This site is an archive of the OneSpace Forums. Return to forum index.
This site is an archive of the OneSpace Forums. Return to forum index.
Hi there, I'm a uni student in Korea and recently doing a research for a oversee visit program supported by LG. Through this program, we visit some organizations or corporations in foreign country related to our topic, and find out some sort of solutions by learning their works.
My topic is about a support for Single parents, which is a serious problem in Korea. In Korea, it's really really hard to live as a single parents esp if you are under 20. It's hard to get a financial support from government with its complecated process and strict conditions. And there are still lots of people who consider a single parents bad or ignorant. Money is the biggest problem tho. Ironically it's also not easy to have child get adopted becuz of complecated steps. So many young girls come to abandon their kids outside... Korea is having a problem becuz of its low birth rate but still dont care about people who need help and finally send their baby abroad or abandon. There r many organizations supporting them as One space here, still not enough yet.
Anyway, I found out many countries in EU have well established laws to support people who need help raising kids. Britain, too. I was impressed by how these government and organizations try to help single parents.
But still want to ask you a few of things. It's hard for me to understand all the thing as my English is not perfect :( I really appreciate your helps!!!!!
1. I've figured out that the government in Britain doesnt have specific department for single parents but they have various laws to help them in various departments, is it right?
(If it isn't Can u let me know the name of the department or the policy for them? )
And plus to that, the organizations like here support for single parents. Right?
2. Do you feel the support from the government is enough for u to raise a child while working?
3. Do u have any recommendation for me like suggesting other organizations or governmental departments in other countries in Europe as well as Britain? Or any advice from you, i would appreciate it!
I'll keep try to research more but since i have limited information, i will wait for ur helps. Thank you!!!
Hello daisy1101
it's a big topic and I will try to give you some helpful info.
There is no department for single parents as such. Single parents are entitled to claim a benefit called Income support until their child is aged 5 and then they are expected to look for work, as the child is at school. This is called The Work Programme and has caused some controversy as we have examples of single parents being treated unfairly (read this thread)
Once a parent is working more than 16 hours a week, they receive something called tax credits which is nothing to do with tax really, it is an extra family benefit. The amount depends on your wages, that is if you get a lower wage you get more help. This goes on until the child is 16, or 18 if the child stays in education.
The parent without day to day care of the child is expected to make a financial contribution to their upkeep but if that parent is not working, a small amount is deducted from their benefits.
People have different opinions about whether this support is enough. My own personal feeling is that if more support was given with housing costs then it would easier for single parents to move into work. I think that because this help is mostly withdrawn when a parent finds work then it feels like there is little point in working. I also think there should be better support for single parents studying (to get qualifications to get a better job) However, I must emphasis that these are my personal opinions and not neccessarily of this website or organisation.
You might also like to read this article and this thread.
As for other countries, do a google search on single parent support France (or whatever country). For more single parent support in the Uk look at Gingerbread
Good luck with your research!