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one-parent family

Also known as: single-parent family

Quick Summary

A one-parent family, also known as a single-parent family, consists of a parent living with their child or children without a husband, wife, or partner. Since the 1970s, these family structures have gained significant recognition, prompting a need for legal and administrative adaptations. These adaptations are crucial in areas such as child-welfare services, family support, employment assistance, and childcare provisions. Heads of single-parent households, particularly those with modest or low incomes, may face challenges in affording childcare while working or pursuing education.12

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