parents grappling with financial strain are increasingly doubting their ability to adequately meet their children’s needs.. The report, released this week, underscores a stark reality facing numerous German families, particularly those navigating single-parent households and larger family units.
The study’s findings challenge simplistic narratives around parenthood and poverty. While children are not inherently a poverty risk, the research emphasizes that family structure is a critical determinant of financial stability. Single parents, especially women, constitute a demographic disproportionately at risk of poverty, despite often working full-time. The BiB’s data reveals that single parents who perceive their income as insufficient are significantly more likely to express feelings of inadequacy regarding their parenting roles.
The findings have ignited a fresh debate regarding the efficacy of existing social safety nets and the potential for systemic failures. While employment is prevalent in affected households, the persistent risk of poverty points to issues beyond just access to work. The perception of inadequacy felt by single parents, in particular, suggests a deeper psychological burden stemming from the constant struggle to provide.
“It’s not simply about whether someone is employed” stated Pauline Kleinschömer, a researcher at BiB. “It’s about whether that employment provides a truly adequate standard of living.
Jan Brülle, another BiB researcher, echoed this point, stressing the need for a dual-pronged approach. “Adequate earning potential and robust state transfer payments must work in tandem to mitigate these poverty risks effectively”. Furthermore, the institute highlights a critical shortage of accessible childcare, hindering many single-parent households and families with multiple children from securing the support they desperately need, despite formally expressing a demand for such services. The lack of affordable and available childcare further exacerbates the challenges faced by these vulnerable families, triggering calls for a significant expansion of childcare infrastructure to ensure equitable access for all. The findings are expected to fuel political pressure for a reassessment of social policies and a renewed focus on supporting struggling families across Germany.