What is it about?
When the lone mother starts work, her daily life changes in various ways, and so do the lives of her children. And other family members may also become involved in childcare, or in other forms of help. These social relationships – at home, in work, in care settings, at school – are important in helping lone mothers to stay in work.
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Why is it important?
Lone mothers are a key target group for welfare-to-work policies in the UK, and in many other countries. So understanding what helps to sustain employment is important.
Perspectives
This article draws on data from a study of lone mothers and their children that started about 15 years ago, when the mothers left benefits and started work. It includes interview with the children, as well as the mothers, providing both perpectives on work and family life. The longitudinal qualitative approach also means we can explore the details of change and continuity over time.
Professor Jane Millar
University of Bath
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Relationships of Care: Working Lone Mothers, their Children and Employment Sustainability, Journal of Social Policy, December 2008, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/s0047279408002572.
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