A Study On The Social Relief Of Impoverished Single Mothers

Worldwide large divorce prompted a large number of the increase in single-parent families. Because of the impact of the reform and opening-up and market economy, people’s family and marriage values have changed deeply. Since the1980’s in China, The divorce rate has risen and a large number of single-parent families have grown.90%are single-mother families of all single parent families. The weak position in the labor market and taking care of the children’s responsibilities make single mothers suffer from huge pressures of family care and the employment, and they are more likely to fall into poverty. With the study of female-headed households’ growth,"Women immiserizing" phenomenon has aroused the attention of the society, especially the poor single mothers.Current researches on social assistance for poor single mothers are fragmentary. In this study, by participating in "the comprehensive improvement projects for poor single mothers" in P area of Nanjing, nearly30poor single mothers are contacted during poor single mothers groups activities, and15poor singles mothers are detailed interviewed. Poor single mothers of the present situation of living are analyzed in detail in seven aspects. They are the economic status, physical condition, employment, housing needs, children education, mental health, and social support network.The contents of the social assistance for poor single mothers in P area of Nanjing and our country are presented. Deficiencies of the social assistance for poor single mothers are analyzed. Economic assistance in family income, health, employment, housing, and children’s education areas are mainly given to them. Goods assistance and service assistance are scattered and fragmentary. However the contents of the social assistance policy are lack of gender consciousness. The special difficulties of poor single mothers are not considered. The present assistance policy can not meet the needs of poor single mothers. The implementation of the policy effect is not good, as well as services for poor single mothers aid has yet to be established.According to the above situations, this study refers to the western social welfare policy of poor single mothers. Demanding for poor single mothers, western countries has established relatively complete social welfare system, containing liquidity assistance, goods assistance and service assistance.Finally put forward suggestions of perfecting our country’s social assistance for poor single mothers. Gender mechanism should be introduced in the process of social policy formulation. Increase the intensity of financial assistance, and adopt diversified forms of financial assistance to meet the needs of poor single mothers. Relevant law should be perfected to safeguard the rights and interests of minor children and to reduce the economic burden of poor single mothers. Goods assistance should be strengthened to enhance the function of social assistance. Employment assistance policies should be workable to raise poor single mothers human capital. Service assistance have to be established to provide targeted services.