Help for single parents in southern Thuringia: The way out of unemployment

Help for single parents in southern Thuringia: The way out of unemployment

The challenges single parents face in the labor market should not be underestimated. Especially in the Wartburg district in southern Thuringia, it is clear that many single parents are struggling with difficulties. Numerous offers of help try to help these people. There are currently around 359 single parents living in southern Thuringia who are registered as unemployed. That's 27 more than last year. Single mothers are particularly hard hit: According to current statistics, 88 percent of unemployed single parents are women.

The situation is made even worse by the training gap. In fact, 47 percent of single parents do not have completed vocational training, which reduces their chances on the job market. Most of them work as helpers in retail, housekeeping or in the cleaning industry. These professions are not only characterized by low wages, but also offer little prospect for further professional development.

Offers of help and solutions

Various initiatives are active in the region that offer support to single parents. Such offers of help can be the key to sustainably improving the living situation of those affected. Programs designed specifically for single parents are particularly in demand. They aim to promote both professional qualifications and strengthen social networks in order to promote the independence of single parents.

The social policy requirements for supporting single parents have also increased. Research projects in several European countries examine the socio-economic framework conditions for single parents. The focus is not only on reduced labor force participation, but also on the high risk of poverty that single parents are exposed to. In Germany, these families are particularly affected because they receive state support less often than in countries like Sweden or France.

Health challenges and social participation

Health aspects also play an important role in the lives of single parents. They often report chronic health problems and restrictions in everyday life that further limit their options. The conditions for accessing disability benefits vary greatly, which represents an additional hurdle for many single parents.

Society is required to counteract these challenges. The living conditions of single parents could be significantly improved through targeted social reforms and active labor market policy. The aim should be to reduce poverty and promote labor market participation for single parents. This is the only way to bring these often overlooked families back into the center of society and enable them to lead a self-determined life.