Plight of single-parent families

A significant part of my work involves reviewing scholarship applications, especially those designated as “special cases”—wherein the student or their family requires more support and assistance than what our nonprofit school typically offers. I have noticed that a notable number of these requests come from single-parent families.

One of the most touching stories I have come across involved a father who had asked us to accept his three daughters into the school after his wife had left them to start another family. Apart from lacking the financial capacity to give them quality education, he shared that he wanted to ensure his children would be surrounded by positive female role models, who could also help guide him in raising them well.

Another story is of a mother who, after the sudden loss of her husband, found herself and her two children in a precarious financial situation. Having been a housewife all her life, she was having difficulty finding employment that offered more than very minimal compensation.

A recent World Health Organization survey found there are 15 million single parents in the Philippines, with over 14 million (95 percent) being women. The arduous task of juggling work, child-rearing, and household responsibilities leaves many single parents unable to attain economic stability. A vast majority of single mothers in the Philippines are either struggling to meet their basic daily needs or barely managing to save enough money for their children’s futures.

The plight of solo parents in the country has long been acknowledged by the law. In June 2022, Republic Act No. 11861, or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act enacted to amend the previous Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000, increased the benefits granted to solo parents to help mitigate the socioeconomic challenges they face. Depending on the household’s income level, there are provisions for financial assistance, livelihood programs, flexible work arrangements, and priority in affordable housing projects. All these are crucial tools in enabling solo parents to secure a better future for themselves and their children.

A key contribution of RA 11861 is its broadened definition of a solo parent, covering a wider range of circumstances beyond the loss of a spouse, including those who are left to care for children due to annulment, abandonment, disappearance, or prolonged absence. The law also includes spouses, relatives, or guardians of children of overseas Filipino workers, specifically if the OFW is in low/semi-skilled work and has been abroad continuously for 12 months. This inclusivity represents a crucial recognition of the increasingly diverse circumstances of Filipino families and the need for our social systems to adapt accordingly.

The real challenge lies in its implementation. The effectiveness of RA 11861 should be measured by how well these provisions are being translated into tangible and accessible programs for single-parent households across the country. To access the benefits offered by the law, solo parents must register with their respective local government units. It would be beneficial to evaluate the proportion of single parents who have registered and to determine whether additional awareness efforts are necessary to ensure that a greater number of individuals take advantage of these opportunities.

Equally important is understanding the challenges related to well-being that single-parent households may face. Apart from financial strain, single parents are at a higher risk for psychological distress and feelings of emotional isolation. Research also indicates that children from lower-income single-parent families are more likely to exhibit behavioral issues in school which could lead to compromised educational performance and lower income in adulthood. A key factor behind this is the lack of guidance and supervision from the parent who might be forced to constantly choose between their livelihood and family responsibilities.

Given this, I am looking forward to learning more about the outcomes of the “Strengthening Opportunities for Lone Parents” program, or “Program SOLo.” Piloted in Lapu Lapu City last week, this initiative by the Department of Social Welfare and Development seeks to introduce psychosocial interventions aimed at enhancing family support as well as creating alternative care arrangements for children and dependents.

Supporting and empowering single parents is not merely a policy issue but a reflection of our values as a society that honors the dignity, resilience, and importance of every family, no matter its form.

eleanor@shetalksasia.com