parents grappling with financial insecurity are increasingly doubting their ability to adequately meet their children’s needs.. The study, released this week, paints a stark picture of the pressures faced by families in Germany, particularly highlighting the vulnerability of single-parent households and those with multiple children.
The research underscores that children themselves are not inherently a risk factor for poverty. Rather, the “structure” of the family unit is the defining element. While large families often experience elevated financial strain, single parents are disproportionately affected, consistently reporting feelings of inadequacy in their parental roles and a palpable sense of poverty impacting their daily lives.
Despite many single mothers working full-time, they and their children remain at the highest risk of poverty. This situation reveals a critical failure in current policy, suggesting that employment alone is not a reliable shield against financial hardship. The BiB’s findings challenge the narrative that simply encouraging workforce participation provides a sufficient solution.
Jan Brülle, a researcher at the BiB, stressed the necessity of a dual-pronged approach, advocating for both the promotion of economically viable employment opportunities “and” expanded state welfare support. The institute further argues that increased access to affordable childcare is crucial. The current scarcity of childcare places severely restricts opportunities for single parents and larger families, despite widespread expressions of need, effectively perpetuating a cycle of poverty and limited opportunity.
While the German government has made attempts to address poverty, the BiB’s research raises serious questions about the effectiveness of existing measures. The findings suggest a need for a more nuanced and comprehensive strategy that directly addresses the systemic vulnerabilities faced by families in precarious financial situations, moving beyond simple employment promotion to provide substantive and immediate economic relief.
