Abstract
In Britain, one child in four now lives in a single parent family, it is estimated that about one half to one third of the remaining children will find themselves a part of a single parent family at some time in their lives. In the UK alone, there are 1.7 million lone parents caring for 2.9 million children. People may find themselves dealing with a situation of single parenthood because of various circumstances such as bereavement, desertion by a partner, or a breakdown of their relationship. Around one third of such parents have even experienced domestic violence. Lone parents may equally be mothers or fathers, from any ethnic group or social class. However, what they have in common is that they generally they survive on a low income. 62 per cent of single parents live in poverty. Coping as a single parent is difficult for adults as well as for children and can lead to financial and social hardship. At the outset, it is necessary to explain the origin and context of this phenomenon that that is linked with the recent fundamental changes in the British society. We will thus begin with a study of the historical background of these changes in the families, and then detail the economical problems that lone mothers have to cope with. We will also study the social problems that affect such families, mainly the children and the particular problems faced by some single father families.
