A CHILDREN'S HOME AS A SUPPORT TO SINGLE PARENTS

Abstract

This study explores the dynamic relationship between single parents and one children's Home in Singapore. The characteristics of all the single parents with children in the Home were analysed quantitatively, and qualitative data was obtained from 15 (out of the population of 20) single parents through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The problems and issues faced by these single parents were examined. In addition, the help provided by their formal and informal support networks was identified in order to understand why these single parents turned to the Home for support. The major areas of social support provided by the Home as well as some stresses which resulted from the use of the residential solution were also highlighted. This research is exploratory in nature and the data obtained cannot be generalised to all single parents with children in residential care. The findings of this research confirmed what previous studies have found: that is, that single parents tend to face problems in the areas of child-care, work, finance, accommodation, time and health etc. In fact, the majority cited difficulties in juggling work with child-care responsibilities as the main reason for putting their child(ren) into the Home. Other stresses, such as having to look after an elderly parent or an intellectually disabled child, and separation from "spouse" as a result of laws and legislation were also highlighted. An important finding that surfaced was that some of these single parents found residential care a cheaper alternative to other child-care services. Moreover, this study has also noted that although most of the children in the Home do have regular contact with their custodial parent, a large number had little or no contact with their non-custodial parent. Over and above all, the Home was a crucial source of support for the single parents interviewed. However, it is not and cannot be a solution to all their problems. Thus policy makers and the social welfare sector need to look into the development of other support services for single parents - especially in the area of affordable non-residential child-care services.