. In Slovakia, every fifth working parent raising children alone is at risk of poverty
According to the latest EU SILC 2018 survey, as many as 37% of single-parent households fall into the category most at risk of poverty. These families face such a severe disadvantage in life that it is extremely difficult to overcome it through their own efforts. Unexpected expenses pose the greatest threat to single-parent families (52% in 2017). In 2017, up to 51% of single-parent households in Slovakia could not afford a one-week holiday away from home.
JEDEN RODIČ n.o. seeks to achieve legislative changes in favor of families, parents, and children in need who require state support and assistance. In cases where a single parent loses employment, trade license, or business, they should receive special protection and be considered a disadvantaged job seeker when looking for new income opportunities. (For example: improving the conditions for granting social benefits to single-parent families in need, increasing the childcare allowance for families in need up to the age of 18 or until completion of university studies, raising the tax bonus for single parents, and adding a supplement to child benefits when the child is raised by a single parent).
5. The most critical period is the first year after the family breakup
From both a human and financial perspective, the first year after separation, divorce, or the death of a partner is the most critical period in a family’s existence. It is extremely important, yet also very difficult, to overcome the challenges associated with this stage of life.
JEDEN RODIČ n.o. seeks to improve legislative support in cases of family breakup and to ensure equal treatment of mothers and fathers in raising their children, while maintaining absolute confidentiality and safety for all involved.
JEDEN RODIČ n.o. also aims to achieve legislative changes in favor of families, parents, and children in need who require state support and assistance. If a single parent loses employment, a trade license, or a business, they should receive special protection and be recognized as a disadvantaged job seeker when searching for new income opportunities. (For example: improving conditions for granting social benefits to single-parent families in need, increasing childcare allowances for families in need up to the child’s 18th year or completion of university studies, raising the tax bonus for single parents, and providing an additional supplement to child benefits when a child is raised by a single parent).
6. Traditional parenting is disappearing from society
The number of families where both mother and father live together with their children in one household has decreased. As children grow up, they will experience several different types of families. The number of children who have already lived in various types of family structures has become enormous.
JEDEN RODIČ n.o. seeks to continuously work on changing harmful stereotypes and prejudices that affect traditional parenting. Through counseling and guidance, we help parents achieve awareness, realization, and understanding so that the return to a desired “normal” life has as little negative impact on families as possible.
7. Loneliness and isolation are considered the biggest challenges for single parents
Handling life situations alone is the greatest challenge for single parents.
JEDEN RODIČ n.o. seeks to shorten the time it takes for a broken family to recover and transform into a new, stable family unit. We organize gatherings of different types of families, social circles, and safe spaces where parents and children in similar situations can meet, receive support, and connect with others who share their experiences.
8. Single-parent families are still considered stigmatized
Parents who raise their children alone often face pity or even disdain, even though most of them did not end up in this situation by choice.
JEDEN RODIČ n.o. seeks to promote the voluntary adoption of the principle that actions should always be directed in favor of the weakest link — the children.
9. Single parents cannot afford to provide the quality education for their children they would wish for on just one income.
Families in need, living on a single income, cannot afford to provide the kind of education their children’s talents deserve. Children are exceptional thanks to the upbringing and care their parents give them.
JEDEN RODIČ n.o. aims to ensure that every child has the right to quality education. We advocate for the introduction of educational vouchers for families in need where children are raised by a single parent. We also seek to improve conditions for such children by increasing and expanding social scholarships to include high school students from these families (e.g., for extracurricular activities, tutoring, boarding, supplies, computers, and more).
10. The working environment for mothers and fathers remains unhealthy
The working environment is unhealthy. All parents face stress from managing their time and balancing family and work life. This is even more challenging for single parents, who must handle both work and family responsibilities alone.
JEDEN RODIČ n.o. seeks to improve the working environment. We appeal to socially responsible organizations to jointly create a social program for single parents (e.g., protection from dismissal, 5 extra days of vacation, reduced working hours, remote work options, vacation contributions for single parents, and engaging employees as volunteers to support these families).
Zdroje: COFACE Families Europe, UNICEF, EU SILC 2018, EUROSTAT, Štatistický úrad SR, MPSVaR SR.